There has been a quiet revolution in the world of cycling, and one that might have been overlooked by the leisure cyclist but for the radical technological and fashion developments involved. These changes have been noticeable not only in shirts and shorts, but in helmets and shoes too. Cycling shoes in particular have certainly not been priority gear for bikers in the past, except for professionals and those who have sustained injuries through not having the correct footwear. But the situation is changing dramatically. One of the biggest hazards in cycling for long distances, whether in a professional or casual capacity, has been the feeling of being strapped to the pedals and unable to free oneself instantly. Clip-less pedals changed this forever. Developed originally by the French ski-boot binding manufacturer Look during the 1980s, and based on its quick release ski bindings, clip-less pedals did away with straps by replacing them with a metal or plastic plate attached to the cycling shoe which in turn engages with the pedal. The idea was developed further by Shimano bringing these to the general public with the launch of SPD (Shimano Padalling Dynamics). Originally developed for mountain biking, the SPD cleat was soon a must have for touring and leisure cyclists who also benefit from its easy access and the fact that there are no toe-clips or straps to collect twigs, stones and mud, nor to create pressure on the foot. Another advantage of the recessed SPD cleat is that it does not come into contact with the ground when walking and so avoids the need to change footwear immediately after getting off the bike. This revolutionary idea led directly to new designs in cycling footwear. Looking through the ranges of cycling shoes shown in Friedrichshafen at the Eurobike 2002 exhibition, the overriding impression was of aerodynamic designs in a range of eye-catching colours with the emphasis on grip, both on the pedals and in shoe fastenings. Air and temperature control, weatherproofing, comfort, easy handling and safety all played their particular part in this high-tech revolution.