Shims to make the cleat less recessed????

[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

[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.

[Tuckervill]

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.

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

[kaian]

I do own a Dremel tool. 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.