Shoe Gue and some spring clamps will do the job. I have done the same with my old shoes with great success.
Tom Dusky
The weather is finally nice in
Huntington Woods MI
> I have several pair of on-topic plastic soled cleated cycling shoes
> where the leather uppers (toes or heels) have separated from the hard
> plastic soles.
> This has usually happened to NOS shoes after just a few rides, so I
> don't think it's a matter of use or wear, but just old glue from the
> 70s/80s losing its grip on shoes that sat for decades in the box. My
> riding climate is very dry so this hasn't been the result of soaking.
> Also my use of these shoes is gentle, I think. I never take more than
> a couple steps off the bike in these shoes, and my pedal stroke is
> such that I pull back and up with heel up rather than pulling up on
> the uppers into the toe clip and strap. So I don't think I'm ripping
> the uppers off by sheer force.
>
> I bought some glue from my local cobbler that he recommended, followed
> his directions for prep and clamping, and the Sidi upper did not
> re-attach to the sole. This glue reminds me of tubular cement, so is
> probably a type of contact cement and there may be better kinds of
> glue to try.
>
> I'm considering attempting this with urethane glue, the kind that
> cures with moisture, because they are usually good at attaching
> dissimilar materials I've found. The the end results can be messy so
> I'm saving this for a last resort.
>
> Gorrilla glue is often recommended for sport shoe repair stuff
> (telemark boots, etc.) but I haven't tried it. Is Gorrilla Glue a
> contact cement or urethane glue?
>
> Also considering taking the shoes back to my cobbler for him to glue,
> but if his glue didn't work for me, I doubt if it would work for him.
> Maybe he has a better clamp to use with his last.
>
> BTW, of all the brands of shoes that gave way, only Vittorias never
> have. Two pair are solid after lots of miles.
>
> Mitch Harris
> Little Rock Canyon, Utah, USA