Cleat Covers

[surgtech1956]

Do you have cleat covers? I just bought some clipless pedals. I don't want to ruin my pedals. Thank you

[m.eliza]

What kind of shoes/cleats do you have? If you have mountain or touring shoes, you really don't need cleat covers. The recessed sole protects the cleats. I use them because I have a road system and do a fair amount of walking on my cleats. If you're really worried about your cleats then buy covers. They run about $10.

[indysteel]

The cleat covers protect the cleats, not the pedals. I have a set for my Look Keos. I rarely use them, however. I don't typically walk enough in my road shoes to bother with them. Look also started putting little rubber grips on their cleats. That makes walking in them a bit easier. I do bring them with me for a couple event rides I do where there is a bit of extra walking at the SAG stops, so from that standpoint, they are handy to have.

[loopybunny]

I have Speedplay Zero pedals and I do have the covers for the cleats. I love them. In order to ride my bike at all, I have to haul my bike up and down a concrete staircase and down a sidewalk to the complex parking lot. I also frequently stop for coffee or something when I'm riding with friends. I ripped up my first pair of cleats quickly and they're very expensive to replace. It's worth the money for the covers for some added protection. Cleats are considered consumable so don't expect them to last forever, but the covers will lengthen their life.

[OakLeaf]

I have Keos also and don't use covers. The cleats are $20 a pair - I get about 3,000 miles out of the right one (the foot I put down at stop signs, when obviously you can't use a cover) and about 6,000 miles out of the left. Covers aren't worth the hassle or the pocket space, IMO - I've already got enough cr*p in my jersey pockets, and I definitely don't need stuff tracked up off the ground in the same pocket with my lip moisturizer, chamois cream and gels.

[Crankin]

I have Speedplay X pedals and I don't walk one step without putting the covers on. As said earlier, covers are for the cleats, not the pedals. I am very hard on cleats, I have slipped and fallen, and getting one speck of dirt in Speedplays makes it impossible to clip in. I love my pedals/cleats and have no desire to change, and I don't see what the big deal is about putting the covers on. They fit easily in a jersey pocket or my seat bag. I have spds on my other bike and my knees hurt every time I ride that bike.

[surgtech1956]

I have Shimano A520 pedals and Shimano WM61 mtn shoes. I'm going to put the pedals on today. m.eliza, maybe I don't need the covers then, the soles are recessed. Thank you

[Aggie_Ama]

We've only used them when DH road Speedplays because they constantly needed greasing which ruined the carpet when he wandered in the house. They may have changed the maintenance necessary, he switched to Look Keos shortly after I did in 2007. They also had the problem Crankin mentioned that they don't take dirt well and most charity rides have rest stops in dirt/gravel parking lots. I have some for the Keos mainly carried for rides with excessive long climbs that I may end up having to walk. I used them for the last 1/4 mile of a mountain pass I couldn't make. I got about 2,500-3,000 miles out of my first set of cleats, replaced the pair because I changed to a different style of Look cleats (have a rubber part at tip).

Obviously you know you don't need them but someone else might need the info.