Cleats...how long do they last and what can you do to preserve them?

[Maylian]

So cycling to work yesterday and as I go to unclip my foot just slides out rather than releasing. I check and there is a bit of wear on the side but otherwise they looked ok. Cycling home in the evening I take it easy to avoid my foot flying out as it is only the side that has worn down and the front is remaining solid against the pedal. Having learnt from previous experience where it has flown out only for the pedal to crack against my heel.

Now I know I'm no prima ballerina and at 6'4" and quite broad (aka a bit tubby) I probably put a bit of wear through the cleats but I seem to go through mine quite quickly. I would hazard a guess that I walk about 300 metres on them each journey to work, although half that is carpeted. I may well start putting trainers in our bike shed and just change in to them when I pull up. I know that wear is likely to be uneven due to resting on a preferred foot but was wondering what other peoples experiences are and any tips for extending their life.

I know they're not expensive at £10-20 but any pointers would be welcome.

 

[mangid]

Hmm, wear on the side isn't going to be related to walking on them, is it, or maybe I'm misunderstanding where the wear is ? I've worn mine down to the point were the bolts are significantly worn many times before changing them and sometimes have had to replace because the plate cracks. Always well after the point the text is worn away. Are you sure you've got them angled correctly, is the wear coming because you're pushing them against the pedal whilst you ride ?

 

[gaz]

I take it you are using something like SPD-SL, look keo's or time atecs.

If the wear is just on one foot and it's on the foot you unclip with first. Then it will be down to stopping and starting. Make sure you don't push off with that foot when setting off. You want to push down with the foot clipped in and lift your self off the ground, and not push off with the foot on the floor as it will wear the cleat away.

You can get plastic covers for when you are walking to prolong the life, but it doesn't sound like your issue is coming from that.

 

[Maylian]

They are normal SPD-SL cleats (yellow). The wear on the sde was a one off, normally it is the front of the cleat so it slips out. This I would presume is maybe from pushing off and also the way I walk when I walk in them.

I have them angled in a way that seems pretty comfortable to me, whether that is causing the wear I can't say. I may try adjusting it, but I know from running I have issues with the knees and once when I replaced one of the cleats it was not the right angle and caused some pain. I might look into plastic covers but I was just under the impression that they didn't last very long for most people. I might end up getting my style checked out by someone and see what they think, I tend to put almost 0 float on the peddles so I don't know if that combined with the angle that I have them would cause increased amounts of wear.

 

[uclown2002]

pics?

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

I got fed up of wearing cleats out so I bought cleat covers, then got fed up of wearing these out. So, I bought a new set of covers then soled them with some electricians matting, this wears out after about 12 weeks but its a simple job to stick on some more

 

[Lanzecki]

I use SPD's and MTB shoes. On a road bike!!! Ohh, the horror! I use MTB shoes so I can walk without breaking an ankle, saving the cleat is an added bonus.

To be honest I'd never use SL because of these problems. Plastic, very large, and unwalkable. Great if you are a pro and they are replaced every ride, not for the rigors or day to day use.

Yes it's an MTB shoe (Shimano something) but they look very similar to road shoes just with a more pronounced tread.

Ok, so the real Anti's will dislike the pedal's, but realistically once the shoe is in the pedal who cares.

Edited : Not Shimano shoes.. Spuik zs22 The road Version is the Zs22r google them, little difference.

 

[ianrauk]

I use SPD's and MTB shoes. On a road bike!!! Ohh, the horror! I use MTB shoes so I can walk without breaking an ankle, saving the cleat is an added bonus.

To be honest I'd never use SL because of these problems. Plastic, very large, and unwalkable. Great if you are a pro and they are replaced every ride, not for the rigors or day to day use.

Yes it's an MTB shoe (Shimano something) but they look very similar to road shoes just with a more pronounced tread.

Ok, so the real Anti's will dislike the pedal's, but realistically once the shoe is in the pedal who cares.

^^^ This
I have had one cleat wear out in just over 3 years & 20,000+ miles of commuting in all weathers

 

[ColinJ]

Like a lot of people, I am using SPDs on all my bikes now.

I may eventually put my old Look pedals back on my best bike when I have lowered its gearing so I am confident of not having to dismount on steep climbs. I slightly prefer the extra stability of the bigger cleats, and have a pair of good Sidi shoes which are not getting any use now. I had the same wear problem with the Look cleats that the OP is describing. I used to carry cleat covers with me, but it isn't worth putting them on for short stops. I also had a couple of near misses when I tried clipping in with the covers still over the cleats!

 

[Dragonwight]

I also use SPD with Spesh MTB shoes and they have just been changed around the 20k mark including lots of walking. I wouldn't bother with road shoes now not when MTB shoes are not far off the same weight with similar stiffness and the ability to walk in them properly.

 

[totallyfixed]

The delta shaped cleats are made of cheese for a good reason, it is where bike companies make their money. I have to change my Look Keo cleats twice a year on average and that is with rubber cleat covers. Another thing to watch with this type of shoe is the rubber or whatever is used on the heel, because when this goes it is difficult to find a replacement, and it will certainly wear out quickly walking on it.
As gaz has said, a lot of clipping in and out will add to the wear, learning to track stand helps with this, it is a skill worth acquiring.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Anyone recommend any of the less expensive 'Keo compatible' cleats? - and which ones?

 

[adscrim]

The attached image is off my two year old cleats, in which I don't walk further than the length of the garage without cleat covers on. I don't see getting them on or off, or carrying them about as a hassle at all.

With regards cheap cleats, I check ebay and online retailer sales every so often and buy a few pairs at a time when I find them cheap. The last lot I got from Planet X for £9 a set - that was a few years ago now and I still have 3 sets in their packaging.

 

[Labradorofperception]

I use Time pedals.

Apparently the cleat industry contributes 35% of French GDP which is why they only last a little longer than a mayfly.

 

[Demonclimber]

Agree all of the above re, ssssssshhhhh, mountain bike shoes/cleats. Cleats take a million miles to wear out, no slipping and sliding around - especially at my advanced age - and especially Shimano shoes MTB shoes just tend to fit a little better with my flattening, widening feet and I can get another pair of socks on too for chilly days (ie anytime from Jan to Dec in the Lakes).