GEAR JUNKIE

Clip in with the BG S-WORKS MTB bike shoe from Specialized, and you'll feel an immediate connection to that perfect circle you're attempting to spin on the cranks below. The $250 shoes are shaped to isolate arch movement and compensate for a foot's tendency to tilt, creating better alignment for a more efficient pedal stroke, according to the company.

To test the theory, I biked with the BG S-WORKS for three months and a few hundred miles of saddle time. The fit felt tight side-to-side, although I learned to like the snug and precise feel while pedaling. The shoe's cant, which tilts the foot slightly while cranking, also grew on me.

I am a convert to the ergonomic features of the shoe. They are solidly built and show almost no wear after testing. For racers and serious mountain bikers, they can provide a gain in comfort and performance that might give an edge.

STEPHEN REGENOLD