[CR]Re: attaching cleats

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:27:24 -0400
From: "Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>
In-reply-to: <881721.48269.qm@web50504.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
To: EPL <lowiemanuel@yahoo.ca>, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <881721.48269.qm@web50504.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Subject: [CR]Re: attaching cleats

This came in offline, and I trust the sender won't mind if I respond to the whole list, since I think the info will be useful to others.

His question was translatable as "How do I find someone local to install nail-on-type cleats, and what needs to be done to get it right? Here goes; comments welcome.

The mandatory part is to establish a line across your shoes where the pedal should go. The way I'd do that is to wrap the front of the toeclip you will use with enough of a spacer to assure that the tip of the shoe doesn't scrape on the clip - which is why I use longer rather than shorter cleats when I have a choice. Ride long enough to get a decent line, being attentive to the angle of your foot relative to the pedal axis.

The back pedal cage line shoes exactly where the cleat should go.

Next (and this is a bit tricky) you need to settle how far outboard the cleats go, which I do as a shop-fit. I tend to mount cleats inboard, so I can slide feet outboard if needed to clear pants or whatever; your practice may differ. Mark exactly where each cleat should go. Use permanent marker, chalk, or double-sided sticky tape. Note if the cleats are marked as handed, for left v. right shoe.

Now you're equipped to deal with the shoemaker. Take the shoes, cleats, and nails to any shoe-maker. If he is discouraging, call around till you find the right Sicilian accent :-) . Be very polite, offer your nails (if any) but accept whatever he prefers: your soles might be thicker than what Pavarin thought, for example. Ask him nicely if he can take out the insole and then replace it, so you won't have the turned-over nails against your delicate soles.

Enjoy! Much easier than shipping to me, and he'll probably do a better job.

harvey sachs
mcLean va