For Cleat’s Sake! - an update
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
For Cleat’s Sake! - an update
Originally posted about the rapid wear of my Shimano cleats, to the point of failure, approx. 3 months after purchasing them (along with new everything, inc. bike, on switching from running to cycling).
(https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1243808-cleat-s-sake.html)
Whilst I didn’t feel I walked excessively in them, I cut out 99% of time on my feet in my cycling shoes (essentially the walk from the bike shed at work to the changing rooms, 50m or so) and the new pair lasted…four months.
It’s the left one that failed again (and I do tend to unclip that one more often) but, as you can see in the pictures, both are pretty shot.
I bought four pairs of SPD-SL when I first wore them out and when I’ve used them all up I’ll change system to SPD.
But still baffling! They’re meant to last a couple of years, I’m going through around four pairs per year at this point! Haha
(https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1243808-cleat-s-sake.html)
Whilst I didn’t feel I walked excessively in them, I cut out 99% of time on my feet in my cycling shoes (essentially the walk from the bike shed at work to the changing rooms, 50m or so) and the new pair lasted…four months.
It’s the left one that failed again (and I do tend to unclip that one more often) but, as you can see in the pictures, both are pretty shot.
I bought four pairs of SPD-SL when I first wore them out and when I’ve used them all up I’ll change system to SPD.
But still baffling! They’re meant to last a couple of years, I’m going through around four pairs per year at this point! Haha
#2
For The Fun of It
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,845
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2134 Post(s)
Liked 1,643 Times
in
825 Posts
Have you considered Crank Brothers pedals and MTB shoes? They may not work for your kind of riding, but that's what I use on my road bike.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,760
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,200 Times
in
760 Posts
It's really odd that the cleats are wearing out this fast. But your idea is good of switching to "two hole" cleats (Shimano SPD, Crank Brothers, Time ATAC, etc. etc) which can be used with shoes with bottom tread (usually called mountain bike shoes, but also touring shoes, gravel shoes, etc). A lot of these type of shoes are as good for sole stiffness and as the best road shoes, and are still highly walkable. I have Sidi Road shoes and MTB shoes and they are virtually identical except for the tread on the MTB shoes.
.
.
#5
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,107
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 852 Post(s)
Liked 1,433 Times
in
815 Posts
IME. spd-sl cleats wear out quickly with relatively few steps. They last quite a while if not walked on. I do now have cleat covers, they work and are convenient. I do prefer dual sided spd for most of my riding. I detect very little difference in the use of the two types, but for me, spd seems to simplify the process, and they last forever.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,220
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18403 Post(s)
Liked 15,495 Times
in
7,317 Posts
A couple of years? Maybe under ideal conditions. Maybe.
#7
Senior Member
I switched from Look pedals to Shimano road pedals 3 years ago and am using the original cleats the pedals came with. Looking at them shows no real significant wear. I don't walk around in them except if I stop for food or drink. Not sure why one would walk around in them, but that is what wears them out.
Likes For TiHabanero:
#8
LR÷P=HR
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,161
Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 862 Post(s)
Liked 1,195 Times
in
687 Posts
I purchased Shimano cleats from the store that has everything and the rubber bumpers were gone within 2 weeks.
Purchased again from my local sporting goods store and months later still have rubber bumpers.
I guess I received a “bad” set.
Can’t believe anyone would fake them.
Barry
Purchased again from my local sporting goods store and months later still have rubber bumpers.
I guess I received a “bad” set.
Can’t believe anyone would fake them.
Barry
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
I will say...again...I've never seen anyone wear out SPD-SL cleats that fast. I've used them myself for years and I can't remember the last time I had to replace a set because they were worn that much. You're walking too much OP, or dragging your feet constantly. It's the only answer.
Likes For cxwrench:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,892
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4792 Post(s)
Liked 3,918 Times
in
2,548 Posts
Get KoolKovers, rubber covers that fit over the cleat and that you can hang from your toolbag while riding. $15 (pre-COVID). Stops walking wear and makes footing on slippery surfaces far more secure. My cleats die from wear at the pedal and that takes quite a while. Linoleum floors are much more fun to walk on and and I fon't feel the money slipping out of my wallet when I walk on concrete.
Likes For 79pmooney:
#11
Junior Member
OR…..bring a pair of flip flops you can easily slip on if you’re going to be walking around a bit. They’ll fit in your jersey pockets. Or….You could just carry your shoes on that 50yd walk from the shed to the road while wearing the flip flops and then just leave them there in the grass or behind a bush until you get back.
