When should you replace cleats
cskasofia
Posts: 34
Got my first pair of clipless shoes round about April.
As I take the left foot out/in of the pedal at junctions, I've noticed a bit of wear on the left shoes cleat. (the right shoe cleat isn't really affected)
When should the cleats be replaced, and also do you only change the cleat that is showing signs of wear, or do you generally change them in pairs?
As I take the left foot out/in of the pedal at junctions, I've noticed a bit of wear on the left shoes cleat. (the right shoe cleat isn't really affected)
When should the cleats be replaced, and also do you only change the cleat that is showing signs of wear, or do you generally change them in pairs?
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Comments
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I'd replace both if any significant signs of wear.
See this thread:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread19782-20.html
"Managed to break my face due to worn cleats, clipped out trying to Sprint away from a bus lost control, turned the handlebars and went head over heals, broke the fall with my face, had 30 odd stitches, a mighty swelling and a head ache."0 -
Ummm, wtf is there a link to a fixie forum with a dudes smashed up face?
I prefer to replace both cleats at the same time, as they are so cheap it's just nice having both fresh. I have had my pedals for quite some time, and not changed the cleat (roughly a year) and they seem to be working perfectly fine, but they are SPDs not typical road cleats.0 -
What sort of pedal/cleats have you got?0
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Are you doing a lot of walking on hard surfaces? I've had the same ones for a good while now and still clipping in and out solidly0
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shouldbeinbed wrote:Are you doing a lot of walking on hard surfaces? I've had the same ones for a good while now and still clipping in and out solidly
Wouldn't say I was walking all that much.
Only going to the shed to get the bike, then taking the bike to the road, say all in 40 yards(return journey 80) Doing this about 2-3 times a week since April, would this be too much.?0 -
They are designed so that when the yellow or red detail starts to wear off you know to replace them.
Regularly check the thickness of the cleats at the back and front where they engage with the pedal, the thinner back part tends to wear first from clipping in and out. Compare them with new spare cleats and replace if getting thin/worn.
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Wot he said. If the front or backs where they clip in get thin enough they can snap off. If you walk on hard/abrasive surfaces you will eventually have to replace them.0 -
Erudin wrote:They are designed so that when the yellow or red detail starts to wear off you know to replace them.
Regularly check the thickness of the cleats at the back and front where they engage with the pedal, the thinner back part tends to wear first from clipping in and out. Compare them with new spare cleats and replace if getting thin/worn.
The wear is nowhere as bad as that pic, though the yellow bit is fraying a bit. Think I'll only change the one thats showing the wear, and try and limit my walking on them.
Cheers!0 -
There's a link to 20+ pages of stories about accidents that have happened because of cleat failures, including the guy with the broken face.
Shimano cleats are not foot specifi, so you can replace the one that wears quickly without replacing the other. Watch out for Time cleats. Some are asymmetric.
I tend to replace mine when the rubber has gone to the point that I can't walk safely on them.0 -
I've had mine since mid-January and am just about to change them. I had a low speed topple - similar to the ones I had when I was getting used to cleats - which has prompted me to order new ones. They are nowhere nearly as worn as the ones in the picture, but I was going very slowly on a slight uphill - waiting for someone else. I let myself slow to a halt- tried to unclip - my foot stuck and I toppled off. Apart from some gravel rash both above and below my knee the only thing hurt was my pride. It has however answered the question about whether I need to change them yet!
Janes0
