Ok this is a simple task that some people might be thinking about. Either for aesthetic reasons or their old shoes are dying.
It’ll take about 30 - 60min to complete depending on your shoe (maybe even less if you’re lucky).
Tools:
Old MTB Shoes.
Shoes you wish to modify.
Stanley Knife
Something to rip out insole of MTB Shoe (Flat head screwdriver and File haha).
Pedals and Cleats :-o
Optional - some kind of glue.
Firstly - Grab an old pair (or spare pair) of MTB Shoes. Shimano usually do well. And you can grab those old ugly ones for about $10 second hand.
I used a spare pair of Shimano DX.
Take off the cleates and rip out the hard insole. This was actually quite hard with these shoes and took about 15minutes hardout each shoe. I used a flathead screw driver and a file (as a hammer) to loosen some parts and pry other parts. You’ll end up with this:
Next step - Grab the shoes you wish to modify. Emerica Jerry Hsu’s for me because I dig them but hadn’t worn them for a while. They also do up well/provide decent support.
Take out the insole and put in the hard mtb sole. Poke some holes in the slot through the sole of the shoe to get an idea where the cleat will be. Then mark where you wish to cut. You’ll end up with this:
It’s best to use a stanley knife. Shove it in and kind of saw away. You’ll figure the technique. Also I’m using Time Atac Z’s - I found it’s best to have atleast 1cm space infront and behind the cleat itself - so it clips in easily.
Now it’s time to insert the hard sole. Do that. Then put the soft sole you on top of this (or not, if it’s not comfortable). Attach cleat to shoe.
Enjoy clipless pleasures.
You could also glue the insole into the shoe. This will probably provide a seal for water or poo…I don’t really think it’s necessary.
this will help a dear shoe-less boy i know. high five.
with any luck there will be another reply here soon, from him, outlining yet another successful DIY spd shoe job… and thus end a long and arduous (and so-far fruitless) mission of finding shoes that actually fit well.
Man, just bought a pair of Vans Warner for this exact purpose but the damn cleats still protrude 1-2mm from the soles so you’re still tapdancing when you walk.
I’d say you’ll need some shoes with a thicker than usual sole to avoid this.
Anyhow I’m off the fleabay to scour some old mtb’s. Thanks for the tip mate.
I’d say this could be possible depending on what shoe you are using (quality-wise)…
When it comes down to it, you will be putting a shit-load of force on a shoe that wasn’t designed to have that type of pressure put on it in that way.
yeah im getting some 1970s pointy end pedophile shoes converted to impress my hipster mates, just gotta wait another week to get my moustache up to a respectable level before i unleash them.