I’ve got the same type cleats and I get a couple years out of them, and that’s riding 7-10,000 miles per year, but I almost never walk further than about 20’, from the store front to the bathroom to the ice machine and back to the bike, on a smooth tile floor. I wear flips in the garage while getting ready and put my bike shoes on just 5’ from my bike, take 3 steps and I’m riding.
I’ve got the same type cleats and I get a couple years out of them, and that’s riding 7-10,000 miles per year, but I almost never walk further than about 20’, from the store front to the bathroom to the ice machine and back to the bike, on a smooth tile floor. I wear flips in the garage while getting ready and put my bike shoes on just 5’ from my bike, take 3 steps and I’m riding.
#12
Senior Member
Plastic cleats wear as you found out. I converted to Shimano SPD pedals and MTB shoes around 7 years ago, and that's one reason why. The SPD cleats are stainless, somewhat recessed in the MTB shoes, and they allow way more float in the pedals so safer on aging knees. I have two pairs of shoes and wear the Giro's almost all the time and after 7 years the cleats on those shoes are just now starting to give me a hassle. I've gone through two sets of cleat screws in that same time frame. I replace them before the hex head wears to the point I can't get them out. The replacement screws were free from Giro.
--
--
Likes For drlogik:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,220
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18403 Post(s)
Liked 15,495 Times
in
7,317 Posts
I will say...again...I've never seen anyone wear out SPD-SL cleats that fast. I've used them myself for years and I can't remember the last time I had to replace a set because they were worn that much. You're walking too much OP, or dragging your feet constantly. It's the only answer.
Still wondering if OP bought fakes. I’m not a lite person and sometimes ride in areas where I have to put down my foot for lights and stop signs probably more frequently than many others and I don’t wear out mine nearly that quickly.
Last edited by indyfabz; 05-02-22 at 03:00 PM.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,410
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 850 Post(s)
Liked 344 Times
in
247 Posts
From your original thread: "The 50 metre return involves walking down three flights of stairs. Are they so fragile that that amount of walking is the problem?"
yes. Stairs absolutely demolish cleats. I always walk extremely slowly, sideways down stairs. Get cleat covers if you're walking on stairs regularly. That's why they exist, and they cost like $13
indyfabz I assume he just wore down the cleats to the point where the colored stuff is gone
yes. Stairs absolutely demolish cleats. I always walk extremely slowly, sideways down stairs. Get cleat covers if you're walking on stairs regularly. That's why they exist, and they cost like $13
indyfabz I assume he just wore down the cleats to the point where the colored stuff is gone
Likes For smashndash:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,397
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1104 Post(s)
Liked 1,824 Times
in
878 Posts
Get some other kind of pedal/cleat/shoe system and be done with it. Probably Shimano SPD (the metal kind). However little you think you're walking in those shoes, it's too much. Case closed, it's just that simple.
__________________
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I will say...again...I've never seen anyone wear out SPD-SL cleats that fast. I've used them myself for years and I can't remember the last time I had to replace a set because they were worn that much. You're walking too much OP, or dragging your feet constantly. It's the only answer.
Anyway, I took the following picture yesterday to show a distance I don’t walk in them…between where I stop outside my garage to where I keep the bike (shoes on floor on street, bike kept in the storage on left). That’s how few steps I try to take in them.
The only distance I walk in them is in the second picture, from the plastic door to the chair on the left. It’s about five steps. This is at work and I do it approx. 4 x per week.
Is all that “too much walking”?
Also the fact that I cut the vast majority of my walking out after the first time (the walk from bike shed to changing room, around 50m and three flights of stairs) and the rate of wear hasn’t substantially decreased suggests it isn’t because of walking in them, no?
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
From your original thread: "The 50 metre return involves walking down three flights of stairs. Are they so fragile that that amount of walking is the problem?"
yes. Stairs absolutely demolish cleats. I always walk extremely slowly, sideways down stairs. Get cleat covers if you're walking on stairs regularly. That's why they exist, and they cost like $13
indyfabz I assume he just wore down the cleats to the point where the colored stuff is gone
yes. Stairs absolutely demolish cleats. I always walk extremely slowly, sideways down stairs. Get cleat covers if you're walking on stairs regularly. That's why they exist, and they cost like $13
indyfabz I assume he just wore down the cleats to the point where the colored stuff is gone
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Queey: Does Shimano make an all-black set? I was under the impression that there are red, blue and yellow coloring, which represent differing degrees of float.
Still wondering if OP bought fakes. I’m not a lite person and sometimes ride in areas where I have to put down my foot for lights and stop signs probably more frequently than many others and I don’t wear out mine nearly that quickly.
