Cleat Covers

[bcipam]

When I used Speedplays I was a fanatic about using the covers. OK so they fell off once in a while but without them, I would get dirt or worse in the cleats and then the cleats were useless. I did almost a whole century (Tour De Tucson) not being able to engage my pedals because 1) I forgot my covers and 2) after the first "water" crossing (those that have done this ride know what I mean) the cleat got dirty and I getting engage the pedal. Talk about really sore feet after!

Speedplay folks - get covers. You will thank me later!

[CR400]

If you don't need the covers then don't get them. I like a few on here have speedplays. I have used them in various conditions with and without covers. But I prefer them especially if it is muddy. I actually had more trouble clipping in because I forgot to lube the cleat springs once then stepping in mud a few times.

[HillSlugger]

I have mtb shoes with spd cleats. When the cleats were brand new I'd hear them crunching on the pavement a little bit but it never did any damage more than create some scratches. Now, I just don't worry about it.

BTW I accidentally found that there are spd covers!

[7rider]

I have mtb shoes with spd cleats. When the cleats were brand new I'd hear them crunching on the pavement a little bit but it never did any damage more than create some scratches. Now, I just don't worry about it.

BTW I accidentally found that there are spd covers!

Those are covers for the SPD-SL cleat - Shimano's road cleat -- a bit different than the common mountainbike cleat. It's actually more like a Look cleat.

I have mtb SPD's on my commuter and mtb. I don't bother worrying about covers for those (not that they're available anyway).

[DebW]

When I used Speedplays I was a fanatic about using the covers. OK so they fell off once in a while but without them, I would get dirt or worse in the cleats and then the cleats were useless. I did almost a whole century (Tour De Tucson) not being able to engage my pedals because 1) I forgot my covers and 2) after the first "water" crossing (those that have done this ride know what I mean) the cleat got dirty and I getting engage the pedal. Talk about really sore feet after!

Speedplay folks - get covers. You will thank me later!

Thanks for the advice, Pam. On several occassions, I've stopped on the road, taken my shoe off, and started beating it on the curb to get sand out of the cleat. That worked pretty well. Splashing in a water puddle didn't. Having to change a tire on the side of the road, especially in rain, always mucks up the cleats. Yup, I need covers.