Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pedal for a bicycle that includes a body, a spindle rotatably secured to the body and for connection with the bicycle, a first magnetic platter non-rotatably secured within the body, and a second magnetic platter rotatably secured within the body and overlaying the first magnetic platter. The first and second magnetic platters each include two magnetic blocks that are separated and magnetically charged by a respective permanent magnet plate positioned therebetween. The second magnetic platter includes a keyed protrusion configured to be engaged by a ferrous metal cleat, which can rotate the second magnetic platter between a first position where the pedal is in a magnetically inactive state and a second position where the pedal is in a magnetically active state magnetically securing the cleat to the second magnetic platter.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pedal for a bicycle that includes a body, a spindle rotatably secured to the body and for connection with the bicycle, a first magnetic platter non-rotatably secured within the body, and a second magnetic platter rotatably secured within the body and overlaying the first magnetic platter. The first and second magnetic platters each include two magnetic blocks that are separated and magnetically charged by a respective permanent magnet plate positioned therebetween. The second magnetic platter includes a keyed protrusion configured to be engaged by a ferrous metal cleat, which can rotate the second magnetic platter between a first position where the pedal is in a magnetically inactive state and a second position where the pedal is in a magnetically active state magnetically securing the cleat to the second magnetic platter.

Footwear articles are fabricated with materials and includes a structure that enable the articles to be non-toxic, natural, biodegradable, and/or environmentally-friendly. The structure of the footwear articles is configured for a user's foot, including aspects which allow for precision rigidity or flexibility within the footwear article. The footwear articles are capable of including cycling footwear articles. The cycling footwear articles are further capable of including aspects which provide enough rigidity to couple to clipless pedal systems on a bicycle, and other aspects which allow for a flexibility when walking. Methods of forming the footwear articles and related packaging systems are provided, which also utilize non-toxic, natural, biodegradable, and/or environmentally-friendly materials.

A cycling shoe comprises a sole defining an undersurface of the cycling shoe, the sole having connection holes configured for connection of a pedal cleat to the sole. An upper is connected to the sole and defining with the sole a foot-receiving cavity. An expansion zone is located in a lateral or medial subportion of a metatarsal portion and/or toe portion of the cycling shoe and configured to be opposite a portion of at least a fifth metatarsal of a wearer of the cycling shoe, the expansion zone being entirely surrounded by a window of structural upper paneling and defined by at least one panel having a greater stretching characteristics than the structural upper paneling of the window.

A cycling shoe comprises a sole defining an undersurface of the cycling shoe, the sole having connection holes configured for connection of a pedal cleat to the sole. An upper is connected to the sole and defining with the sole a foot-receiving cavity. An expansion zone is located in a lateral or medial subportion of a metatarsal portion and/or toe portion of the cycling shoe and configured to be opposite a portion of at least a fifth metatarsal of a wearer of the cycling shoe, the expansion zone being entirely surrounded by a window of structural upper paneling and defined by at least one panel having a greater stretching characteristics than the structural upper paneling of the window.

A cycling shoe having a sole and an upper coupled to the sole. A projection portion extends off a bottom surface of the sole behind a cleat (attachment) portion of the sole. The projection portion has a first lateral side surface, a second lateral side surface an opposite side of the cycling shoe from the first lateral side surface, a bottom surface, and rounded lateral edges that connect each of the first and second lateral side surfaces to the bottom surface.

A cycling shoe having a sole and an upper coupled to the sole. A projection portion extends off a bottom surface of the sole behind a cleat (attachment) portion of the sole. The projection portion has a first lateral side surface, a second lateral side surface an opposite side of the cycling shoe from the first lateral side surface, a bottom surface, and rounded lateral edges that connect each of the first and second lateral side surfaces to the bottom surface.

A bicycle cleat-fitting tool system may include a body with a superior face and an inferior face. The body defines a cleat receptacle for receiving a cleat to be fitted, with the cleat receptacle perpendicular to a medial line of the body. The superior face of the body includes a cleat retaining mechanism to selectively hold a cleat to be fitted in place within the cleat receptacle. The body also includes angle measurement indicia to indicate a degree of rotation of the body and the cleat receptacle with respect to a bicycle shoe to be fitted with the cleat. Methods for determining an accurate toe-out angle and angle of adjustment for the cleat are also described.

A bicycle cleat-fitting tool system may include a body with a superior face and an inferior face. The body defines a cleat receptacle for receiving a cleat to be fitted, with the cleat receptacle perpendicular to a medial line of the body. The superior face of the body includes a cleat retaining mechanism to selectively hold a cleat to be fitted in place within the cleat receptacle. The body also includes angle measurement indicia to indicate a degree of rotation of the body and the cleat receptacle with respect to a bicycle shoe to be fitted with the cleat. Methods for determining an accurate toe-out angle and angle of adjustment for the cleat are also described.

A shoe includes a sole, an upper and a strap. The upper is attached to the sole. The strap extends in a width direction of the shoe. The strap includes a proximal end fixed to the upper and a distal end located on an opposite side of the proximal end in the width direction of the shoe. One of the upper and the strap includes at least one first engaging portion, whereas the other of the upper and the strap includes at least one second engaging portion that is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion while extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shoe where the distal end is held against the upper.