I rode in my new GIRO Republic shoes for the first time today. What a difference (improvement)!!!!!! I'd forgotten what a properly fitting pair of cycling shoes feels like, stiff soles and all that. I ordered a size 48 because I know a 47 is too small for my size 13 feet. Still, I am a little concerned that I may have made a purchasing mistake.

You see, the shoes don't fit the pedals very well. They have a tall, blunt toe box that is terrific for foot comfort )no pinched toes). However, the toe box does not fit into the toe clip far enough to get the ball of my foot over the pedal axle. Apparently, the clips are shaped to fit over and around the lean, low, pointy-toed shoes like the old Detto Pietros. Had they been shaped like that, they would have fit the pedals much better.

Another thing that's bugging me is the pair of lugs (raised sections) on the soles between which the cleat is supposed to fit. This raises the foot about 1/2" off the pedal platform (which is a lot). This height worsens the fit to the toe clip by making the shoe "taller".

The extra height is enough to be readily noticeable from the saddle - the seat feels too low. I guess the fix for this is easy - raise the seat.

The thing is, the lugs could have been easily and completely removable had the designer thought about it. They deigned in a removable soft rubber pad that attaches with screws. It's too releasing those screws doesn't also release the lug from the sole. Had they done that, they'd have a winner.

I wanted some Detto Pietros but not being able to try them on made the expensive purchase a non-starter (~$300 and unspecified lead time).

With the Giros not fitting in far enough and causing me to raise the seat = not too happy right now.

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Looking at the Giro website it appears the shoes were meant to be used with 2-bolt (SPD) cleats and not toe-clips.

Back in the day we used to fabricate our own toe clips out of sheet aluminum, coat hanger wire, etc. The main purpose of the toe clip is to hold the toe strap open to facilitate foot entry and to some extent, facilitate cleat engagement. Toe clips should not touch the shoe except at the strap loop. Custom toe clips are a simple DYI project.

^^ Huh. I had no idea.

I will say that even with SPD pedals, Giro Republics have a hard time. I've returned pedals that wouldn't fit my Republics (I have 2 pair), and now I need to shave down the (really deep) pad on one of my pair so that it will fit the either sets of pedals I have. It is frustrating but they look so good! And they are really comfortable.

I've found that often the dual clip toe clips for MTB pedals work really well for box toe shoes. They look like these ones.

Cycling Fixie Road Mountain Bike Bicycle Pedals Toe Clips Straps - US$17.99

Cheers

If you cant find any long enough for your size 13 shoes you can add spacers between the pedal and toe clip (with longer screws if necessary.)

Saw a slot through the lugs corresponding to the slotted cleat/pedal cage

Yeah, or just file one. For size 48, I'd say spacing out the toe clip from the pedal is your best bet. The normal Zefal/Christophe L/xL is pretty much at the limit with 46.

BITD the standard thing was to tell people to size down at least 1/2 a size from their normal shoe for cycling, but that's when they were all leather and would stretch.

There's not many good choices for toe clip users these days. I almost got some Giros, but something about them kind of turned me off. I wish I would have kept one of my old pairs of Dettos or Duegis. While I plan on going back to clipless soon, I am riding my old PX10 for now. For the interim, I got some Chrome truks, which are not bad.

Thanks for the idea, but the clips are plenty long enough but not tall enough.

This is a great idea. I hadn't thought of that one. Thanks.

Take a pair of pliers and bend the clips to make them taller. That's what I did. MKS makes taller clips if you don't want to alter yours. And if the shoes fit and you're keeping them, take a grinder or file or a sharp blade and take some material off the lugs then slot them as Ex Pres recommends.

Bad Lag-

Some good ideas have been shared but you may want to take the shoes to a cobbler. He can grind off the lugs to create a smooth sole and glue on a rubber non-slip sole to cover the spd cleat hole. I had this done on some Diadora touring shoes and they work fine.

I did think of this one but was concerned it would crack the chrome plating and/or spring steel clip.

Clearly, something needs to be done.

I agree it is an issue fitting toeclips with the existing foot pads in place - I had these as an backup for Eroica and concluded it would require major toeclip surgery to get the large toebox to fit/work.


Surgery on the shoes is an option - see this thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...e-nashbar.html

I have a pair of the Giro Republics and really like them - have been using them with Shimano A-520s very happily - You can pick up a pair of cheap SPD pedals on craigslist to try - you may never go back

Joe

I have big feet and have bent some of my toe clips at the front to acommodate my shoes. It works pretty well up to a point.

I'm still using toe clips with my size 46 shoes and sympathize with the issue of getting clips that fit well. For my vintage bike shoes that are sleek and Italian, the only concern is length. XL clips are generally fine.

When using more modern shoes, then I have to worry about the height of the clips. My experience is that the Japanese clips, such as the MKS ones, are too small to handle modern shoes such as Shimano ones. The ALE or Christophe Special clips are more roomy. Which clips are you using?

I haven't purchased modern shoes for a while, but the Shimano SH-R065 is fairly similar. The sole is designed to accept Look cleats, so it'll handle the slotted Shimano cleats that I've got. There's not much else happening on the soles, so no extra thickness is added.


Steve in Peoria

I'm using the MKS clips marked as "LL" which I think means extra large. The new shoes are a size 48.

I foresee major shoe surgery in the near future. Before I start, though, I am going to research my toe clip options. Perhaps along the lines kroozer is suggesting.

LL normally means extra large... although I've got a pair of Minoura clips it seems to mean "little, little". That's another whole story....

The ALE extra large clips may buy you a little more room for the shoes. I've got some pictures of the ALE extra large clips next to the MKS LL clips. The MKS clips are on the left.




Steve in Peoria

You 'ad sheet aluminium?

Luxory!

LOLOLOL!!!

Things are much better than I thought. I thought I'd have to cut/grind off the entire lug. When asked, the shop guy said only the sticky rubber part comes off. However, after you remove the screws, the entire lug comes off the sole of the shoe leaving the sole almost flat - there are just two thin ribs left behind. That was too easy!

Kudos to the Giro designer who did it right.

I may still add some sticky rubber to the sole as seen in the link, above. I may get some taller clips, too, but for now, I'm a happy camper again.

Seems you could fabricate an aluminum cleat to bolt into the SPD holes, and engage the pedal, for more positive retention. Basically buy a piece of "L" angle aluminum and saw, drill, and bolt. A Dremel would make quick work of it.

These look vintage.

Cycling Shoes ? Velo Heaven

I'm glad I got here when I did. I was wondering what I was missing that nobody had suggested that. In fact, I had to add some thread lock to my Republic's because in two separate lug instances, the bolt had backed out and even after tightening, it would come loose again. My work has concrete floors and walking through there with a loose cleat lug drove me (and likely my colleagues) up the wall. Threadlock worked though.

Glad this story has a happy ending. Those are thus far my very favorite riding shoes. Enjoy them!