Anyone had any probs with Shimano cleats lately?

jordan_217

I've recently fitted a new set of Shimano cleats and I've now lost 3/4 of the yellow indicator wear tips, they've just separated from the main black plastic body. Dodgy batch maybe? I don't tend to clip out much on a ride and bar the odd club run coffee stop I don't tend to walk around in my cycling shoes. Been using the yellow ones for about 10 years and never had a problem before.

Unlucky, isolated case or has anyone else experienced this with new cleats?

curto80

Yeah know exactly what you mean. I didn't notice any difference in clipping in though so I didn't think any more of it.

chris_bass

same here, they still clip in fine but the yellow bits have all come off (i might have one left)

i put it down to an office move and having to walk slightly further from my bike to the changing rooms and vice versa, but maybe they have changed the design slightly?

vimfuego

I had something similar on my last set - both the yellow bits came off the back of one & one from the other. I put it down to being a dodgy batch and replaced them (I use cleat covers when wandering around off the bike - ie to get the coffeees in etc - so don't think they'd worn out or got damaged that way) - haven't had the same issue with the new ones. With that said, as mentioned above, it didn't seem to have affected clipping in and out too much anyway - I only noticed the yellow bits had fallen off when I happened to look at the cleats.

Old_Timer

Just put a new set on, only the normal wear of the yellow bits from any walking was noticed on the old ones, and the new as well. The sidewalks and driveways are concrete and the wear on the pads is accelerated somewhat by its abrasiveness, and that is where I am walking mostly, very little indoors as I don't frequent the coffee shops much.

Never tried any of the covers so no input there. Aren't these for when you are walking and not part of the shoe clipping to the pedal?

Bill

Tjgoodhew

The yellow bits on mine at the back have all come off - lost the last one on my last ride.

But its made no difference at all to clipping in and out.

Arent the yellow bits purely an atheistic to distinguish between different levels of float with the clip in element of the cleats the plastic ridge running between ? As long as that is still prominent I wont be buying a new set

jordan_217

They are mainly for walking on, so you have a level platform and I suspect they lift the main cleat body and bolts out of harms way from tarmac when putting your foot down or walking. Yes, the color coding does indicate float degree/fixed models.

There's also lines on them and they are classed as wear indicators.

I'm not saying that this has made the cleats unusable. There's no functional loss. I was just asking as I've had several pairs last me years without issue and have, within a month or so had 3/4 fall off. Very un-Shimano like!

rickeverett

This happened a lot with mine.

Ditched the Shimano system for Look Keo and its MILES better. The Look system is similar but the contact, click in/out and lifespan is much better.

Tjgoodhew

rickeverett wrote:

This happened a lot with mine.

Ditched the Shimano system for Look Keo and its MILES better. The Look system is similar but the contact, click in/out and lifespan is much better.

Im actually thinking of doing the same - purely for the fact i want some red pedals to match the colour scheme on my new bike.

Iv rode Looks once before and they seemed pretty much identical in terms of the mechanics ? Why do you think they are MILES better ?

rickeverett

Tjgoodhew wrote:

rickeverett wrote:

This happened a lot with mine.

Ditched the Shimano system for Look Keo and its MILES better. The Look system is similar but the contact, click in/out and lifespan is much better.

Im actually thinking of doing the same - purely for the fact i want some red pedals to match the colour scheme on my new bike.

Iv rode Looks once before and they seemed pretty much identical in terms of the mechanics ? Why do you think they are MILES better ?

Compared to Shimano SPDSL Pedals I had before:

Pedal Balance - the Look Keo pedals seem to have a better balance when they move to click in.
Bearing Action - My Shimano pedals (both sets) had a stiffer movement. They used to drop back slower when unclipped which was annoying and probably add a tiny tiny fraction more drag when pealing.
The clip action is more fluid on the Looks. They feel smoother and faster to clip into. The cleats have a rubbery plastic grip and the pedals have a hard plastic contact area. My Shimano pedals were slippy to get into.
My cleats have lasted longer than the SPDSL ones too.

The systems are very much the same yes, but I found the execution and longevity on the look system to be better.

foggymike

One of my yellow bits fell off the last lot I got - never happened before in what must be 20 sets. Luckily I found it by my front door and superglued it back and it's been fine. Sounds like a dodgy batch or some kind of materials change.

rolf_f

rickeverett wrote:

Pedal Balance - the Look Keo pedals seem to have a better balance when they move to click in.
Bearing Action - My Shimano pedals (both sets) had a stiffer movement. They used to drop back slower when unclipped which was annoying and probably add a tiny tiny fraction more drag when pealing.
The clip action is more fluid on the Looks. They feel smoother and faster to clip into. The cleats have a rubbery plastic grip and the pedals have a hard plastic contact area. My Shimano pedals were slippy to get into.
My cleats have lasted longer than the SPDSL ones too.

The systems are very much the same yes, but I found the execution and longevity on the look system to be better.

I'm surprised that you find Look cleats last longer than Shimano ones because the impression I got from here was that Look use much softer cheese for their cleats than Shimano.

But I do find myself that the Look clip in is easier - the lip at the front seems to find its place more easily (the front edge of the pedal is more pronounced than on the SLs). Anyone thinking of going Look right now should aim to get the old style Blades if they can as there are very good discounts about (certainly less than £80) - they are excellent and there is something very satisfying about how the clip in works and sounds with them!

dennisn

I've had the yellow portion wear off. NEVER had one just disappear. Are you guys going on hikes or what over there? :?

foggymike

I'd have said the same Dennis. The bit that came off mine was perfect, like it had never been attached to anything. I was just walking on a smooth paved surface to get my bike out and it fell off. I don't know how they attach them to the main cleat - no sign of any glue or mechanical join. Mine must have been held in place by wishful thinking.