Road Shoes and Cleats

[lemondash]

Afternoon all,

Hope all is well.

Have been using clip less shoes and pedals now for about 3 months. This may seem like a silly question, when or how often should you change your cleats at the bottom of my shoes?

Have attached a picture (sorry if it’s not that great), one of them is slightly chipped at the top and the rubber from the front has completely gone and have worn away the front part of the cleat so that its nearly flush with screw/bolt, but this is the main shoes i clip in and out with. The other shoe is but as in the same condition.

I got these with the shoes(Shimano r086) I bought, so if and when i have to replace my cleats what ones should I get ? What does the 9 degree float and fixed - no float mean? Do they normally come with new screw/bolts?

Sorry if this seems like a draft question and I could ring up a bike shop and ask them but thought it was too draft of a question.

Regards Lee

 

[adscrim]

They look like Look Keo cleats - are those the pedals you have?

The grey is 4.5 degrees of float, that being the amount of movement you have when clipped in. Greater the float, greater the movement.

I would expect cleats to come with new screws and washer plates, they have the times I've bought keo cleats.

 

[lemondash]

Thanks for replying.

My pedals are Keo Classic, paid around £50 for them. Ok so if i'm happy with them i should just get the same again ? I have seen 7 and 9 degress, would it do any harm if i got them ?

Regards Lee

 

[adscrim]

If you're happy with them I'd just replace them. I can't see how changing the grey cleats to either red or black would do any harm - unless you decide you don't like them and have to buy another set of grey anyway. It all comes down to personal preference. Soem people like movement, some like being clamped in - I think the grey is a nice middle ground.

 

[lemondash]

Perfect Job done. Going to get the same again then. One last thing i watch the guy in the shop put them on for me last time, so it should be quite easy. But any advice would be great ?

 

[Globalti]

They look very straight on the soles. Most people would want them set with the heels in towards the cranks a little. Try sitting on a table and letting your lower legs dangle loose - what do your feet do? Their position should be similar on the bike if you are to avoid long-term knee problems.

 

[lemondash]

They were set to straight because that’s how the bloke in the shop suggested having them on.

Never had that advice before, but just sat on my desk at work and let them dangle and my toes are point little bit out and the heel in. Little to how you have mention up above.

 

[youngoldbloke]

If you want the new ones in the same place, draw round the existing ones with a fine permanent marker or similar before you take them off, then you can easily position the new ones - sorry if this is too obvious. Keo cleats also have a little plastic piece (goes under the little rubbery plug in the cleat) that screws to the sole to allow repositioning. Most shoes do not have a 4th hole to allow this, so I use a very short self tapping screw to fix them. Once these are in position it makes fitting new cleats really easy - have a good read of the instruction leaflet. (I doubt that these were fitted by the bike shop).

 

[jig-sore]

if your a wearing them out that quick i would suggest you get some cleat covers for walking in....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20643

 

[accountantpete]

Just a thought Lemondash - pop the new ones where the old ones were and take them for a spin. Try and concentrate on where the axle of the pedal is meeting the foot and get that feeling in your head. Then move the cleats back on the sole towards the heel as far as they will go and take them for another spin and compare the feeling.

Some people find that they can put down more power with the cleats moved back and it's worth the effort to experiment.

 

[lemondash]

I cycle at least 3-4 times a week, just cycle to work and back, which is 12.5 miles one way. I pretty much clip out all the time, just for safely as i've only been using them for about 3 months. So that wear and tear is just from that. Hardly do any walking in them. Unless i'm doing something completely wrong.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[wafflycat]

Cleat covers are your answer. When I'm wearing my Look road shoes, I keep cleat covers in my pocket. If I have to walk, I pop on the cleat covers. No hassle, really does extend the life of cleats.