In April of 2010 we traveled to Running Warehouse in San Luis Obispo, CA to meet the employees and make preparations for the Shoefitr launch on their site. While there, we spent some time running around all the great trails that area has to offer. We often went for a run at Johnson Ranch during our lunch breaks. On one such run, we met Scott Smith, one of the owners of Arts Cyclery. Scott is a former Triathlete (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=236312216401064) and a bike enthusiast. During our run, we talked to Scott about buying bike shoes online and Scott thought Shoefitr could help. Although biking footwear is a secondary component to the actual bikes, getting the right fit is extremely important to having a good ride. Bike shoes are generally more rigid than running shoes which means there is a smaller tolerance for fitting imperfections. It also means that a better fitting shoe will help the biker more efficiently transfer power from his/her legs to the pedals. We told Scott we would keep in touch and went our separate ways. Scott had to get back to the office as he was preparing for an event the next day in which famed ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes was stopping by Art’s Cyclery on his 500 mile Elliptigo tour of California (http://www.elliptigo.com/products/experts/dean-karnazes/).

Over the course of the following year we talked to Scott a few times and in Spring 2011 we made plans to scan all the bike shoes he carries and get the application up on his site. We traveled to Art’s Cyclery in early June to scan Scott’s entire warehouse. The employees at Art’s were great and extremely knowledgeable. All of the employees ride and many of them were avid mountain bikers. They would often head out for a ride before work or during lunch. One night during our visit, Scott and the guys at Art’s took us to Bike Night in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. On the first Thursday of each month hundreds of bikers take to the streets and ride laps around the city. People dress up in ridiculous outfits which makes the whole event even more entertaining. We had a great time.

Shoefitr went live on Artscylery in late June and has received some great feedback from Art’s Customers:

• “This feature is the best way to “test fit” a new shoe online. I love it!!!”
• “Awesome!”
• “Very specific information. SMART SALES”

If you love to bike and need some new shoes, give Shoefitr a try at artscyclery.com!