Shims to make the cleat less recessed????

[kaian]

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?

[mimitabby]

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.

[SadieKate]

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

[bike4ever]

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.

[three]

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.

[Tuckervill]

What about washers along with longer screws?

Karen