So, this is wacky. But I've always wanted to get into cobblering

But I was wondering if anyone has any experience installing cleats in regular shoes.

I'll be using Pronto Uomo Oxfords I scored at the Goodwill, (here's a pair for sale on e-bay):https://cgi.ebay.com/Prontp-Uomo-%22-...080625115r2321)

The sole is all leather, so it seems like it'll be easy to work with.

I'm planning on making the cleat fairly recessed; I'm not sure on which pedals I'm going to purchase, but i'm leaning towards SPD style.

I'd like to hear some ideas and advice before I begin.

I'll keep this updated with photos as I obtain the pieces and put together the shoes.

you'll run into walkability issues, as well as sole stiffness, or lack thereof (on both counts). as well, as the cleats pulling through the soft sole, and more discomfort from the lack of an embedded bolt plate.

But have fun.

I'm assuming to make it work I'll have to mount some sort of material into the sole that the cleat can be screwed into

I'm hoping that i'll find away to have it recessed enough to make it walkable; off the bike comfort seems like too lofty a goal. I am hoping that they'll be mildly comfortable on the bike.

What would be the best material to mount inside of the shoe that can disperse the pressure from the cleat?

Neat project and let us know how it goes. Recessing the cleat would be difficult since you don't have much material to work with, but that's part of the challenge.

My concern is the stitching of the uppers to the sole may rip out. Cycling shoes are reinforced to resist the upward pull of the foot against a clipless pedal.

The sole ins't likely thick enough to allow recessing without leaving a hole in the bottom of the sole. That is what most MTB-type shoes have anyway, but there is usually some kind of reinforcing plate for the cleat to attach to. As concerns the welt construction, I think it would be adequate. The thickness of the sole might be an issue depending on the amount of wear already there. A double oak leather sole would give you more thickness to form a recess within without losing the sole altogether.

This was the issue when the Cinelli M71 pedals were introduced- the shoes of the time were not built to resist the upward pull on the pedals. That's what toe straps are for!

If you're truly insane, you could get a set of NOS Cinelli M71 pedals: https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=40456 and nail the cleats to your Italian shoes. You'll be so stylish you'll never want to stop! (You won't be able to, either. The Cinelli pedals have a manual lock- you need to reach down and unlock the cleat whenever you want to put a foot down .)