Cleats

JackHobbs4

Hello,

I am very new to road cycling and want to start looking at cleats. However I really cant understand how they work.
I know they clip your shoe In, but my few questions are: Do all cleats fit all pedals? Do all cleats fit all shoes? How would i know if my cleat would fit into my shoe and pedal? And do all pedals go onto all bikes?

Thanks alot

andrewjoseph

Do all cleats fit all pedals?
no

Do all cleats fit all shoes?
no

How would i know if my cleat would fit into my shoe and pedal?
bolt holes, there are two hole and 3 hole systems. some shoes are 2 (mostly mtb), some are 3 (mostly road), some can take both.

And do all pedals go onto all bikes?
not sure, i think most modern pedals will.

Schoie81

JackHobbs4 wrote:

Do all cleats fit all pedals?

As far as I know, new pedals will come with cleats included (mine certainly did) - so you don't need to worry about compatibility between pedal and cleat until you come to replace the cleats (unless you want to have a spare set).

JackHobbs4

Ok great, where would you recommend buying them from? As far as quality and price?

dpGoose

I got a pair of road shoes (without the grip underneath) that had both the 2 hole and 3 hole mounting points. I tried putting my spd (2 hole) cleats on for my hybrid bike and they were so difficult to get clipped in. The cleat were also very slippery when walking. Once replaced with road cleats they were fine so avoid spd cleats on road shoes.

cattytown

First thing is to decide what set of pedals will suit you best. I am quite duck-footed so like my speedplay zeros. Decisions can be based on function, style, price....

suzyb

dpGoose wrote:

I got a pair of road shoes (without the grip underneath) that had both the 2 hole and 3 hole mounting points. I tried putting my spd (2 hole) cleats on for my hybrid bike and they were so difficult to get clipped in. The cleat were also very slippery when walking. Once replaced with road cleats they were fine so avoid spd cleats on road shoes.

I have SPD cleats on my road shoes and don't find them that hard to get clipped in (usually).

I do agree with them being slippery when walking in. However I got a set of cleat covers that I put on when not on the bike. Makes it much easier to walk in the cleats and with them being rubber you don't click everywhere

Gizmodo

Traditionally SPD systems have been used for Mountain Bikes but they have several advantages that make them useful for road bikes as well. The cleat is all metal so there is little wear and it can sit in a recess in the shoe so you can walk in the shoes without looking silly. This makes it ideal if you want to walk about during your ride, shopping for example. SPD systems use 2 bolts to attach the cleat to the shoe.

Road shoes typically have a stiffer, flat sole with 3 bolt holes to attach a plastic cleat. SPD-SL, Look Keo and Time all have 3 holes in the same place so will fit to the same shoe but the pedal/cleat has to match - so the cleat comes supplied with the pedal. The disadvantage is plastic cleats mounted on the bottom of a flat sole means you will need to replace the cleats about twice a year and it can be difficult to walk. The advantage is a stiffer sole and a larger surface area to spread the load on your feet.

Another road system, Speedplay, uses 4 bolt holes and a metal cleat. They come with a converter plate so the cleats can be attached to a 3 bolt hole shoe. People say these are best if you have knee problems because they allow most "float" - so your feet can twist without disconnecting from the pedal.

smoggysteve

Gizmodo wrote:

Traditionally SPD systems have been used for Mountain Bikes but they have several advantages that make them useful for road bikes as well. The cleat is all metal so there is little wear and it can sit in a recess in the shoe so you can walk in the shoes without looking silly.

This little "recess" is only available if you buy MTB shoes. Not road shoes. They will still be difficult to walk on if you put them on road shoes. Bear in mind. If you ride a road bike, why the hell would you want big bulky MTB shoes that look like hiking shoes on most cases?

fatsmoker

SmoggySteve wrote:

Gizmodo wrote:

Traditionally SPD systems have been used for Mountain Bikes but they have several advantages that make them useful for road bikes as well. The cleat is all metal so there is little wear and it can sit in a recess in the shoe so you can walk in the shoes without looking silly.

This little "recess" is only available if you buy MTB shoes. Not road shoes. They will still be difficult to walk on if you put them on road shoes. Bear in mind. If you ride a road bike, why the hell would you want big bulky MTB shoes that look like hiking shoes on most cases?

There are a limited range of touring shoes that look quite roady but have recessed cleats.

andrewjoseph

SmoggySteve wrote:

.... Bear in mind. If you ride a road bike, why the hell would you want big bulky MTB shoes that look like hiking shoes on most cases?

have you seen race mtb shoes? some sidi, northwave etc. look sleek. at worst they can look a bit like a football boot.

even my cheap shimano or specialised shoes look nothing like a hiking shoe.

blackpoolkev

I use SPD (recessed cleats) on my road bike.

Shoes £63 -http://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized-2012-bg-sport-touring-shoe
Pedals £46 - http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/pedals-pedals-road-shimano-clipless-spd-a600-pedals/shimpeda735000000000

smoggysteve

andrewjoseph wrote:

SmoggySteve wrote:

.... Bear in mind. If you ride a road bike, why the hell would you want big bulky MTB shoes that look like hiking shoes on most cases?

have you seen race mtb shoes? some sidi, northwave etc. look sleek. at worst they can look a bit like a football boot.

even my cheap shimano or specialised shoes look nothing like a hiking shoe.

I refer to the use of the word MOST. Not all. The ones made by Sidi and Northwave do look good, but they cost a bit more than average.