Bont shoes

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113245
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:47 am

by 113245

nah, I bought them from Excel sports because it was $50 cheaper...
At any rate, after reading Steve Hogg's article about arch support, what I have going now might not be such a bad thing for me. Guess I'm going to try riding like this for a while, and for now focus on getting speedplay cleats on properly. Baseplate is warping because of imperfect shoe curvature...

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SolidSnake03
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Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:09 pm

by SolidSnake03

Try different combinations of 1 and 4 shims to get a nice flush flat fit. Personally I'm running 1's in the rear of the cleat and 4's up front and that seems to perfectly match the sole, haven't had any issues.

Also, sadly it looks like my honeymoon might have been a bit too soon, the ctt-1's are awesome with the Giro insoles but when I try to use my eSoles the 42's are too small and crunchy :cry: for this the 42.5's seem to be better when using eSoles because of their added mass.
Looks like I made a new 90 Proof friend

by Weenie


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Kjetil
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by Kjetil

If volume is the problem try baking again and strap down real snug to stretch uppers.
Bianchi-Campagnolo
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SolidSnake03
Posts: 556
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by SolidSnake03

Tried baking twice, don't seem to be able to make up enough room, the eSoles are really thick compared to the Bont stock or Giro SuperFit Kit ones plus the heel cup isn't nearly as deep which props the foot up noticeably.

Anyhow, I'll be experimenting a bit yet
Looks like I made a new 90 Proof friend

113245
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:47 am

by 113245

SolidSnake03 wrote:Try different combinations of 1 and 4 shims to get a nice flush flat fit. Personally I'm running 1's in the rear of the cleat and 4's up front and that seems to perfectly match the sole, haven't had any issues.


Hmm, I'll give it a shot. I think the biggest issue for me is that I have such a small size (41) that the baseplate ends up going over the arch area a little which is not side-to-side flat, which causes torsional warping. My friend's size 47 has a very flat (side-to-side) sole though.

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Gearjunkie
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Location: NZ

by Gearjunkie

My size 46 Vaypors have significant rocking with Keo cleats.

Please can anyone let me know where I can find those shims? Thanks

GJ

Shinobi
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Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:05 pm

by Shinobi

The shims come with Speedplay pedals. I'm not sure they will work with Keo/SPD-SLs.

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LouisN
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by LouisN

Cut yogurt covers worked for me.

Louis :)

113245
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:47 am

by 113245

Yeah, even with the 4F/1R shims it's not sitting well because of how the shoe curves side to side. I guess that's just an issue with these smalle shoe sizes. Gonna have to take a dremel to it and shape it out a bit I guess.

113245
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:47 am

by 113245

Alright, basically *f##k* this... the sole is so curved that after ~4hrs of dremeling and shimming I got it *acceptably* flat on one shoe. I say acceptably flat because it the 3-4 hole baseplate *seems* flat, but I know its warped because after multiple clip-in/clip-outs there is an obvious wear pattern in the base plate for only half the pedal. On the plus side, I can clip in, which is more than I can say for the other shoe right now. I have half a mind to get some urethane casting resin and just cast my own shims from a mold of my shoe.

Shinobi
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:05 pm

by Shinobi

I believe the shims are for adjustments along the sole (front to back), not laterally. I also believe Bont soles are made by hand so there's some element of randomness there.

Have you considered adjusting (dremel, sanding, etc) the shims to fit the shoe, instead of the other way around?

Also, what exactly is the issue with the cleat not sitting flush? Is it rocking side to side when you pedal? If the problem is difficulty engaging, have you possibly fastened the cleat screws too tightly? That will make it near impossible to engage, as I learned on my first day riding Speedplay.

113245
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:47 am

by 113245

Sorry I was a bit unclear. I was dremeling/sanding the shims to fit the shoe, I dont want to take a dremel to the sole of the shoe. The issue with the 3-4hole adapter plate not sitting properly flush is that when the 3 adapter screws are tightened, the adapter plate warps to fit the shoe. This causes the plastic part (the part that holds the C clip and screws into the 3-4 adapter) to warp and makes it extremely difficult to engage the pedal. If I loosen the adapter plate screws enough so that it doesn't warp, it's completely loose and slides around the shoe.

I got them both to clip in and out for now, but the left shoe is noticeably harder to get it to engage. I didn't spend as much time on that one and the adapter plate is ever-so-slightly warped.

Shinobi
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Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:05 pm

by Shinobi

The adapter plate is only to allow for the cleat to be attached as well as minor front to back cleat position adjustment. Have you tried tightening just the top plate screw, and leaving the other two fairly loose to the point where it does not warp? The front screw should hold the plate in place and prevent it from moving forward and back.

Then attach the cleat itself to the plate, tightening a quarter turn per screw. If you crank down the cleat screws very tight, you will not be able to engage. If that still doesn't work, can you upload a picture of what's going on? I've never heard of anyone needing to sand down shims to use Speedplay pedals.

Quote from Speedplay website:
I just installed my new X pedals and cleats. The pedals will not engage the cleats properly or the cleats pull out while riding or sprinting. What should I do?

Be sure that the 4 x 11mm outer fastening screws of the cleats are not over-tightened. Tighten cleat fastening screws until resistance is felt and then tighten no more than ¼ turn. Over-tightening prevents the springs from operating properly, can affect engagement and retention, and can cause the springs to break. Also ensure that the correct mounting hardware and Snap Shim Kit have been used.

113245
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:47 am

by 113245

The problem is actually caused mostly by that front baseplate screw. It goes in with the screw head at an angle relative to the adapter plate so when I tighten it down it warps the plate. Ill try and take a picture but I only have a crappy cellphone camera.

crappy ascii art of what im talking about:
..\ ..... ||.. (3 adapter screws)
_...----..._ (shoe sole)


Anyways, they work now (after much tinkering). The zero C clips are very stiff for me (I only weigh 120lbs...) so I put in some light-action C clips and its much better. Sorry for sort of highjacking the thread!

by Weenie


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Shinobi
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Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:05 pm

by Shinobi

Try lubing the springs with some teflon lube. Also, make sure to check on your cleat screws every few rides, since you have to keep the torque low in order for the spring to work correctly. One time, I noticed two screws had totally fallen out due to my own negligence. Luckily, it did not affect my ability to ride (much), but I did replace them as soon as I found out.

Rider weight shouldn't have much impact on ability to engage the cleats. You can do so with minimal force while seated, provided you haven't overtightened your screws.

In terms of the angle of the screw you mentioned, as I said, I believe the soles are handmade and hand drilled. It may be defective (and maybe why you got them in "used condition" so cheap?).

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