Lake CX400-not just Another Lake shoe with wide offerings

Lake Cycling has long been our go to for wide fitting cycling shoes. This goes back to our first experiences with the collection fitting largely the leather road shoes, the CX237s. Since those early offerings, the whole collection from Lake has evolved and each shoe style has been improved and redesigned. As each model has been subtly updated, the aesthetics have also changed, and in many cases, improved.

The CX400 is not a completely new shoe, but it certainly feels like it. Based on the CX400 series that captures the CX410, CX402 and CX403, the CX400 runs a deep carbon chassis to create the feeling of stiffness and whole hind foot support that many riders cherish. The fiber in the carbon ‘boat’ is not heat moldable relying more on gradual internal lining adaptation to create that secure fit.

So, who is this new shoe for? As a rider who raced in the CX402 for a few years, I thought I’d give my opinion as to who this shoe most suits.

I personally loved the CX402. The shoe was tricky to bed in initially and needed to be molded to make it comfortable. This remains the challenge with the CX403. Off the rack, it feels pinchy in the heel, but once modded, the shoe’s carbon boat feels supportive and secure. As the CX403 is a top-level shoe with a price to match, many cyclists are nervous about buying as once you’ve molded the shoe, there’s no going back. I’ve had to hold the hands of a number of cyclists as they made this journey.

The CX400 holds none of these fears. Out of the box it fits. That’s not to say that every foot will be in love with the heel counter, but it’s unbelievably more forgiving and comfortable than the previous models. Whilst not plush, there is enough generous felt and lining to give the shoe a comforting hold while not feel flabby. The Clarino upper holds its shape well with only subtle flex giving the mid foot a secure fit also. As is typical of Lake shoes, the toe box is super generous with enough space to accommodate all but the largest standard deviation of foot widths.

When in use, the biggest single shift this shoe presents is its weight. This shoe comes in 75 grams lighter per shoe in a size 41 over the CX403. And you can feel it. There’s no question the mega fans of Lake who longed for a lighter offering of the more supportive versions of these shoes will be celebrating exuberantly. The CX303 is still the weight weenie of the bunch (and a new summer version of the CX303 is on the horizon offering an even lighter footprint) but the foot feel isn’t the CX400. This shoe feels structured, supportive, comfortable - and light. It’s certainly a tremendous benefit of this model.

The other huge pro for this shoe is the aesthetics. The CX400 is stripped back, simple and elegant. Minimal branding, clean lines are the order of the day. It’s certainly the best-looking shoe Lake has produced to date based on looks alone (my personal view). This doesn’t count for much for many purists, but for those tempted to dip their toe into the water with the Lake brand for the first time, it' might get them over the line. You get good looks and comfort combined, what’s not to like!?

For me, this shoe is a must have for those who want the lake feel and width, but a different look. In the standard width offering, the shoe fits similarly to the CX239 and the CX333 standard. In the wide fit, it sits a fraction narrower than the CX239 wide and the CX333 wide. As mentioned, the extreme widths of fit are probably better heading to those offerings, but those who trend towards the narrower side of wide (is that even a thing?!) this shoe will be suitable.

Overall, it’s a great outcome for Lake. This shoe has been in the wings for a while, but now it’s out, there’s going to be a bunch of converts. I’d give it a solid 9/10. And yes, we have a few in stock.

RRP $649.99

Pros

• Width

• Aesthetics

• Weight

• Perfomance

• Far cheaper than the CX333 and the CX403

Cons

• Not as cheap as the CX239 :)

• That is all

Nathan's off to Sea Otter, what's that?!

Head Podiatrist Nathan heads off this weekend for meetings with partners at the Sea Otter Bike Expo and Health Conference in Girona. Whilst he was keen to stay in Brisbane as the season shifts to summer, the relationships with our key partners such as Lake Cycling and many international Bike fitters needs to occasionally take priority. Sea Otter is the largest bike expo annually occurring in both Girona and the USA. Many of the latest technologies and concepts feature here and it’s a great chance to ensure the business remains at the forefront of equipment and information advances as they happen.

