The cleat is the medium that connects the rider to the bike. The cleat gradually wears out over time until it can no longer be used normally, so riders need to replace it regularly, but when do you need to replace the cleat?

The lifespan of the cleats depends on many factors, including the brand used, the mileage used, the riding style of the rider, the conditions of use, how far you have traveled in the cleats, and more. All of these factors mean that it’s impossible to give an exact time to replace the cleats, so I’ve reviewed the relevant information for you and summed up a few points to decide when it’s time to replace the cleats.

As the cleats wear out, you will find that the floating gap between them and the pedals becomes larger. It is sometimes found that the cleats are difficult to disengage from the pedals, or conversely, the cleats can be accidentally disengaged from the pedals while riding. Both of these situations are very dangerous, especially when riding on the road, timely replacement of new cleats can prevent similar situations from happening.

Many cleats have worn marks to help you decide when to replace them, but don’t rely solely on these. If the wear marks are still intact but the lock doesn’t feel right – if it’s too easy, too difficult, not smooth to fasten/unlock, the connection to the pedal is not tight, then by all means replace the cleat with a new one at this point.

Shimano

Shimano: “How the cleats wear out depends on how the rider uses the shoe. The cleats should be replaced when the rider has difficulty getting the cleats off the pedals, or when it’s easier to unlock than when they were new. ”

“Before replacing the cleats, you can adjust the locking screw on the lock pedal with an Allen key, which will change the locking force of the lock pedal to the lock. If this does not solve the abnormal tightness problem, then the SPD-SL lock needs to be adjusted. film for visual inspection.”

Pictured from Shimano

“If you can see the black cleat body under the cleat on the front of the SPD-SL cleat, it’s time to replace the cleat.”

Pay attention to the two stress points on the front and back of the cleat after locking. If there are signs of thinning or breakage, it should be replaced in time to avoid accidental damage caused by sudden breakage and unlocking during riding.

Shimano also has a matching cleat protector that adds grip and protects the cleats while walking.

LOOK

The Look Kéo cleats feature wear markers that tell the rider when they need to be replaced. The Look Kéo Grip cleats feature a polyurethane anti-slip pad that increases the rider’s grip while walking. There are two wear marks on the front and rear of the cleat that appear with use. If one or more wear marks are visible, continued use of the cleats is dangerous and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

LOOK also has a matching cleat protection cover. If you walk a long distance in lock shoes, the protection cover is a good choice.

Lollipop (Speedplay)

Lollipop said: “Replace the cleats at least every 3,000-5,000 miles, and if the cleat parts are severely worn, they need to be replaced sooner. The spring structure inside also needs to be paid close attention, and if there is wear, it needs to be replaced. Use Dry Teflon lubricant to lubricate the inner spring and keep the cleats free of dust and debris by cleaning them regularly will greatly extend the life of the cleats.”

Lollipop cleats are more expensive than Shimano and Look, but tend to last much longer than their plastic cleats. This is thanks to its metal construction as well as the rubber boot on the cleat. Golf face design with aerodynamic effect provides extra grip and protects the cleats from wear while walking.