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Retrofitz Makes Any Shoe Clipless, Offers DIY Cleat System

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Retrofitz SPD DIY Conversion Kit

Retrofitz is a new company that focuses on taking any pair of shoes and modding them for clipless bike use. Shown above is a DIY conversion system they sell for $50 that includes two nylon plates, a few bolts and an instruction manual. It makes any shoe compatible with SPD, TIME offroad, Crank Brothers, Ritchey, and Speedplay Frogs.

They’re not going to be stiff, but neither were the Pearl Izumi X-Project 1.0‘s we tried at Interbike, and they were fantastic. If you’re not feeling the DIY, Retrofitz will also make your shoes for you in an array of styles. Images after the break…

Retrofitz SPD Conversion Adidas SambasThe clipless Adidas Samba runs $155 for any size. Specify what you want and they’ll make them for you.

Retrofitz Nikes Converted SPDAs if Nikes couldn’t get any fresher.

Retrofitz cleat diagram

Check out some Chuck Taylors, Asics, and more over at Retrofitz.

 

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19 Comments
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Dale
11 years ago

These are going to work great on my cowboy boots

Steve
11 years ago

I might be in the minority here, but I think it’s pretty cool. It could be that I’m influenced by the photos since I’m currently wearing Sambas.

Aaron
Aaron
11 years ago

Pretty cool idea, but I did it first: http://gearinches.com/blog/how-to/diy-cycling-shoes

However, if I try this again, I think I’ll give the Retrofitz a try and save myself some hassle.

Seldon
Seldon
11 years ago

It seems like you have to cut away a good portion of the sole, and the plastic sticks out pretty far making them semi-dangerous to walk in. I wouldn’t waste a perfectly good pair of shoes on that, but to each his own I suppose.

Gillis
Gillis
11 years ago

I kind of agree with Seldon that the protrusion takes away from the usefulness of the shoe as a regular street shoe. It’s still an interesting concept and perhaps with a thicker soled shoe it could be worthwhile to try. A pair of clipless Chuck Taylors would be pretty rad.

Ajax
Ajax
11 years ago

This isn’t going to work like people think. You HAVE to cut a big ass square on the bottom of your shoes for this to work. Check the pics doofuses.

pmurf
pmurf
11 years ago

@Ajax, who exactly in the comments is a doofus? I believe everyone understands that you have to cut a hole in the shoe. Hence the whole, you know, RETROFITing thing.

Nash
Nash
11 years ago

Flip flops anybody?

Ajax
Ajax
11 years ago

@psmurf, if you didn’t know from the pics alone that there is a big square that needs to be cut in the bottom of your shoes for this to work, then I don’t know how to help you. Reading glasses maybe?

Gregg
Gregg
11 years ago

I can make some winter riding boots that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Ultraclyde
Ultraclyde
11 years ago

I had the same initial reaction as Seldon, but with thicker-soled shoes like cross trainers, it might clear the TPU bumpers. Also, notice that the bumpers are removable, or at least they look to be since they’re screw mounted. Being TPU, I guess you could always trim-to-fit the bumpers as well, as long as your cleat choice cleared when walking. I think this is a great concept, but pricing seems a bit high. I’ll probably buy a set and give it a shot, but I’d have lower performance expectations if they were under $40.

Gary
Gary
11 years ago

@Ajax Who specifically is confused about the hole?

Just Looking
Just Looking
11 years ago

Even if it ruined the shoes for walking, this could be fun. $50 to turn some cowboy boots into somewhat usable novelty riding equipment, I can’t think of any weird cycling races that people would use these in ;).

@Ajax, trolling like a master! Now, let me introduce you to a playground called youtube…

Ummmm
Ummmm
11 years ago

@ Ajax.
Thank you so very much for your insite. Who would have thought that you would have to cut a hole in the shoe to install a cleat. (deleted)

Kyle
Kyle
11 years ago

This is the best solution to casual cycling shoes (not compared to DZR and Chrome). Also gives a a great re-purpose for an older pair!

But by the way – this company is not new and has been around for a few years now.

Bianca
Bianca
10 years ago

Well I am not sure about riding but I think a set on my dory with the Shimano SRD stretchers and my wading boots might be intersting, I would row anchor wade and fly cast. Now if only the SRD and SPD cleats were interchangeable then damn all the places I could tow,row,and fish.

kaz
kaz
10 years ago

I ordered a pair of converse sneakers fitted with cleats from Retrofitz in the US as a christmas present for my son. It wasn’t until after christmas when the shoes never arrived that Retrofitz told me they don’t fit in sizes larger than US size 12!

I have one very disappointed son who now thinks we can buy the kit and fit our own but I don’t know…I’ve looked at the instructions and the possibility of getting it wrong is high. If I were to buy the shoes and the kit, is there anyone out there (in London) who is confident and reliable who would fit them for me? Should I ask a bit shop? Or a cobbler?

gin
gin
10 years ago

where can buy

UrMom
UrMom
10 years ago

try it on some hoka one.one’s. That thick sole could handle it!

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