2 bikes and 2 different spd pedals question.

[tsddave]

I decided to get spd petals for both my racing bike and mountain bike.

I have one set from VP and one set shimano.

I notice that on the shimano pedals it warns to not use cleats from other brands.
Should I switch the cleats on my shoes depending on which bike I use?
Is this really a problem seeing as they are both spd?

I wonder if anyone else has used cleats from a different brand with spd pedals?

 

[zexel]

Shimano have to say that.... one reasons being safety. It's not something I'd want to experiment with when a quick exit off the bike is required.

Saying all that, if you try them out and find that they work fine then I can't see why not. It just precludes you from suing Shimano if something nasty happened.

 

[TheDoctor]

Never noticed an issue with interchangeability.
I use Ritchey, Wellgo, Shimano and Bikehut (sorry ) SPD pedals on different bikes, and I have no idea what cleats are actually on the shoes.
They just work.

 

[vickster]

I use the cleats that came with my Wellgo pedals in my Shimano M520s as well, seems fine, I keep the tension loose though as I mainly ride busy roads and am clipless-clueless

 

[henshaw11]

There *have* been some differences between manufacturers over the years (I've been caught out on a mate's bike some years ago but I suspect they're now mostly very similar. There have been changes too to Shimano cleats over the years (the cleats on my original pedals circa-90 or 91 are different to the current lot, but work ok tho' with more float).

AFAIA the SH56 are multi release, SH51, SH52 twist-out. The 52s were the only ones to be used with the 858 pedal but I *think* should work with other shimano pedals, from a quick look on the web..

Just try comparing the pedal mechanism/cleat profiles - if they engage ok and feel secure, you should be fine. The one difference you may find is the amount of float you get with different cleat/pedal combinations, and you *do* need some degree of float to keep your knees happy.

 

[gaz]

#34 of the rules

Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place.
On a mountain bike.

 

[tsddave]

Thanks alot for all the useful replies guys...its much appreciated! I guessed as much but better safe than sorry. The cleats supplied by both companies seem pretty much identical.

 

[tsddave]

#34 of the rules

There are some really silly rules there in that list...this being one of them!