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How to convert regular tennis shoes to "clipless" or SPD shoes?

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How to convert regular tennis shoes to "clipless" or SPD shoes?

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flag deakmaster
Posted: Apr 14, 2010 at 18:36 Quote
Hi any mechanics/ wrenchfolk out there.. I have a sweet pair of high top nikes with a really thick sole, and was wondering if I could custom make my own SPD shoes out of them. I hate the way market clipless shoes all have the "clip" part on the toes, which I would think is a surefire way to get a twisted ankle on a gnarly drop. But I could be wrong. Does there exist an adapter kit for regular shoes? If not, how would you suggest I go about mac guyver- ing my way into a pair?
flag knobzy
Posted: Apr 14, 2010 at 20:17 Quote
if you look at the SPD shoes the sole is a solid plastic of some sort. from the pairs i have owned that is what i have found. using regular shoes would get damaged faster. Even tho your sole is thick, it bends and twists. You would either ripe the cleat right out of the shoe, or do damage to your ankle.
flag Hummeroid
Posted: Apr 14, 2010 at 20:27 Quote
1:its not gonna work. Unless you make an inner plate sole that the cleat bolts to. It flexes and moves without it, and actually is painful. Tried it, failed, and bought a real set.

2: Clipless shoes dont have the clips on the toes, its adjusted to pretty much right under the balls of your feet. It may LOOK weird, but when set up right, its where your feet should be anyway. You WILL screw up your knees and other joints having the clip back under your arch, its not the correct motion at that point.

3: Pedals are gonna release long before you hurt your ankle, as they release from twisting. Just run some that are easy to get out of if youre concerned about it. This coming from someone with a long history of severe ankle sprains (out this whole season from tearing my left one apart!) So if clipless hasnt hurt these weak ankles, I cant see a way theyd hurt many other people.

One suggestion: If you want to use those shoes, buy toe strap pedals. I know some friends that want to kinda be clipped in, but cant deal with clipless. Sure the pedals look lame, but its kinda the best of both worlds
flag nishnash
O+ FL
Posted: Apr 14, 2010 at 20:36 Quote
Toe-Clips are sketchy shit.....can lead to crashes due to being locked on the bike.
flag iamamodel
Posted: Apr 15, 2010 at 1:56 Quote
I would think that the fastest way to ruin your sweet Nikes is to ride in them - mud, water, scraping and bashing into rocks etc.

Keep 'em nice for show.
flag iamamodel
Posted: Apr 15, 2010 at 1:58 Quote
P.S. If you are worried about spraining your ankle on a drop you could run flats. Every time I come up to a drop I move my foot forward so there is less leverage on my ankle.
flag rinsed
Posted: Feb 17, 2012 at 13:40 Quote
Its Easy to make your own SPD shoes, i have done so and have been riding in them for the last 2 years or so, longer than most of the current shoes on the market and i ride 1-2 twice a week, work an absolute Dream. check out http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-spd-clipless-shoes for details on how to do it.
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