Hey all – got these vintage-looking shimano mountain biking shoes. They have this rubber piece on the bottom which I assumed would pop off, but it seems fused to the sole of the shoe. Anyone have experience with these? Do I have to cut them out. Just a little confused, any help would be appreciated!
by BiscuitsAreYummy
8 Comments
Take the insole out and see if there is something on the inside attaching them.
Pry with screw driver
You’ll have to remove this part:
https://preview.redd.it/55gabg1fqt0f1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfef500182aa695715c7ab2b45fc20dfc12e6bf3
Not just the square in the middle. You may need to score around the edges with a box knife before prying it up with a flat head screwdriver. There should be 2 or four spots for the cleat bolts visible after you remove the rubber.
Got it out! Just had to pry it either some difficulty. No cleat bolts though, so have to figure that out
Those shoes have a high ankle support and restraint. I would be hesitant to be clipped in on spd’s (that already werent set up good and loose) without being able to wriggle my foot out of its shoe, like if i was in an incident and had the bike on top of me while stilled clipped in. Don’t tighten the shoe straps and laces nor the spd pedal adjuster very tightly. Not exactly KOMing shoes anyway.
And remember to start with the cleats set towards your heal, then gradually move them forward for best efficiency. Too for forward near the toe and the ball of your foot will go numb and it won’t be comfortable, so start from the arch first.
you have to use a box cutter or some blade to cut the rubber “watch” shaped piece. You then have to use a pliers or something to rip the rubber off as ot is glued to the footbed. Once that is done you will reveal the slotted SPD mounting holes beneath. I’m old.
There may be an instructional video on YouTube if you look up the specific shoes