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Squeaky shoes?

I've got some pearl spd shoes that I guess have finally broken in, and now have an awesome squeak in the sole. Its especially audible on climbs, and considering the ms150 is two weeks away, I'd like to try to do something about it so I don't lose my mind.


Its the quest model with polycarb soles, anyone have advice on soothing these squeaks?


(Obvious answer: buy better shoes, but I'm poor for the time being and just had myself fitted at upmc so I don't mess up my knee for the ms150 again - not the best time to switch shoes)


robjdlc
2010-05-31 21:54:36

I am almost positive it is not the shoes themselves.


What pedals/cleats are you running?


mayhew
2010-06-01 00:39:40

I have some pearl spd mtn bike shoes that have the same problem. At first they were fine, but I guess with my everyday abuse (and lots of soakings in the rain), they've started giving me a squeak that is starting to drive me nuts.


If you solve it, let me know how.


dwillen
2010-06-01 01:29:28

It is the shoes themselves, I can feel it and reproduce the noise by hand.


I'm wondering if some sort of oil might help, but the shoe is entirely synthetic, cant imagine it working.


Shimano spd / wellgo single sided pedals.


robjdlc
2010-06-01 01:56:48

If it's something about the construction of the shoe itself, you could try taking it to the Squirrel Hill shoe repair on Murray, maybe they can figure it out.

Many years ago, before Nike and Payless, people used to repair shoes...


edmonds59
2010-06-01 02:38:19

I've had shoe noise issues before... but can't say I've ever addressed them... I generally wait and hope for it to go away.


dmtroyer
2010-06-01 05:41:55

It is the shoes themselves, I can feel it and reproduce the noise by hand.


You've probably done this, but have you tried removing the cleat screws (you can do it one at a time to preserve the alignment and put a tiny amount of lube on the screw and re-tighten? A screw (I suppose they are really bolts) with just a tiny bit of play could squeak.


jeffinpgh
2010-06-01 12:25:34

Back in the days before Nike and Payless, shoes used to squeak, too. Something about not having paid the cobbler's bill...


lyle
2010-06-01 13:31:16

keep in mind that with stiff things, vibrations travel really well. so, similar to a bike, if there's a creak somewhere in the shoe or something connected to the shoe, it will likely feel like it's coming from any given spot on the shoe. learned that lesson a few times.


hiddenvariable
2010-06-01 13:55:13

Really? You can flex the shoe in your hand and make it happen? Weird.


Best bet is to pull the cleats out and coat the bolts with anti-seize. 99 cent at the counter of your auto parts store. If you can lightly lube the plate they bolt into that would be good too. Sometimes you can access that via a hole under the ball of your foot inside the shoe. Sometimes that's sealed.


Otherwise WD-40 from time to time although that's not a great solution since it will attract grit.


mayhew
2010-06-01 14:14:02

Coated with anti-seize the day I bought them.


After playing around with them it seems to be mostly in the top of the shoe - not the sole, so I'm going to try a little bit of oil to see if that helps.


robjdlc
2010-06-01 21:47:36

I'd try beeswax before oil.


lyle
2010-06-02 00:42:44