With metal or plastic cleats, the trick is simply to take a file, a fine tooth saw or even a knife and enlarge the slots at the outside edges of the cleat. You might even enlarge the slot in the middle just a bit. If done carefully, this is quite effective and produces more predictable "float" than leather cleats. Anyway, it's how we got "float" long before it was available with clipless pedals.
By the way, a couple of years ago, someone on this list was
selling these wonderful Patrick touring shoes. These have what
amounts to a cleat molded into the soles. (And they actually
aren't good for real walking. It's more like they're useful
for walking from your bike to the boulangerie and back again
with your newly purchased baguette.)
But if you carefully work on this cleat/sole with a knife, you
can get a reasonable amount of float as well as a secure
connection to the pedals.
Cheers,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
> The leather cleats provide a moderate amount of float
> and wear in to suit a natural position. I agree that
> nylon and metal cleats are much less forgiving.
>
> Charlie
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <joebz@optonline.net>
> To: "Charles T. Young" <youngc@ptd.net>
> Cc: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>;
> "Harvey M Sachs"
> <sachshm@cox.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 10:13 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR] shoes for clips/straps & TA ref 40 cleats
>
>
> > I'm as nostalgic as anyone but nail on, non-adjustable
> cleats are for the
> birds in my opinion. They lead to not getting the angle
> right which leads
> to knee problems. I can't remember how many times I went
> through the
> establish a line and try and get some cobbler to get them on
> right routine.
> I'm sure Harvey is more skilled, but getting them
> ergonomically correct is a
> very tricky business that goes beyond even getting the cleats
> on that line.
> >
> > Maybe the leather ones are more forgiving, but adjustable
> cleats and
> Fit-Kit fitting were two innovations I grabbed and never
> looked back.
> >
> > I also like the dear departed Sidis with just the ribbed
> soles for a
> touring type shoe.
> >
> > Joe Bender-Zanoni
> > Great Notch, Nj
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Charles T. Young" <youngc@ptd.net>
> > Date: Tuesday, April 4, 2006 9:06 am
> > Subject: Re: [CR] shoes for clips/straps & TA ref 40 cleats
> >
> > > Those look fine. I'd suggest having the local cobbler fit
> a small
> > > heel to
> > > protect the shoe for light walking about. I'd take it one
> step
> > > further and
> > > also have the cobbler (or Harvey Sachs if he's in the
> > > neighborhood) fit the
> > > TA leather touring ref 40 "modele turino" cleats. As I
> recall, you
> > > are a
> > > woodworker, so this would be very straight forward for
> you, you'll
> > > simplyneed to clinch nail them on yourself You can see
> them at
> > > Joel Metz'
> > > wonderful TA pages:
> > >
> > > http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
> > >
> > > http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
> > >
> > > Best to ride the shoes for a spell to establish the best
> line for
> > > the cleat
> > > positioning as the rear of the quill pedal cage leaves an
> indent.
> > > While I
> > > haven't tried it yet, these cleats would not be difficult
> for a
> > > cobbler to
> > > duplicate. They consist of a thin piece of steel with two
> leather
> > > wedgesglued down.
> > >
> > > I'm a bit lazy; anyone have one or two pairs of
> factory-made TA
> > > cleats to
> > > sell? I've several shoes that could use them. Harv, why
> don't you
> > > fab me a
> > > prototype or two?
> > >
> > > Charlie Young
> > > Honey Brook, PA
> > >
> > > p.s. You could always just wear a pair of think soled
> wingtips,
> > > that has a
> > > style all its own... Yo, Pergolizzi, what's your call?
> > >
> > > P. Lynn Miller asked:
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > I found these - eBay - Item number: 7230533313 - Anyone
> know
> > > anything> about these or have used this shoe? They may be
> a bit
> > > too vintage. But I
> > > > am looking for shoes with laces. No velcro or ratchets.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > P. Lynn Miller
> > > > Sydney, Australia
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Classicrendezvous mailing list
> > > Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > >
> http://www.bikelist.org/
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
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