Still wondering if OP bought fakes. I’m not a lite person and sometimes ride in areas where I have to put down my foot for lights and stop signs probably more frequently than many others and I don’t wear out mine nearly that quickly.
I’m also not light and have wondered about this stopping at lights, etc. Also, being new to cycling I can definitely say I’d panic a little when I first used clip-less and probably put my foot down aggressively. Thing against that is I almost always use my left foot to unclip and, whilst that one does fail first, they both appear to wear the same.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,220
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18403 Post(s)
Liked 15,495 Times
in
7,317 Posts
Crossed my mind also, but first set were bought in the official Giant Store and the next four all bought from a reputable online store. I’ll attach a pic.
I’m also not light and have wondered about this stopping at lights, etc. Also, being new to cycling I can definitely say I’d panic a little when I first used clip-less and probably put my foot down aggressively. Thing against that is I almost always use my left foot to unclip and, whilst that one does fail first, they both appear to wear the same.
I’m also not light and have wondered about this stopping at lights, etc. Also, being new to cycling I can definitely say I’d panic a little when I first used clip-less and probably put my foot down aggressively. Thing against that is I almost always use my left foot to unclip and, whilst that one does fail first, they both appear to wear the same.
#20
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,327
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3897 Post(s)
Liked 4,829 Times
in
2,228 Posts
I use cleat covers a lot but not all the time. My plastic Looks (aren't they all 'copies' now) wear out. Have to be replaced. Hassle.
So do my expensive tires & handlebar wrap. Hassle.
Old school clips and straps will wear your commuter street shoes prematurely (a bit) too.
edit: Life's a witch.
So do my expensive tires & handlebar wrap. Hassle.
Old school clips and straps will wear your commuter street shoes prematurely (a bit) too.
edit: Life's a witch.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 05-02-22 at 07:05 PM.
#21
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,107
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 852 Post(s)
Liked 1,433 Times
in
815 Posts
IMO, that is the answer. I get off the bike a lot more than I used to. One of the reasons I now use mostly spd.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
I don’t know what your problem is with not believing what people say (I had this issue with you on the thread I posted about the damaged handlebars, right?), but I think it probably reflects badly on you that you see liars everywhere.
Anyway, I took the following picture yesterday to show a distance I don’t walk in them…between where I stop outside my garage to where I keep the bike (shoes on floor on street, bike kept in the storage on left). That’s how few steps I try to take in them.
The only distance I walk in them is in the second picture, from the plastic door to the chair on the left. It’s about five steps. This is at work and I do it approx. 4 x per week.
Is all that “too much walking”?
Also the fact that I cut the vast majority of my walking out after the first time (the walk from bike shed to changing room, around 50m and three flights of stairs) and the rate of wear hasn’t substantially decreased suggests it isn’t because of walking in them, no?
Anyway, I took the following picture yesterday to show a distance I don’t walk in them…between where I stop outside my garage to where I keep the bike (shoes on floor on street, bike kept in the storage on left). That’s how few steps I try to take in them.
The only distance I walk in them is in the second picture, from the plastic door to the chair on the left. It’s about five steps. This is at work and I do it approx. 4 x per week.
Is all that “too much walking”?
Also the fact that I cut the vast majority of my walking out after the first time (the walk from bike shed to changing room, around 50m and three flights of stairs) and the rate of wear hasn’t substantially decreased suggests it isn’t because of walking in them, no?
Likes For cxwrench:
#23
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Because it doesn't take much to see what's happening in your case. There is ONLY one answer. If you're wearing the yellow pads off the cleats it's because you're walking too much/dragging your feet. What else would cause this? Little aliens that sneak into your house at night and chew on your cleats? At least at this point (after seeing a few of the last posts) you've come to terms w/ what everyone else is posting and know that you are the cause of the wear.
I wondered if others, particularly newbies, have had similar wear and considered whether clipping in and out as a beginner causes the wear. Or stepping down at lights, but then I’d expect the problem to predominantly affect my left cleat.
I walk exactly as much in them as I say, perhaps ten steps per day. I also reduced the amount I did walk in them, by more than 90%, and guess what? Pretty much the exact same wear. Can you explain that, Einstein?
But yeh, you clearly know the problem. I’m lying about how much I walk in them, for ***** and giggles, and come and post the pics on here after I’ve ran a marathon in them 🙄
#24
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,327
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3897 Post(s)
Liked 4,829 Times
in
2,228 Posts
The main problem I see in this thread is the price of ShatmaNo cleats.
Replacement plastic Look compatible cleats can be had for $5. China, but they work fine.
Replacement plastic Look compatible cleats can be had for $5. China, but they work fine.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 05-02-22 at 08:58 PM.