SPD dress shoes?

[Matt O'Toole]

Booker C. Bense wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>,
> qtq <[email protected]> wrote:

>> Does any manufacturer make SPD shoes which look vaguely
>> formal/attractive? I'm talking more in the 'leather school shoe'
>> style; I'm not looking for SPD strappy stilettos! (wouldn't be
>> seen dead in them).
>>
>
> _ They make black "police" spd shoes.
>
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36126&item=7100919610&rd=1
>
> and you can get various MTB/touring shoes that look like
> basic leather sneakers.

Diadora makes police issue shoes too, but they're all black, w/o the white
stripe like the Sidis. Neither is really up to snuff as a "dress shoe," but if
you can wear Rockports, etc., they're probably OK.

Otherwise, you should probably just bring dress shoes with you, or leave a pair
or two at work.

Converting normal shoes to SPD use, as mentioned, is probably more trouble than
it's worth. Most soles aren't strong enough to support the cleat and backing
plate. The cleats will just tear out, unless you install some kind of
reinforced midsole. Then there's the sole/tread itself, which must have a
recess for the cleat. It not only has to be deep enough, but the right shape.
I've had several pairs of SPD bike shoes, and some are really hard to clip in
with.

Matt O.

 

[Joshua Putnam]

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...

> Converting normal shoes to SPD use, as mentioned, is probably more trouble than
> it's worth. Most soles aren't strong enough to support the cleat and backing
> plate. The cleats will just tear out, unless you install some kind of
> reinforced midsole.

That part's easy, use a stainless steel insole from an industrial safety
shop. They're intended to stop nails from penetrating up when you step
on them, but they work well to keep screws from pulling down, too.

> Then there's the sole/tread itself, which must have a
> recess for the cleat. It not only has to be deep enough, but the right shape.

Depth can be tricky with thinner-soled shoes, but the shape is easy, just
carve the recess with a router.

--
[email protected] is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Books for Bicycle Mechanics and Tinkerers:
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