Never fear though, in his absence we are stoked to announce that our star Physiotherapist Rhys Robotham has finally agreed to commence a full time role with us at The Pedaler. Rhys has worked for us for many years on a part time capacity mixing his time at The Pedaler with generalist physiotherapy. He has become a vital cog in our operations, and his increased availability is a wonderful benefit for all our our athletes and clients.

We are also exited to add more Podiatry consults with Paul Mather who has become a dab hand at shoe fitting and prescription. With plenty of new stock rolling in, we should be able to set you up for your summer rides in some comfy kicks before it gets hot.

So whilst the head honcho is away, it’s business as usual. Nathan will be a little busier than usual when he gets back, but if you need a consult, give us a call and we can put you on our wait list where there are always cancellations.

Enjoy the change of seasons all. We’ll be bringing you the news from Sea Otter when Nathan gets back as well as some exciting shoe updates.

The Pedaler Team

More Practitioners, more facilities, more space, more everything!

As the year progresses, we wanted to share a few important updates with our community.

First, our physiotherapy team has added extra days to accommodate the high demand for our physio and bike fitting services. Kat and Rhys are managing the schedule, and we hope to add even more availability soon.

We have also taken over the reins from Bike Fit Studio West End. With Nick Formosa relocating to Saudi Arabia, we have partnered to look after his clients, ensuring all follow-ups and refits are seamlessly handled.

As a result, we have acquired new equipment, including a fully adjustable pre-fit bike to tailor your ideal setup before you purchase a new bike or frame. We have also added a new upstairs gym space to provide advanced exercise rehabilitation.

Finally, we have new Lake and Bont shoe options arriving soon, so if you’ve been thinking of getting a professional cycling shoe fitting, now might be the time.

Contact us with any of your bike health needs. We are here to help.

Gym

Make the most of your health fund before Dec 31 rolls around and win an extra treat for you!

The Pedaler community knows we love to give back at this time of year. We have been offering our ‘no gap’ second set option every year since we kicked off here in 2015 and this year is no exception. As a special bonus to our returning clients, everyone taking up their second set offering this year will go into the running to win one of three prizes.

Prize 1.

Full Custom Bike Fit or Running Assessment

Prize 2.

Full Race Team Attaquer Kit 2026 ed.

You can book online here or give us a call on 0421173224 to organise your ‘no gap’ set for 2025. If your foot molds are damaged, we will get you in asap for a recast and the offer is still applied.

Remember ‘no gap’ applies to clients with applicable health insurance that covers orthotics. If you don’t have health insurance that covers orthotics or your insurance doesn’t cover enough, we can still make you a second set for $300 plus consult fee.

Time flys and it gets very busy in December so book now to avoid missing out. Prizes drawn Jan 2nd 2026.

Lake CX201/MX201 - Barefoot cycling shoe or just a cracking problem solver?

Cx

Recently there’s been some online chat regarding barefoot shoes for cycling. As a Podiatrist with over 25 years of experience, the term barefoot shoes still triggers a little PTSD. Not because the concept behind it isn’t salient, but because the idea of a barefoot ‘shoe’ by definition is incongruous. Essentially, a more appropriate term would be ‘shoe without any upper structure or sole padding that still can protect your feet from glass’. Whether you want to run in that shoe is up to debate. If it were faster, then i’m sure many would embrace it. The cynical would still suggest there’s a commercial element at play. I’ve used both and I prefer running in standard shoes - I feel better and I certainly run faster. I also look less ‘odd’ at park run and at the end of the day, I’m too self conscious of my appearance to pull it off.

Now we enter a period where the idea of barefoot cycling shoes has taken root. Again, this may be because the idea of an alternative shoe to those who like foot freedom sounds awfully appealing and may trigger a new marketing niche. It is entirely possible to ride a bike barefoot on flat pedals and you are also much less likely to get glass in your feet than when you run! But would you really want to?

