You had to work well for cycling. Stiff soles and leather uppers have always been a good recipe for shoes to wear on my bike. Unfortunately for over 6 months I have been trying to break them in using both elastic shoes and mink oil repeatedly. The outsole remains too stiff, as does the leather upper. Shoes fit well but become painful after a few hours of cycling. After decades of cycling in running shoes, I haven't had this problem with any other pair of running shoes I've owned. I've given up trying to make them more comfortable and am in the process of replacing them.