rpecot

I did a ride this weekend and after the first stop, I couldn't get clipped in with either cleat. Toes would go in, but the back side would slip and slide out. Very aggravating, but I managed to finish. I went to the LBS and bought some replacements (Shimano SPD-SLs) and brought them home.

I guess I haven't been paying much attention to my cleats. How did they even work for the last few rides?

I got 2000 miles out of these. I was curious what kind of durability others have gotten out of their cleats?

68venable

It depends on how much walking I do in them. They last considerably longer if I use the cleat covers to walk around with. I've had 1 pair last 6 months and another last 1.5 years, using the covers.

DataJunkie

I have had a pair of look cleats last a few months and the next pair a year or so. Racing I seem to go through several looks a year and a set of spds (cx).

BoSoxYacht

I get about 10,000 miles out of Speedplay cleats before there feels like there is significant slop/rocking.

canam73

I spd-sl and the pair on my main shoes has at least 5000 road miles (and possibly that many more trainer miles). I don't tend to walk in them much, but some is unavailable.

Is the wear you guys are noticing from walking or clipping in and out?

DataJunkie

A walk through a gravel parking lot at a rest stop is a surefire way to significantly reduce the lifespan of look keo cleats.

68venable

Mine is from walking, more specifically, walking in gravel. A lot of the organized rides around here in the country have the rest stops in gravel lots for some reason.

bmthom.gis

I have >2000 miles on my currents cleats. They are worn but still work. I use them for commuting as well as fun rides.

indyfabz

Damn! Those were messed up. The surfaces upon which you walk can also play a role in how long they last. I have done some multi-day event rides where I had to walk on gravel to get into and out of rest stops. That can do some damage.

Hypno Toad

Depends on materials, I prefer Crank Bros; they use brass cleats and they do breakdown quicker than my old Shimano aluminium cleats. I also ride with MTB shoes, so the cleats are protected (receded) while I'm walking. I typically get a season, 4,000 to 5,000 miles.

alexaschwanden

My spd cleats seem to last forever, more than 10,000 miles and still going.

rpecot

That is from walking. In addition to weekend rides, I commute. Bike rack to the gym showers is the most walking I do. A few hundred feet I guess. I think I will invest in some cleat covers. See how long that prolongs the life.

These cleats were installed in April, so about 7 months old.

Thinking back a week... I nearly busted my butt on some stamped concrete as I pulled into a rest stop. I set my foot down and it slipped right out. Very nearly an "embarrassing moment." I guess that was an indication the cleats were pretty worn out.

Nachoman

I tend to replace my speedplay cleats about once a year, which is about every three to five thousand miles.
I used to use cleat covers but didn't notice much, if any, difference in how long the cleat would last.

RJM

I change cleats probably twice a year....I'm probably due to change them now. Look cleats are cheap, thankfully.

Vicegrip

Left cleat 3K miles. Right cleat 6K miles. Or so... I don't tend to keep track and swap them out as needed but about one set a year and I ride about 6K a year right now. Guess which foot I unclip at stops? Have noticed they require more force to clip in as they get near the end of their service life.

jimincalif

I have 4,000 miles on my left cleat and about 2,000 on my right. I unclip my right at stops. I replaced the right long before it got to the point in your picture. It still clipped in fine, but it started slipping on the pavement when I would push off from a start.

Bunyanderman

I had my right shimano pair fail in just 10 miles, the yellow grips fell of the first time I rode with them. This caused me to fall while opening a door for someone.

StanSeven

I used to get 2,000 miles or so on SPD-SLs but I did lots of group rides with walking. One group stopped at the half way point for snacks and we had coffee and pastries at the end. Lots of walking. Now that I've moved, most of my riding is by myself and it looks like I might double the wear.

If you commute, consider taking flip flops. They fit in most jersey pockets and make getting around to gym showers and restrooms.

chaadster

Man, you guys are hard on your cleats! Mine last so long, I count lifespan in seasons, not miles. I do have different shoes and cleats, but my main road cleats are Mavic that are in their 3rd season, probably 6k mile range, and will go into their fourth. I have Look cleats probably 4-5 years old, and SPDs approaching 10 years.

Maybe it's the spread of usage that makes them last, or that my rides tend to be short and focused, without many off-bike breaks, unlike charity rides. I don't do much walking in them at any rate.

Carbonfiberboy 

I have my SPDs on my Sidi Dominators. I lost my first pair of Dominators after about 50,000 miles. I had replaced the cleats once. The shoes were still functionally perfect.

zymphad

I walk very little, if I know I'll walk, I'll bring sandles on the ride.

But just from clipping in and out, the wear is significant. I'm really surprised considering we are clipping into bindings, that these cleats aren't made of more durable material.

SPD-SL here.

MikeyBoyAz

my Shimano yellows typically don't last more than 9 months. I usually replace the unclipped side twice as frequently as the other... so 9 months for left and about 18 months for right cleat.

Gramercy

Where's the best place to get the replacement cleats? Is Amazon the cheapest? I've seen prices range up to mid $30's for these cleats at the LBS.

MikeyBoyAz

Buying in bulk from the UK from ProBikeKit and the like typically gets me good deals. Worse case Amazon.

pdedes

Time RXS cleats, 15 000 km or so