Fitting SPD cleats to XC50

[Ootini]

Hi all,

I've just picked up a pair of Shimano XC50s and I'm about to fit my SPD cleats. However, it immediately seems a little more complex than I'd at first imagined. I think I've got it cracked, but as they're new toys I don't want to cock it up and knacker something.

I've pulled the insole of the shoe out and there's another beige padded insole that appears to be glued to the main sole. It has a perforated section right above the cleat holes, which I'm assuming is to be cut out to allow access to the back of the bolt holes. Am I correct in think I simply cut one side away, fit the cleat then fold the pad back down, as opposed to cut it out completely and throw it away?
After I do this, do I need to tape the flap down? The cleats include a pair of crappy square stickers which I believe are designed for this purpose, however I'm thinking a strip of gaffer tape would be far more effective.
My cleats include a washer and plate which appears to be designed for shoes without threaded bolt holes, so the bolts would go straight through the shoe and be screwed into this plate on the inside. Is this essential if my shoes already have threaded bolt holes?
Am I also correct in thinking that the reason the shoe has four bolt holes is simply for positioning and adjustment? the front holes are no more or less significant than the two holes behind?

 

[Ootini]

I've just fitted a cleat to one of the shoes (only hand tight) and noticed I didn't need to faff with the insole at all. Just bolted the cleat, via the washed to the thread holes already inside the shoe. This seems to simple, am I missing something?

 

[Ootini]

Yep, yep, I'm being thick. I believe the internal retainer plate that came with my cleats is simply for shoes that don't have one already installed, which my Shimano's do. So please ignore the above posts, I've just bolted the cleats directly to the preinstalled retainer plates and not hacked up my insoles at all. Happy.

 

[raleighnut]

The cutaway on the insole is in case you strip threads on the cleat retaining plate, then you can remove that section and replace the plate which may be the same as the one they've given you (or it might not )

 

[Levo-Lon]

I have xc50 shoes and yes just bolt cleat to sole as plate already fitted inside And yes you would only need to cut out or remove insole if the thread on the plate was crossed or damaged..

 

[Ootini]

been for a couple of rides on using the spds now. I'm having no trouble unclipping, but getting back in is a bit annoying, I can't quite "feel" where the cleat is so sometimes it takes a few goes and snapping back in. Either way, once I'm in, I love them!