How To Attach A Shimano SPDSL Cleat

"Hi, this is Bryan from Shimano. I am here to tell you, how to attach a SPDSL cleat to a SPDSL shoe. All right. For installation you will need your 4mm Allen wrench, your SPDSL cleat, and of course your shoe. So just a quick note on this outsole. This outsole has both SPD and SPDSL compatibility. SPD compatibility are these two bolts here in the middle and the SPDSL are the three bolts out here that we will be working with today. So in the SPDSL packaging comes your cleat, your fixing bolts, and your cleat washers. All right. So step one, is inserting the cleat washers into the cleat. Then take your fixing bolts and drop them in as well. Now, again, you want to put some grease on these bolts before you install them, just to make sure that you can get them out later when you need to replace your cleats. So once the cleat is assembled, now it is time to put it on to the outsole. So take your cleat, drop it on in here, and then take your 4mm Allen and just tight them on. Not too tight, but just enough so you can move it around and get it all straightened out. Again, you have lots of adjustability here, so recommending that you just start off in the neutral position and make adjustments as necessary. Make sure you get all three nice and tight. Move it around here. This also guides on the outsole to make sure that you are lined up correctly. Once you are good, tighten it up, and you are ready to go. And there you have it. Now you know how to install an SPDSL cleat to an SPDSL shoe. Take these tips, try them out, and as always stay tuned for more, How-To videos!"

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• zappos
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• cleats
• bicycle
• cycling
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• road
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• shoes
• attachment
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• SPDSL
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• how-to

[ARX7ARBALESTZ7]

i just got into clipless, is the middle of the cleat suppose to line up with the balls of my feet? Also is positioning it left/right'/ center/ angling it all on preference?

[ZapposHowTo]

@ARX7ARBALESTZ7 Answer is yes and then mostly of yes. Align forwards and backwards with ball of the foot. Align left to right so that you have clearance to the pedal crank (arm that holds the pedal) and mostly straight front to back.

[ScottHagaman]

You covered the easy part: what was in the directions. You gave one helpful suggestion: recommending starting the adjustment in the most neutral position. That's fair. You didn't show how tight to tighten the screws, which is important. What I need is this: how do I know that I need to make finer adjustments of positioning? This is what we need.

[ZapposHowTo]

@ScottHagaman The cleats must be tight enough that they won’t move when you are clipped in to the pedals or you won’t be able to get out as the cleat would just rotate.As far as positioning, the cleat needs to be placed around the ball of the foot. Generally you start your pedal stroke at the 9:00 position. Drop a plumb bob from the front of your knee and it should split the spindle of the pedal in half.

[ZapposHowTo]

@ScottHagaman Positioning can change from each person based on comfort, pain issues during the pedal stroke and compensation for leg length discrepancy. Professional bike fitters can help with this if a consumer is having issues.

[Xan173]

Some info on aligning pedal axle, ball of foot, and centre line on the cleat would have been more helpful.

[ZapposHowTo]

@Xan173 Thanks for the suggestion! This video is more of just attaching this cleat to the shoe. We will get working on a video which will address the topics you mentioned. Thanks again!

[ARX7ARBALESTZ7]

@ZapposHowTo Awesome thanks! One more thing, on my pedals how much tension am i suppose to set it to? I have it on the most loose setting so i can quickly snap out in an emergency.

[vandigital1]

why bother ... the way you tightened them, they surly will come loose !

[ScottHagaman]

You covered the easy part: what was in the directions. You gave one helpful suggestion: recommending starting the adjustment in the most neutral position. That's fair. You didn't show how tight to tighten the screws, which is important. What I need is this: how do I know that I need to make finer adjustments of positioning? This what we need.