If you’re after freedom at any price, then go for it! However, there are a large number of studies out there that have reliably demonstrated that being clipped into the pedals is much more efficient and able to deliver more average power than when you are riding in sandshoes on flat pedals. (I couldn’t find any studies that compared genuine barefoot pedalling to clipped in cycling - unsurprising I guess but it would be a page turner!). This is perhaps the sweet spot where new barefoot styled shoes have their moment in the sun.

The CX201 (and MX201) certainly fall into this category. They are cycling shoes that feel like you are wearing smoking slippers - in a good way. The upper and toe box are super wide, and the material is also incredibly stretchable. There is only a single Li2 Boa to fasten the shoe so the fitment isn’t super tight. The synthetic leather is soft and pliable around the heel - although a lot firmer than a traditional barefoot running shoe. As a consequence of this design you can barely feel the forefoot inside the shoe. This is where the concept of a ‘barefoot’ cycling shoe essentially comes from.

Does this make them comfortable - absolutely. If you have bunions, protuberances or sore spots on your lumpy feet, then these are the shoe for you! Do you want your feet to feel unencumbered by the shoe and have zero compression from side to side, then these are the shoe for you. All this comfortable luxury still strapped to a quality carbon sole for pedal stroke efficiency. You could argue that the carbon sole deletes some credibility from the barefoot concept, however, having ridding 90km in sandshoes on a TT bike, carbon is way better as a conduit to the pedal than foam. Waaaaaay better.

This shoe has been a game changer for many of our patients. Many of this cohort almost gave up cycling before the option of these shoes came along. Thats a huge win for the Lake CX/MX201. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not.

If you desire firmness, structure, connectivity and the idea of efficient power transfer, than these are not the shoe for you. Pick your options amongst essentially any other shoe on the market for this and that’s fine. But if you are in the corner of the market that needs a problem solved, then this is it!!

Is it a barefoot shoe - not really. Does it offer hope to people who need enormous pressure relief - absolutely! Is it markedly different to every other shoe on the market - 100%. There is nothing else like it. Well done to Lake Cycling for building it. It’s a necessary tool in the shoe arsenal. It doesn’t mean that I’ll be wearing it, but I know dozens who will and will love it.

To read more about the complete design features and materials, click here.

EOFY - It's tax time, and health fund reset time as well.

June 30 marks the end of another financial year, and also the reset period for AHM, Defence Health among others. It’s a good time to hit the reset button and update your bike position, replace your ageing orthotics or manage those aches and pains with a physiotherapy session.

We now have 3 fitters on staff who can set your bike up to your needs. We also have 3 physiotherapists who can work on strengthening your body to help hold and drive that position on the bike.

Remember, as always we offer a 2nd set ‘no gap’ policy for existing clients using their existing foot molds/scans so contact us to see if we can set up a new pair for cycling shoes, runners or those special pair of work slippers.

Contact us online or give us a call and we can get you sorted before you get busy sending in those tax returns.

Lake CX239 - How does it compare to the CX238?

A new incarnation has landed. The Lake CX239 arrives after over 5 years of CX238 comfort. The old CX238 had the width and leather softness that made it a favorite of bike fitters and retailers alike. Does the upgrade keep the dream alive?

When you change a much loved shoe, there is a lot on the line. ‘I like your old stuff better than your new stuff’ is a genuine theme that runs through retail (and music for that matter!). There were some features of the CX238 that needed a tweak and thankfully Lake has addressed those emphatically.

The parts we loved are still there. The soft leather options remain and allow this shoe to bed in beautifully over time. The sexy Li2 Boas remain and they are great at mirco-tuning your fit. The wide carbon race sole remains - stiff enough and wide enough for most feet and riding styles. It’s the new additions that add a lot to the series.

Aesthetics - whilst most users of the CX238s were not at all fussed with how the shoes looked, for some the design features and branding looked a little dated. Because the shoe is designed to be wide, it makes it trickier to not emphasise this feature for those who wish to have Italian looking feet.

The new CX239 has managed to recreate the upper design which makes the shoe look a lot sleeker and less ‘agricultural’. More judicious use of mesh inlays and a prettier patterning in the leather make the entire shoe look a lot more contemporary. After seeing hundreds of pairs of CX238s in the last few years, spying the new CX239 immediately made you realise that some heavy groundwork had been performed in the design department. Does it change the shoes comfort? - probably not, but it certainly will convince a few 50/50 users to commit.

