Bicycle Mechanics - Can a sneaker be converted to a bike shoe?

I am trying to find a way to attach a delta cleat to a sneaker. I want to do this so I can do a few test rides to see if I want to use these pedals and cleats. I am thinking about using blind nuts inside the shoe by drilling holes through the sole and then just screwing the cleats on like using regular bike shoes. I am guessing that this setup will not be very comfortable but atleast I should be able to see how the system would work.

Does anyone have any better ideas other than just getting some biking shoes?

i would worry about the sole allowing the screws/bolts to move, which in turn would allow the cleat to move, which might make it hard if not impossible to unclip. Seems dangerous to me.

Borrow someone's? The conversion will be a lot of work for a mediocre-to-poor result. Not worth your time when new pedal/shoes combo can run $50 if you work at it.

I am trying to find a way to attach a delta cleat to a sneaker. I want to do this so I can do a few test rides to see if I want to use these pedals and cleats. I am thinking about using blind nuts inside the shoe by drilling holes through the sole and then just screwing the cleats on like using regular bike shoes. I am guessing that this setup will not be very comfortable but atleast I should be able to see how the system would work.

Does anyone have any better ideas other than just getting some biking shoes?

Your "frankenstein" shoes still will not feel the same as an SPD shoe w/ cleats. The SPD shoes have a much stiffer sole, changing the ride and feel characteristics. I'd say buy the SPD shoes and pedals, if you don't like them (I loved them the first time I tried them), sell them on Ebay.

would trainers be stiff enough to unclip the cleat? , might be to find out , vpost videos on youtube

If you're getting at what I THINK you're getting at, have you looked into cheap, cheap touring shoes?

I have two or three pair that I've bought over the years--for under $40--that have stiff soles, but are quite walkable and even look (I'm pushing it here) a bit "normal" for cycling shoes.

They actually don't give up THAT much as cycling shoes, either.

I think I found them, on sale, at Performance, but I've also seen them online.

I'd worry about pulling the cleats loose, or even tearing them through the sole! Why bother???

I've been thinking about Glueing a thin strip of oak the the bottom of some chucks, but for clips+straps

Thanks for the comments. I agree with all. I'll just get some bike shoes and then I can give the system an honest test.

While you can't just screw cleats into a soft bottom shoe. (the cleat screws will tear through the foam and rubber) I don't see why you couldn't take a little aluminum and make it work.

Cut a hole in the bottom of the shoe that's the right size for the cleat mount. Take a small bit of aluminum or carbon. 1/16" or 1/32" respectively, and cut it to fit in the toe box of your shoe. Put it in the show, mark the space that matches the hole you cut in the bottom of the shoe. Get a small block of aluminum to fit that hole. Glue that spacer to the part you have that fits your toe box. Drill, countersink, tap, and screw the toe box peice and spacer togother.

Use shoe goo to glue the "mount" into the shoe. I'd be sure to tighten your laces well!

Hmm... Perhaps a project to try myself. Not that It would make a good bike shoe, but stealth bike shoes might be neat. I can just imagine walking someone walking up to a clipless bike and taking off clipped in and all.

While you can't just screw cleats into a soft bottom shoe. (the cleat screws will tear through the foam and rubber) I don't see why you couldn't take a little aluminum and make it work.

Cut a hole in the bottom of the shoe that's the right size for the cleat mount. Take a small bit of aluminum or carbon. 1/16" or 1/32" respectively, and cut it to fit in the toe box of your shoe. Put it in the show, mark the space that matches the hole you cut in the bottom of the shoe. Get a small block of aluminum to fit that hole. Glue that spacer to the part you have that fits your toe box. Drill, countersink, tap, and screw the toe box peice and spacer togother.

Use shoe goo to glue the "mount" into the shoe. I'd be sure to tighten your laces well!

Hmm... Perhaps a project to try myself. Not that It would make a good bike shoe, but stealth bike shoes might be neat. I can just imagine walking someone walking up to a clipless bike and taking off clipped in and all.

Why bother?

Just use the pre-made slip-ins.

... stealth bike shoes might be neat. I can just imagine walking someone walking up to a clipless bike and taking off clipped in and all.
I think the duck walk and clack-clack-clack would give it away.

We were just talking about this at work actually.

Safety shoes would probably work.. (with a steel sole).

Of course it's possible. Put your sneakers on, walk to the bike shop, take out some $ and buy some cycling shoes.

its funny you asked this. i tried it with an old set of pumas and it was horrible. what you think is tight in the sole is not even close when you try to unclip. just buy the shoes and get it over with, it is a night and day difference.

its funny you asked this. i tried it with an old set of pumas and it was horrible. what you think is tight in the sole is not even close when you try to unclip. just buy the shoes and get it over with, it is a night and day difference.

That's why I suggested the plate in the sole to bolt the cleat to. By making the cleat bolt to a plate that has 5-6 square inches of area you can prevent it from tearing out the bottom of the shoe.

We were just talking about this at work actually.

Safety shoes would probably work.. (with a steel sole).
Safety shoes have a steel toe cap. Most have a conventional sole so you are no better off than with any other non-cycling shoe and they are HEAVY!

For the record, I am trying to find a used pair of clipless pedals on ebay just to try this out...