DIY shim for SPD cleats?

Well technically Time cleats, but same thing.

I tried an aftermarket shim to try and address a leg length discrepancy which results in right leg over-reaching and left ITB getting tight as a result.

Problem is the aftermarket shims are quite ‘short’ so it leaves a very obvious step on the sole of the shoe which the pedal gets hung up on, cue much faffing, swearing and stamping trying to get cleat back in.

I’m thinking about butchering a sturdy tupperware box to create shims that are the length of the channel in the shoe and glueing (or even using short self tappers) to hold them in place, just wondering if anyone has tried similar?

Ta

Can you squeeze another insole into your affected shoe? That’ll give you an extra 2-4mm without having to butcher the cleat fixings

Specialize insole wedges used to be available, they were fitted under insoles providing few mm adjustment.

Good suggestions both, but no, shoes are about as tight as I would like them.

Tried similar with my hiking boots years ago, same problem though, think I lost feeling in my toes!

It’s more treating the symptom not the cause…. but I assume you’ve tried IT band focussed stretches?

I used to have major problems with my left knee/IT band but I now stretch (Figure Four/Half Chair pose) for 30 secs each side pre ride and haven’t had knee pain since.

Yeah, and possibly I’m just not doing them enough, but given that a bike fitter identified (and showed me) that I’m always reaching further with my right leg it would be nice to try and redress the balance a little.

Will try my tupperware solution and report back…

Any news? Photo? I’m about to try similar with some old shimano shoes. Midfoot-ish cleat position but shorter leg to have a wee bit further forward cleat

Have you got/tried a crank bros shoe guard.

Sorry digger, I decided against it, realised my saddle height had crept up which was probably exacerbating things.

Seb – good suggestion, already have them anyway, would cost a fortune to add any significant height though!