Bicycle Mechanics - SPD alterations

I'm currently looking into getting a new bike, which will mean a new set of SPDs with accompanying cleats. For simplicity's sake I'll probably go with something that matches what I have now, meaning I'll have an extra cleat lying around.

a) How effective would it be to mount a cleat on a workboot? A steel shank or plate ought to give the stiffness needed, and give something to mount the cleat onto, so in theory it could work. With a new sole and deep treads, it just might work. That'd give me some more options for biking footwear, allowing me to get back into my trusty steeltoes. Has anyone tried this?

b) Can one buy flat-pedals that clip into SPDs? It seems like this would be fairly easy to do, as any rigid enough surface with some decent tread could just have a cleat bolted on and would instantly turn the bike into something that could be ridden with any footwear, and just pull off in a snap.

Are there commercial products like this available, and if not, how difficult would they be to pull off one's self?

I'm currently looking into getting a new bike, which will mean a new set of SPDs with accompanying cleats. For simplicity's sake I'll probably go with something that matches what I have now, meaning I'll have an extra cleat lying around.

a) How effective would it be to mount a cleat on a workboot? A steel shank or plate ought to give the stiffness needed, and give something to mount the cleat onto, so in theory it could work. With a new sole and deep treads, it just might work. That'd give me some more options for biking footwear, allowing me to get back into my trusty steeltoes. Has anyone tried this?

b) Can one buy flat-pedals that clip into SPDs? It seems like this would be fairly easy to do, as any rigid enough surface with some decent tread could just have a cleat bolted on and would instantly turn the bike into something that could be ridden with any footwear, and just pull off in a snap.

Are there commercial products like this available, and if not, how difficult would they be to pull off one's self?

There are commercial products that snap on the clipless pedals and allow them to be used with regular shoes. Bike shops use them for test rides. You can also get pedals that are platform on one side and clipless on the other.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't mount SPD hardware on a workboot with a steel shank or plate, but the bigger questions is why??

Paul

There are commercial products that snap on the clipless pedals and allow them to be used with regular shoes. Bike shops use them for test rides. You can also get pedals that are platform on one side and clipless on the other.

Many OE pedals ship with cheap plastic platform "inserts" that are meant to allow bike shops to give customers test rides without having to swap in actual platforms. However, these are disposable items the customer is supposed to throw away after purchasing the bike. There are commercial aftermarket platform adapters which are of much higher quality and sometimes made of metal. Check out the Winwood Decksters (http://www.winwoodbikeparts.com/decksters.html).

http://www.winwoodbikeparts.com/images/PD1150_lg.jpg

Note that these things will increase your pedal stack height and thus you will probably have to compensate with seatpost adjustments.

Shimano makes a pedal with SPD clips on one side and platform on the other. That way you can use them with any footwear without modification. It's probably better than hacking up a pair of boots.

Many OE pedals ship with cheap plastic platform "inserts" that are meant to allow bike shops to give customers test rides without having to swap in actual platforms. However, these are disposable items the customer is supposed to throw away after purchasing the bike.

Thats if you can get them off........

I recently bought a pair of those Winwood Decksters (pictured above), and returned them promptly. they weigh a ton, are hard to flip over, and virtually impossible to use on the down side w/the spd.

I have a pair of those Shamino SPD/platform pedals and they work great! This is the way to go if you wan't to use the bike for short jaunts or longer rides where you may want to clip in.

I would not wan't a set of SPD cleats sticking out of the bottom of my work boot/shoe all day long. It will make them prone to sliping.

I put together this website on how to make shoes for cold weather biking, but it would be easy to adapt to work shoes if you wanted. IceBike Shoe (http://johnschreiber.tripod.com/icebikeshoe/).

Enjoy.