Heel Closure - This was probably the one feature on the old shoe that from a function perspective needed to improve. The new heel retention feel aided by the one piece tongue design really grabs the foot and supports it in a way not before felt in this series of shoes. The one piece tongue also looks a lot more minimalist than previous designs. I’d expect that the leather fatigue on the trim of the tongue will fare a lot better than previous models. Finding the correct fit though is crucial, as the new tongue sensation will take a little getting used to. As the lip softens, the fit improves, but the edge can feel more obvious in those with less prominent arch profiles to begin with. We also find that with adequate arch support added into the shoe (which can be done with the addition of the Cobra9 SemiPro) the throat of the shoe feels more comfortable. That said, some with super sensitive dorsal (upper) foot anatomy may need some help initially to bed this feature in.

In the same vein as the CX239, the new MX239 borrows most of the same features as the road shoe and also improves its aesthetics as well. This review essentially could relate to both offerings.

Overall, the Lake CX239 remains the go to shoe for those who want a sense of leather support (clarino is still offered) and a wide, spacious toe box. We have found that the early adopters really like the new visuals and still love the space within. It’s great when a company (or a band!) brings out a great follow up offering. In this case, Lake have managed to slide into the 25’s with the best of both worlds.

Pros

Wide - yeah!!

Soft Leather and Clarino uppers

Carbon soles

Awesome Boas

Great closure system with tongue

Way better on the eye

Better lasting tongue design

Cons

Still a little heavier than some advanced shoe offerings (the CX302 fills this void)

Tongue may need a little time to soften for some

Overall - 9/10 - Getting it done!!

Want to try a pair on? We have some stock on hand so you can book a shoe fitting and we can make sure the new Lake CX239 is the shoe for you!

Photos @fatpidgeon

Should I be doing strength exercises as a cyclist?

Get strong in a dynamic position. Rider Christian Tuminello.

We’ve been busy increasing our workforce over the past few months and Physio Jake Melvin joined us at the start of 2025. With a strong background in strength and conditioning, his focus is getting cyclists to get more out of their bodies and build strength to overcome pain.

We asked him to set us up with some basic starter exercises for most cyclists and he has! You can read about it below.

Jake is available every Wednesday and can tailor and strength and conditioning program for you so you too can get the most from your riding,

Enjoy!!

YES!

As cyclists, we are used to training for hours and hours, racking up the kms and chasing segments. But what if I told you that strength training can take as little as 20-30 minutes 2-3 times per week and will reduce your risk of injury as well as improve your performance.

Here at The Pedaler we have been treating cyclists for over 10 years with Physiotherapists who specialise in getting cyclists stronger and moving better.

So why isn’t everyone doing it?

In essence, the stronger our bodies are for the task we are completing, the better we will be at doing it and the lower the risk of injury. So, why isn’t everyone doing it? It’s likely that most people have tried strength and conditioning or heard of it at some stage, but what we do at The Pedaler is tailor the exercises to you depending on your injury, cycling goals and body. What I tend to get asked by patients who are in pain or looking for guidance is “I think it’s my hamstring but I’m not sure what to do about it.” Or “I tried stretching and it helped a bit but it’s still not better.” This is where our experienced Physiotherapists ask more questions and complete the right tests during an assessment to get the correct answer.

We can help identify imbalances between muscle groups, leg to leg or overworked muscles and then create a plan to address this. This plan will be specific exercises to improve your cycling endurance, muscle strength or efficiency. For example: Below is a Bulgarian split squat. A challenging exercise to any who have tried it, but it is incredible for improving hip and leg strength / stability, and most importantly very cycling specific.

Coupling this with some other targeted exercises 2-3 times per week progressing in difficulty each week, is just one example of what your personal plan may look like. If you are interested in getting advice regarding an injury or if you’re interested in completing some strength training to improve your cycling then please get in touch and book an appointment with us!