In this article I will share my thoughts on the Crank Brothers Shoe Shields, protector shims for the SRS Carbon Soles of the Sidi Drako 2 mountain bike shoes. I’m using the Shimano SM-SH51 SPD cleats that connect the Sidi Drako 2 shoes with Shimano XTR PD-M9100 SPD Pedals on the Scott Scale 925.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Crank Brothers Shoe Shields Key Features
I’m using the Speedplay Carbon Sole Protector kit on the carbon sole of my Sidi Wire SP road cycling shoes for many years now (as of 2015), so I’m used to the concept of protecting your carbon soles. In the Sidi Drako 2 mountain bike shoe-review I wrote about the replaceable MTB carbon plate:
[…] also the reinforcement plate to which you bolt the Shimano SPD XRT M9100 cleats and the replaceable MTB carbon plate can be exchanged. This certainly adds to the lifetime of your shoes, even in the hard conditions of mountain biking.
The Crank Brothers Shoe Shields are in concept doing the same heavy lifting as the Speedplay Carbon Sole Protector kit. It is a small stainless steel plate or shim that is installed between the cleat and the carbon sole. The Sidi Wire SP cycling shoes don’t offer the replaceable carbon plate option, so the need there is even bigger than in the mountain bike segment of shoes. However given the price point of a pair of Sidi shoes it is a no-brainer to go for some extra protection on the long run.
Some Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedals (as well as Time ATAC pedals) can grind into the carbon soles of mountain bike shoes, given the pedal design. Probably influenced by the wing design for mud-shedding capabilities and float of the foot that both Eggbeater and Time ATAC offer. The Crank Brother Shoe Shields simply solves the pedal eats sole issue.
Installation Crank Brothers Shoe Shields
Installation of the Crank Brothers Shoe Shields is very similar to the installation of the Speedplay Walkable Cleats (and the Speedplay Carbon Sole Protector kit):
- Install the Crank Brothers Shoe Shields on the carbon sole, with some Dynamic Carbon Assembly Paste with Micropearls between the shim and the sole;
- Put the mid-section of Shimano SM-SH51 SPD cleats on the metal protector kit and make sure the bolt holes are aligned;
- Apply some Morgan Blue Aquaproof Paste (or Motorex Bike Grease 2000) on the threads of the cleat bolts;
- Turn the Shimano SM-SH51 SPD cleats bolts into the sole, but don’t fix them yet;
- Fine-tuning of Fore / Aft positioning and Q-Factor of the cleats with help of the Ergon TP1 Cleat tools for Shimano SPD;
- Tighten the bolts the torque specification with the Stahlwille Manoskop 730N/2 Mechanical Torque Wrench or the Wera 7515 Kraftform Safe-Torque Speed Torque Screwdriver 2-6 Nm;
- You are ready to go and click into the pedals;
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the Crank Brothers Shoe Shields is around € 8,99 or € 9,99 which for me personally is reasonable to have this extra layer of protection on the carbon soles of the Sidi Drako 2 SRS mountain bike shoes.
One could argue that the price point of the Sidi spare part “replaceable MTB carbon plate” is just € 5,90. But I value the additional protection. Also for non-Sidi users the Crank Brothers Shoe Shields are valuable.
Please check out the review (in Dutch) Crankbrothers Shoe Shields | MTB.guide that covers the combination of Shimano carbon mountain bike shoes, with Time ATAC pedals. Jeffrey did have some difficulties in set-up of the Time ATAC cleats and saddle, which hasn’t been applicable in my very own scenario.
- Are you using Crank Brothers Shoe Shields ?
- What set-up of pedals and shoes are you using the Shoe Shields with ?
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