Is this is Shim or a Wedge?
#1
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Is this is Shim or a Wedge?
What is difference between shim and wedge - I'm confused. What is this on my cleat? What is its purpose!?!?!
#2
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I think shims & wedges are the same thing. these are mine. the photo shows 1, 2 & 3. I use 3 to change the lateral angle of my right shoe. these are spd pedals
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A shim is a thin wedge. They're both used to adjust the angle of the cleat relative to the shoe to achieve a better fit. As you can imagine, the shoe shapes available can vary greatly and you want good contact with the cleat for efficient power transfer.
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The difference (sometimes) is in use. Wedges are not captured by fasteners. They install in such a way that they could be removed by a hard knock. They are by definition temporary. A shim is predominatly flat, and becomes a functional part of the structure at the join interface, often times, but not necessarily with fasteners containing any movement. A shim is intended to be permanent.
I've seen (and made) some wedge shaped shims, but never any shim shaped wedges. I've used plenty of wedges to drive the structure apart so shims could be installed. By profession I installed wings on 777, 737, 787's for a good many years. This is my conclusion after a decade of experience on the matter.
I've seen (and made) some wedge shaped shims, but never any shim shaped wedges. I've used plenty of wedges to drive the structure apart so shims could be installed. By profession I installed wings on 777, 737, 787's for a good many years. This is my conclusion after a decade of experience on the matter.
Last edited by base2; 10-19-18 at 04:44 PM.
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Shim adjusts height, wedge adjusts angle.
#6
Interocitor Command
A wedge adjusts things by a skosh, whereas a shim adjusts things by a pinch.
#7
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Shim is flat, brings the whole shoe up relative to the pedal. Used to adjust for functional leg length differences. Wedges are thinner on one side than the other and change the angle of your foot along the axis of the pedal spindle. Usually used to tweak how your knee tracks over the pedal.
Can't really tell from the picture but it looks like a shim.
Can't really tell from the picture but it looks like a shim.
#8
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Whether it's something you actually need is impossible to tell - maybe ask the person who put it there?