Lake MTB Shoes/Boots--Question for SheFly (or anyone else)

[Velobambina]

SheFly (or anyone else who can help!) -- I ordered the Lake MTB winter boots you recommended, along with the SIDI winter boots (MTB), and I'm trying to decide which to keep.
How the heck do you mount the cleats on the Lakes? I won't do it unless I decide to keep them, but in advance, I was wondering how to put the cleats on. I have SPD cleats. There are no instructions with the boots and I checked Lake's website. No luck. They gave me some hardware (bolts, screwdriver, etc.) Should I use those screws or the ones that came w/my cleats? HELP.
Also, those boots are really solid/thick in the sole (Herman Munster shoes), so I was wondering how they affect your pedaling & ability to clip in and out. They seem more like hiking boots than cycling gear!!
The SIDIs are much more like cycling shoes, but I'm not sure they will be as warm as the Lakes (they also cost a lot more than the Lakes, which I got on sale at Performance). The SIDIs are Gore-tex, which is good, and are lined. But they are fabric and the Lakes are solid leather. This is going to be a tough decision, because I really love my non-winter Sidi Doms and the feel of the Sidi winter shoe. The Lakes feel really clunky because of the thick Herman Munster sole.

[SheFly]

Let me check with my resident mechanic (DH) and get right back to you...

FWIW - I don't have any trouble getting clipped in or out with these shoes.

I'm on a conference call at the moment, but will get back to you on this tonight.

SheFly

[chickwhorips]

bf put mine on for me and i think he used all the screws and workings from my spds.

they are really easy to clip in and out of.

[SheFly]

Velobambina - I just checked in with DH. You have to cut the sole of the Lakes to mount the SPD cleats, so MAKE SURE you are going to keep them first. There should be an oval template on the sole that is where you would cut for the cleats. This will put the cleat FLUSH with the bottom of the sole.

I have attached a pic of my Lakes with the cleat mounted. Let me know if this helps, or if you have any other questions.

These are more like a hiking boot. I use Sidis for my MTB shoes, and don't have an issue moving to these in the cold temps given how warm they keep my feet. We also get snow, and I don't have a problem with the snow sticking in the shoes or cleats.

I still HIGHLY recommend this shoe for cold temps!

SheFly

[chickwhorips]

I still HIGHLY recommend this shoe for cold temps!

hmm... didn't know mine were cut. i'm going to have to look at them again. i have the exact same pair you do in your pic.

and i recommend it also! they are the best and super comfy.

[DebW]

Do the spd cleats and pedals ice up if you step down on snow? I can imagine someone finishing a snowy winter ride and being stuck to their bike until a helpful friend comes out and pours hot water over their pedals.

[chickwhorips]

i haven't had any problems with that at all. though it is funny to think of someone having to come out and pour hot water on my feet.

[DebW]

i haven't had any problems with that at all. though it is funny to think of someone having to come out and pour hot water on my feet.

I'm thinking of how wet snow sometimes balls up on crampons.

I suppose you could always take your shoes off and walk through the snow in your socks if your cleats froze to the pedals.

[SheFly]

I have ridden in temps as low as -5F and NEVER had a problem with my cleat freezing to my pedal. Warm water over my foot may have been nice though .

Most ANY MTB shoe will get snow that freezes around the cleat. This won't freeze the cleat to the shoe, but will make it a bit challenging on occasion to get clipped back into your pedals. Often in the winter the scene is somthing along the lines of riding blissfully, stopping to wait (and no close object on which to lean so you don't have to unclip), unclipping and putting TOE only on the snow! Figures that something happens, whole foot goes down into the snow. Time to start back up, get on bike, MADLY beat feet against pedals and crank arms to get out offending snow/ice. The sounds of shoes against pedals/cranks is normal winter noise .

SheFly

[Velobambina]

Thanks, all, for the help and SheFly, your picture what just what I needed to see. I figured that I would have to cut out the area where the cleat goes on. Did you use the hardware that came with the cleat to attach them or the screws that Lake provided? It's reassuring to know that clipping in and out in no problem. Now I have to decide which ones I want. My husband told me to keep both pairs, but I'd rather return one.

[SheFly]

I don't think it matters which hardware you use to mount the cleat to the shoe. Chickwhorips said that she used the cleat hardware, so I would go with that.

If you only want one winter shoe, I would suggest the Lakes. The Sidis have a hard plastic sole - think of this on a COLD day - not at all flexible, and likely to conduct cold (although maybe I am wrong). Plus, you said the Lakes were cheaper .

Let me know how you end up liking them if that's what you decide.

SheFly

p.s.
A picture is always worth a thousand words!