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My wife kindly got me a pair of MW80 Goretex SPD boots for xmas to go with some new XTR M980 SPD pedals, I also then treated myself to some new Shimano carbon SPD race shoes. I set them up last night but haven't ridden with them yet but one thing I've noticed is that the MW80 boots are much harder to unclip from the pedals than the M230 race shoes. On looking at the soles it looks as though there's slightly less clearance on the MW80 sole between the cleat and the central rubber treads so I was wonderig whether it's catching slightly on the pedal on release.
Have you noticed this on your MW80's vs your regular SPD shoes? I wasn't too sure whether to try getting a sharp knife and carefully cut away some of the undersole to provide more of a gap round the cleat?
Any ideas?
No problems with clearance here I suppose it all depends on where you seat your cleat!
Similar issue with MW80s and CB Candys. The advantage of the extra tread is that it spreads the pressure across more of your sole than just the little area where the cleat attaches. This is more important with a relatively flexible sole like the MW80 than a stiff carbon "race sole".
You can, of course, pare away some of the MW80 sole to make it easier - but bear in mind the above.
I have noticed with mine that it's not quite as easy to clip in compared to other shoes I use (on Time Atacs) As above, I assume it's because of the slightly deeper tread on the soles.
Not had any problems unclipping though
try a spacer under the cleat - Crank Bros supply them witht he cleats, not sure about shimano.
A bit of a trim with a stanley knife around the cleat won't hurt, either.
Yep got the same problem but only on one foot!!
The MW80 boots work fine with the M970 xtr spd's, but not the new xtr M980!!
I was just going to cut away a bit of the sole.
Opposite for me.
"summer" shoes are DX, pedals are cheapo Shimano and MW80s unclip much easier than my DX.
The Time Z Controls I run are a really snug fit so I tried cutting away some of the sole without much success (used a new stanley knife blade too). The spacer might be an easier solution.
Wider than any other shoes I've owned too so I might put a washer on the pedal spindle.
Toasty though 🙂
I've always trimmed the soles after fitting cleats (dosen't take much to make them feel a lot better)
Same as Toon, only on one foot (right for me, left is fine) THought it was just pedal tension a bit awry as I've not ridden in any other shoes for a while, but now you mention it...
Not noticed any difference with mine, compared to Spesh and Shimano summer shoes and Time Atacs.
Maybe just keep using 'em and it'll ease off? Or try the shim.
Hmm, interesting that it's not just me then, also interesting to hear that others have experienced issues with the MW80 boot - XTR 980 pedal combo. I'm going for a test ride with them over the weekend so will see if they loosen up slightly otherwise I might have to resort to cutting some of the sole around the cleat recess away to open up the space around the cleat.
Thanks for the responses.
I find the same happens as per FBK description. Clipping in a faff but unclips very easy.