Shims to make the cleat less recessed????

I just bought some Nashbar brand SPD MTB pedals to replace an old pair I had on my MTB. I attached the cleats to my Specialized shoes and found that I could not clip in. I had a friend inspect what was happening when I was trying to clip in and it appears that the sole or tread on the MTB shoes is interferring with my ability to clip in. The cleat is too recessed. I have been looking around online for shims that will push the cleat further out and haven't been able to find anything. The Specialized shoes are older and didn't come with any adapters or shims (got them off of ebay). I am not sure what to do at this point. Do they make shims for SPD cleats? Should I just get different shoes?

although i can't see your shoe, i wonder if you can't just sand down part of the sole.

I have already done that to some bike shoes for another reason and was very happy with the result.

I just use my Dremel tool to grind down the contact points.

I agree with SadieKate. We've had to do this on mtb shoes before when the sole was rather agressive/thick. If you were to find a shim for the cleat, you would also have to get a longer bolt. You would want to be sure enough bolt can grab the threads.

I ran into this problem this last summer. I had purchased a new pair of road shoes (sidi) from steepandcheap...heck of a deal. When it came time to use them for a race, I found that my SPD cleats didn't work out.

I brought them into REI and one of the guys in the cycling department told me about some shims that were often used with another brand of cleat (crank brothers). He went back to their bike maintenance area - found a set of the shims and using those - they put the cleats on for me. It was a tight fit, but it has worked out great. I haven't had any problems with them.

I'd be happy to take a picture of the set-up if you're at all interested. Might be worth trying it before you take a grinder to your stuff. You can always return the crank brothers materials if it doesn't work out.

What about washers along with longer screws?

Karen

Cleats typically have little bumps on the back which need to bite into the sole of the shoe for positioning and lacking of twist, etc. Metal washers would probably prevent this.

I do own a Dremel tool. :D That is certainly an option I will consider. I may also check with my local bike shop to see if they have any shims and longer screws that will work. Thanks for the suggestions. Sheesh, you would think that cycling shoe companies would test their shoes with various pedal systems to trouble-shoot for this kind of thing! These are standard SPDs, afterall. Hmmph. :confused:

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Cleats typically have little bumps on the back which need to bite into the sole of the shoe for positioning and lacking of twist, etc. Metal washers would probably prevent this.

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Yeah, I thought about that after I posted...they'd be wiggling in the recessed area and would probably wear out the part where the screws attach really quickly.

Karen

Yep, that's the first thing the bike guys tried to do on my shoes (the washers and longer screws thing) - didn't work for the very reasons you mentioned. Thus, getting them to think creatively and move onto the crankbrothers attachment.

Normally, I would have gone to my LBS - but I didn't realize the problem until later in the night...and the LBS stores were closed. Everything happens for a reason, I guess - because the solution the REI guys set me up with has worked like a charm.

I was finally able to clip in. I loosened the pedals up a bunch, lubed them with a dry spray lube and physically (with my hands) clipped the shoes in and out of the pedals over and over. The tread is touching the pedal (barely), but loosening up the pedals a bunch helped. I guess they were just stiff and then the tread was getting in the way just a bit - not helping the situation. I had the Dremel out and ready to go, but I don't think I will need to trim. We'll see! Thanks for all of the suggestions!

That's great news! I hope it keeps working for you. Good luck!