My first clip-less pedals and shoes - what am I doing wrong!!

[Sunny Portrush]

Hi,

I purchased a pair of shoes and pedals with the notion of going clip-less. I checked to see that both were compatible (ie they both say they are SPD) but for the life of me, I can`t seem to build them up as the wee screws are not long enough.

The shoes don`t have a recess so do I just build up the cleat on the flat bottom of the shoe or is it a case of buying slightly bigger screws.

I was going to try and attach some pics to help show what I mean but am not quite sure what do do, despite the fact I have done so already! Bear with me lol

I should point out that one of the small silver plates has been inserted in the mid-sole as per instructions - help!

 

[hobbitonabike]

Mine just came as a complete cleat which screwed to the shoe. These look like they need indepth instructions that all men would just ignore

They look like spd-sl shoes to me as there seems to be no recess into the shoe but as I am no expert I could very well be wrong!!

I've not been much help really, have I??

 

[ianrauk]

The shoes do have holes/slots for the 2 bolt SPD system and you seem have the bolts in the right place. Have you tried using the black plates rather then the silver ones?

(pics are not all that clear on a computer monitor)

 

[Spinney]

Did you get them from a shop, or online?
If shop, might be easiest to take them back if you can and ask them!

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Thanks all - there was one instruction sheet with a series of diagrams and no written instructions - I`m not eveb sure i`m building the cleat the right way up lol. Shoes came from Sports Direct so I don`t think they will know. Is it just a case of needing longer bolts because once I built the cleat up and try to attach it, the bolts wont reach the housing under the shoe so to speak or can I put the sliver plate on the sole and build from there??

 

[Diggs]

Try this and apologies if you have already

If you number the parts 1 2 3 4 5 downwards:
Drop the Bolts (5) into bolt holders (3) which in turn fit in the recess of the cleats (3).
The other serrated side of the cleat (3) fits against the sole of the shoe.
I'm assuming the bolts (5) should then screw into the remaining black things with 2 holes (4) which sits in the shoe (possibly with/protected by the silver bit (1)


So try putting 5 into 3 into 2 and see if that fits into to shoe screwed against 4 (with 1 presumable as a bit of reinforcement in the shoe)

 

[Spinney]

Is it possible that the silver bits are not needed in all shoes?

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Try this and apologies if you have already

If you number the parts 1 2 3 4 5 downwards:
Drop the Bolts (5) into bolt holders (3) which in turn fit in the recess of the cleats (3).
The other serrated side of the cleat (3) fits against the sole of the shoe.
I'm assuming the bolts (5) should then screw into the remaining black things with 2 holes (4) which sits in the shoe (possibly with/protected by the silver bit (1)


So try putting 5 into 3 into 2 and see if that fits into to shoe screwed against 4 (with 1 presumable as a bit of reinforcement in the shoe)

It may be a case that I don`t need "No 4 -bolt holders" as there are already bolt holders in the shoe - I`ll give it a whirl after tea - need some food to feed brain lol

 

[nuttall1991]

As a matter of coincidence I ordered these exact shoes last night and are waiting to be fettled with when I get home, I'll keep you posted.

 

[bikingdad90]

Does the silver plate that goes under the sole of the shoe have threaded holes to screw the screw into?

I had a black fixing plate that came with the shoe that looks like it's missing and you just have a silver spacer?

 

[ColinJ]

As far as I can see, you basically have the wrong type of shoes - sorry!

SPD cleats are supposed to be totally recessed into the sole of the shoe so you can walk about on them.

Like this ...

 

[ianrauk]

As far as I can see, you basically have the wrong type of shoes - sorry!

SPD cleats are supposed to be totally recessed into the sole of the shoe so you can walk about on them.

Like this ...

View attachment 38045

Wrong Colin.
Some road shoes you can use SPD MTB cleats.

 

[ianrauk]

Installing SPD MTB Cleats on road shoes video. May help


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SZEdKSiy3k

 

[ColinJ]

Wrong Colin.
Some road shoes you can use SPD MTB cleats.

I'm not saying that you can't bolt them on, but without recesses for the cleats, aren't you just going to be standing on chunks of metal off the bike, slipping about on tiled floors, and wrecking the cleats?

Also - I find that the 'pontoons' either side of the cleat help to stabilise the foot on the SPD pedal. Without them, I think the shoe would rock about when pedalling.

Having said that - I have never tried SPD cleats on road shoes.

 

[ColinJ]

PS If you can convince me that it is a good idea, I might take the Look cleats off my SIDI road shoes and try SPDs on them!