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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Columbia River Gorge
    Posts
    3,565

    Exclamation Remember to replace your cleats

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    Just a friendly reminder to check your cleats and replace them every year or so.

    I did a bike fit today and the rider had very worn cleats resulting in more play on the pedal than there should have been.

    It reminded me to check and replace my own cleats on my commuter/mtn shoes. These are SPD and they were so rusted in I couldn't get one screw out and had to take a hacksaw to it. The new cleats are working great and I should've replaced them about 8 months ago!

    Cleats are cheap and work so much better when they are new. Most cleats have a wear marker on them that you can check. If you let your cleats go too long, it can damage your shoe. A damaged pair of shoes is a lot more expensive than a pair of cleats. This truly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

    Happy riding.
    Living life like there's no tomorrow.

    http://gorgebikefitter.com/


    2007 Look Dura Ace
    2010 Custom Tonic cross with discs, SRAM
    2012 Moots YBB 2 x 10 Shimano XTR
    2014 Soma B-Side SS

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    I track mileage on mine. I use SportTracks, but for those who don't use a fitness app, it's easy enough to keep a spreadsheet of all your wear items - chain, cassettes, tires, cables, and cleats, and just remember to enter mileage periodically. I typically get around 3,000 miles out of my right cleat, the one I unclip first, and 5,000 miles from the left.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    329
    Quote Originally Posted by Wahine View Post
    Just a friendly reminder to check your cleats and replace them every year or so.

    I did a bike fit today and the rider had very worn cleats resulting in more play on the pedal than there should have been.

    It reminded me to check and replace my own cleats on my commuter/mtn shoes. These are SPD and they were so rusted in I couldn't get one screw out and had to take a hacksaw to it. The new cleats are working great and I should've replaced them about 8 months ago!

    Cleats are cheap and work so much better when they are new. Most cleats have a wear marker on them that you can check. If you let your cleats go too long, it can damage your shoe. A damaged pair of shoes is a lot more expensive than a pair of cleats. This truly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

    Happy riding.
    Do regular spd's have this marker? (and if so, what to look for?...)Thanks!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Columbia River Gorge
    Posts
    3,565
    Quote Originally Posted by tealtreak View Post
    Do regular spd's have this marker? (and if so, what to look for?...)Thanks!
    I'm not sure about all SPD cleats, but mine do not. I can tell when mine need replacing because there is too much play between my shoe and the pedal. They also become harder to clip out of and can get noisy (squeaking or clicking).

    In general, I just assume that my cleats will need replacing about once per year. I'd rather pay $20 for new cleats than deal with pedal issues that might be related to cleat wear.

    ETA: Keep in mind that I ride A LOT. So once a year is probably more often than most.
    Living life like there's no tomorrow.

    http://gorgebikefitter.com/


    2007 Look Dura Ace
    2010 Custom Tonic cross with discs, SRAM
    2012 Moots YBB 2 x 10 Shimano XTR
    2014 Soma B-Side SS

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    329
    Quote Originally Posted by Wahine View Post
    I'm not sure about all SPD cleats, but mine do not. I can tell when mine need replacing because there is too much play between my shoe and the pedal. They also become harder to clip out of and can get noisy (squeaking or clicking).

    In general, I just assume that my cleats will need replacing about once per year. I'd rather pay $20 for new cleats than deal with pedal issues that might be related to cleat wear.

    ETA: Keep in mind that I ride A LOT. So once a year is probably more often than most.

    Thank you! I may be overdue to replace...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Rowland Hts, CA
    Posts
    461
    Thanks. I didn't even know.

    I'll show my shoes to the bike shop next time I go
    2014 Liv Lust
    2013 Specialized Fate Expert with carbon wheelset (sold)
    2012 Specialized Amira Elite
    2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals (sold)

    2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Concord, MA
    Posts
    13,394
    My left (Speedplay X) cleat has to be replaced quite regularly, from unclipping. DH swears Imust drag my foot on the ground when I stop (I don't), but Ialways know when it's time, because I start have trouble clipping in, that no amount of lube can fix.
    2015 Trek Silque SSL
    Specialized Oura

    2011 Guru Praemio
    Specialized Oura
    2017 Specialized Ariel Sport

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    1,811
    in addition to replacing cleats when needed, it also pays to check them visually often for grit or embeddedstuff which may affect your ability to clip in or out. From one who has had the experience and is just saying.
    marni
    Katy, Texas
    Trek Madone 6.5- "Red"
    Trek Pilot 5.2- " Bebe"


    "easily outrun by a chihuahua."

 

 

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