Replacing cleats: singly or as a pair?

[OakLeaf]

How do you know when a cleat needs replacing?

Well it's a pretty good clue when there's a big chunk out of the little lip that's supposed to clip in to the front of the pedal. The last pair, I let go until I was having trouble clipping in with the one I use more. Keo cleats have wear indicators that I usually ignore, don't the others?

[derailed]

I'd replace them both, and keep the old ones as emergency backup. It seems likely to easier to get used to one being stiffer from new-ness if both are.

[aicabsolut]

Depends on the cleat. I use KEOs and they have wear indicators, but I usually have to replace them a little bit early. I wear out one corner a bit faster and it does something that pisses off my knee before the cleat gets to the increased risk of breaking thinness.

[smilingcat]

X series of speed play doesn't have wear indicators.

First time I broke one, the spring gave out and my feet didn't stay clipped in. Every time on the up cycle, my foot/shoes/cleets would pop off the pedal. Most annoying. So when it starts getting thin or looking pretty beat, I replace the cleets. Replace once a year maybe?

The amount of money I save by waiting till it breaks just isn't worth it. I have very little patience for worn and breaking equipment. Besides, when its amortized over time, I think cleets are pretty cheap.

smilingcat