Hi,
I bought this pair of pedals/shoes for my bike.

I'm having some trouble setting them up, though. For one, most online instructions have me cut and tear out the rubber pad on the sole before screwing in the cleats. However, mine don't have enough clearance with the tread (even with the sole in the are pretty well up touching) (see image). The instructions that came with the shoe don't have me tear it out, though.

Secondly, most instructions have me put the cleat washer in the top of the shoe, underneath the insole (the pedal instructions say to do this, but the shoe instructions say to put the washer on top of the cleat). However, when I do this there the washer doesn't "sink in" flush with the rest of the sole; it leaves a big bump which I'm sure I couldn't ride in (despite there being a pull-away flap which implies this should be done).

Thirdly, if I go with the shoe instructions, I put the washer on top of the cleat, but neither the bolts that came with the pedals nor the shoe are long enough to thread into the shoe.

So right now, I have the cleat bolted straight into the shoe, no washer, rubber pad still in place. Is this a major no-no?

Thanks,
Asher

Would be easier if you had a pic of the shoes without the Pedals but here goes:

With the sole facing up put the cleat on first....then washer, then screws....if the screws are too short.....cut the rubber sole and problem should be solved. Although i've used other cleats without the washers. Just not those.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Pics of bottom:

Just fine.