Bont Vaypor & Shimano Cleat Issues?

Sammyw23

Evening - had pretty much decided to pull the trigger on some Vaypors and then started wading through the 50 page thread on WW about bont shoes until I came across a couple of people saying that because the shimano spd sl cleat is curved that you need a shim to make it sit flush on the sole and if you don't it flexs/wobbles?

Just after some confirmation of how much of an issue this is as there is little mention anywhere else online.

Cheers

Sammyw23

This is the post from WW if anyone is interested:

The problem is that the bottom of the Bont shoes is much flatter than the round profile of the Shimano cleat. When you tighten the cleat bolts, the cleat is deformed as it takes the shape of the shoe.

Try offering the cleat up to the shoe and eyeballing it from the side and you'll see what I mean.

When I was using Shimano pedals I had a stick a few bits of cut down margarine tub under the cleat to stop it bending.

At the moment I'm on speedplay, and I have the alu base plate with only the front shim. As the alu plate is much stronger then the plastic ones, it can do without the rear shim.

I think it's a fundamental flaw with Bont shoes in general.

pitchshifter

I have the A-threes (similar sole I think), I was worried about this but took the plunge anyway. It did take some tightening to get the cleats to stay put while out riding but once they are on tight enough they are fine.

lovestheclimb

had to get rid of mine because the moving of the cleat was irritating me too much! I could just feel slight movement when clipped in on the front and back of the pedal if it makes sense.

I'd be skeptical about vaypors and spd-sl cleats.

Sammyw23

In what way does the cleat rock back and forth - not sure I understand when the cleat is pinned down in 3 points?

lovestheclimb

basically the shoes sole is flat... the spd-sl cleat is curved so when you bolt it down it changes the total length of the cleat, resulting in slight movement when clipped in to the pedal; and nothing can be done to stop, well nothing i tried stopped it!

I apologise it's quite hard to explain

CRAIGO5000

Some Googling about two pairs of Vaypors and SPD-SL cleat/pedal combos on two bikes has brought me here.

Mine rattle and click on a peddle stoke and so I now know this to be an issue. I'm now going to try and shim the gap with an old milk plastic carton to prevent the cleat from deforming and hopefully then stop the annoying the "click" I get when putting the hammer down...

undapressure

No problem on mine, they work fine together

janesy

Speedplay are also incompatible. sold my bonts due to the cleat not sitting flat.
um quietly laughing to my self that shimano dont work.

petemadoc

janesy wrote:

Speedplay are also incompatible. sold my bonts due to the cleat not sitting flat.
um quietly laughing to my self that shimano dont work.

Nooooooooo

I was thinking of getting the bonts from wiggle. After some more research if sounds like you can sand down the shim to make it fit. Anyone else tried this?

lini

Hello,
What do you think is best choice of shoes to be compatible with speedplay zero pedals?

richiegwy

janesy wrote:

Speedplay are also incompatible. sold my bonts due to the cleat not sitting flat.
um quietly laughing to my self that shimano dont work.

I have speedplay on my new vapours and they are fine. In fact they sit really well due to the wide sole. Just need to get the moulding and insole sorted