How often do you replace SPD-SL Cleats??

Sammyw23

Done almost 2000 miles on my SPD-SL cleats and whilst the yellow ends are fairly worn down the rear lip that "clicks" into the pedal seems fairly unworn when compared to the new set I have waiting to go on.

Any general feedback on when you normally replace yours much appreciated? Thanks

mostly harmless

My, not desperately scientific, rule of thumb is when they snap. Or rather about three weeks after they snap having ridden to work for three weeks thinking that I should really do something about this. It can be up to six weeks if the bolts have seized as drilling them out is a right pain in the balls.

A rough estimation of mileage would be at least 12k and possibly as much as 15k with a bit of walking at either end, roughly three years of commuting and winter riding.

k-dog

There's a picture that you get with them that shows the level and it seems about right - I just changed mine when the yellow part wore to about level with the black - they got a bit tricky to get in - once in there were okay but I really bashed my shin once when I couldn't get the front of the cleat in.

The new ones felt great so they were probably a bit past it.

I usually change mine about every 9 months - and that's with commuting 5 days a week.

Herbsman

every 6 months or so

John.T

I only replace mine when I have walked the yellow bit right down. They still clip in and out just as well even then.

P_Tucker

Every 6/9 months? Are you people mental? I've had a pair on my race shoes for 8 years. Wearing off the yellow bit just saves weight.

fludey

Just replaced mine this weekend after about 1.5k on them, don't think walking over a stone drive helps!

There are wear marks on the back but not sure if I had gone past these or were just so scuffed I couldn't see them.

Could have got a lot more out of my right foot as this one gets clipped in at the start of a ride and doesn't get unclipped till the end

Not sure how your meant to swap them over to get same position, ended up painting round my old ones in tipex!!!!

Lucky Luke

fludey wrote:

Could have got a lot more out of my right foot as this one gets clipped in at the start of a ride and doesn't get unclipped till the end

Suggest swapping the left and right over after a while to even out the wear . I find the cleats last for ages it doesn't matter how worn they look , it's whether they clip in and out correctly that's important . I get years out of them as opposed to months.

k-dog

fludey wrote:

Not sure how your meant to swap them over to get same position, ended up painting round my old ones in tipex!!!!

I do that too - by far the easiest way I've ever done it - you can get it really accurate. Makes a mess of the tippex though - even with pretty clean shoes.

I saw cafe covers for £6.99 from Exus (I think) in a shop the other day - I'm thinking about trying those as I walk a bit in mine and it wears them - as well as being slippery.

k-dog

As an update I've now worn my cleats further than ever before. I've had to walk a bit recently and the right one now has no yellow towards the back. They're hard to get in now and a few times I've thought they were in then pulled my foot out.

I think I should wait until they get a bit worn and them swap them round - seems like I would get a few months more out of them.