Bike shoes...CRAZY question...

[j.nurse63]

Hi folks!

I went for my first ride today in my pedals and shoes. Yeah...I did not fall and had a great ride!!! I have read so much here on the site and felt I did my homework before finally venturing into the world of clips.
So, my question...HOW the heck do you walk/stop/protect the clip on the shoes?? I figure as you stop, you lean the weight on the heel. But the starting momentum is hard to achieve and my clips are scratched and beat on from the first ride. Is there a trick to this? Do I even worry about it?
Speedplay pedals, Sidi shoes...
Water stops, quick bathroom breaks....do I walk normal or need to protect the clip/cleat?
A very newbie question!
thanks,
jean

[emily_in_nc]

I also use Speedplay (X2) pedals on my road bikes, and yes, the cleats get scratched up almost immediately, especially on chip-seal roads. I use coffee shop covers when I'm going into a store or at a rest stop on gravel, but for stopping at a stop sign or whatever, yes, they are going to get scratched. That's a small negative of road shoes/cleat systems to me, as opposed to recessed cleats w/mountain shoes. The good thing is, they still function fine even if they don't look so purty.

Emily

[KatyLady]

I had the same issue when I used cleats with road shoes. I felt like I should walk on my heals and was concerned that my foot would slide on the cleat when coming to a stop. I sometimes used a set of the rubber covers if I needed to walk more than a few steps - but that was kind of a hassle. After a while I just broke down and got a set of Speedplay Frogs (MTN bike pedals). Of course that means I had to buy new shoes too. I now use the Frogs with Sidi mtn shoes and Keen Commuter sandals. With both of them I hardly notice the cleat while walking and still have the great comfort of Speedplays while riding. Just wish I had understood the difference in road and mountain shoes before I invested in the first set of pedals/shoes.

Obviously, a lot of people use road pedals/cleats without a problem and I could have continued with them . . . I just found that I prefer using mountain pedals on my road bike.

[rij73]

Yeah, my speedplay cleats got totally scratched up immediately too. They have continued to work fine a year later...

[bike4ever]

You can get cleat covers for your speedplays. These are little small caps that you snap on when you need to be off the bike.

[OakLeaf]

Cleats are a wear item, meant to be replaced several times during the lifetime of the pedals. They're about $20 a pair for most brands.

I don't use cleat covers, and I just replaced my Look Keo cleats after about 3000 miles. (They were due a couple of hundred miles earlier, I was pushing it some ) My usage is probably average. I don't use my road bike for in-town commuting, so it's only when I'm getting in and out of town on group rides that I'm constantly stopping at stop signs and lights. I only do a few organized tours a year (getting off my bike and walking a longer distance to a food stop, etc).

Personally, my pockets are already jammed full of enough junk that if I were to carry cleat covers, I'd have to get one of those top tube bags. Where they would be most useful IMO is in two places: very muddy surfaces (so you don't have to dig the mud out of your cleats before re-mounting), and very slippery surfaces like slate or flagstone walkways and stairs.

[TrekJeni]

I agree with OakLeaf - I have Speedplay zero's and find the coffee shop covers a hassle. I bought a pair last year, used them once, and said "this is a pain". I've had these for a little over a year and still no issues. I'll replace the cleats when/if necessary.

TrekJeni

[j.nurse63]

thanks for the tips. I figured they would get scratched and worn...then at some point need to be replaced. I did not know there was a difference in design with mtn. bike pedals/clips.

Second ride today with the pedals. Ha....there is one spot where the incline is steep, traffic light and I need to go left. Well....that was interesting!!! I made it, didn't fall and was able to quickly clip in, but at some point the truck behind me probably thought I was going to loose it. He gave me safe clearance, thank goodness!!

I may invest in the covers. May be worth carrying for certain rides.
Thanks again!
Jean

[Red Rock]

I always use my cleat covers. I would rather protect them and feel like I have grip when I am walking someplace even if it is not that far. I use the Look system as well.

I thought I would give you my two cents.

Red Rock

[ilima]

I have the Speedplay cafe covers, but I don't really use them much. Only right before I ride when I'm all kitted up and haven't actually left. Despite the scratches, I've had no problems with my pedals. No issues with mud making the cleats unable to engage, but I am careful about where I walk.

Every few months I'll do a superficial cleaning and dry lube the cleats, which keeps them working like butter. Maybe twice a year I'll unscrew the cleats and do a more thorough cleaning.

[Crankin]

The cleat covers are really necessary so you don't get stuff like sand, grass, or mud in your cleats (Speedplays). They always go on as soon as I am off of the bike; not because of scratching the cleats, but because it is nasty to try to clip in when dirt gets in there. I once used almost a whole water bottle trying to get sand out of my cleats when stopped at a beach. And then there was the time my husband fell right on his azz as we walked to into the lobby of a hotel on a bike tour in Quebec. It was raining, they were wet, and believe me, he wished he had his cleat covers on.
I lube my cleats every 3-4 weeks and they work like a charm.

[j.nurse63]

OK....just ordered the cleat covers!! Thanks!!!
The last thing I care to do is fall on my azzzz!
jean