Commuting - Do you rotate cleats?

I noticed on my commuting shoes, my left cleat wears about 10x faster than my right cleat since the left one is unclipped everytime I stop and the right one is only unclipped twice a day.
Does anyone else have a preferred foot to stop with and do you swap the worn out cleat with the newer one to get 2x the use out of them?

I used to rotate my old SPD cleats but with the pedals I use now, I can't do that. If I swap the cleats on my MTB shoes, I change the release angles. On my road shoes, the cleats are location specific.

Same, I also do not swap cleats. I have Eggbeaters, so if I "rotated" my cleats from one foot to the other, I'd be changing my release angles. I've noticed that my right cleat wears faster than my left (I guess I lean right more often).

... since the left one is unclipped everytime I stop and the right one is only unclipped twice a day.
We must be related. ;) You are one of the few people I've encountered who also unclips the left foot and puts it down when stopping.



Same, I also do not swap cleats. I have Eggbeaters, so if I "rotated" my cleats from one foot to the other, I'd be changing my release angles.
Me too. The difference in the release angle is quite noticeable. When the cleats get worn down too far I guess I'll head for the LBS for some new ones. :o

Apparently I am ambipedextrous, because I seem to unclip on each side with equal frequency depending on the situation and road conditions.

Always unclipping with the same foot can have scary consequences, as I found out when I got my right shoelaces caught in the pedal and couldn't quite work out how to unclip the left foot in time to stop. I made it, but it was difficult. I recommend practicing with both feet to avoid embarassment.

Same, I also do not swap cleats. I have Eggbeaters, so if I "rotated" my cleats from one foot to the other, I'd be changing my release angles. I've noticed that my right cleat wears faster than my left (I guess I lean right more often).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/ozstubacca/Smileys/iamwithstupid.gif

I almost always unclip my right foot when stopping, but am perfectly comfortable using the left when it's easier/required.

ambipedextrous
nice word! :D

I voted no. I use eggbeaters as well, but also walk around in my shoes (or shimano sandals) as well. My bike shoes are now my only shoes.

I'd give my right leg to be ambipedextrous !!

I noticed on my commuting shoes, my left cleat wears about 10x faster than my right cleat since the left one is unclipped everytime I stop and the right one is only unclipped twice a day.
Does anyone else have a preferred foot to stop with and do you swap the worn out cleat with the newer one to get 2x the use out of them?
Crazy idea: why dont u just unclip the other foot for stops?

I voted no. I use eggbeaters as well, but also walk around in my shoes (or shimano sandals) as well. My bike shoes are now my only shoes.
Do eggbeaters work with Shimano Sandals, that is is the cleat recessed?
Al

Crazy idea: why dont u just unclip the other foot for stops?

Unfortunately I'm not ambipedextrous and just prefer clipping out with 1 foot. I start off better with the other. And believe me, when you're in traffic and everyone's rev'ing to take off at the light, you better start off with your chocolate foot.

Unfortunately I'm not ambipedextrous and just prefer clipping out with 1 foot. I start off better with the other. And believe me, when you're in traffic and everyone's rev'ing to take off at the light, you better start off with your chocolate foot.
I also always unclip with left foot only. Uneven cleat wear is a big problem, my left cleat wears out way too quickly. I can unclip with right foot if I need, but just don't like to.

Al

Do eggbeaters work with Shimano Sandals, that is is the cleat recessed?
Al

Yes. Crank Brother cleats come in three different types but all three mount up using SPD mounting patterns so they will work with shoes drilled for SPD. The basic Eggbeater cleats are small metal affairs which look similar to but are not compatible with SPD cleats. The Eggbeater Road cleats are like the SPD-R cleats in that they have extensions to the sides with pontoons to aide in stability while walking. The Quattro Road cleats have a formed body mounted to the basic Eggbeater cleat design. This formed body is meant to mate up with the body of the Quattro pedal. The basic Eggbeater and Eggbeater Road cleats will fit the Eggbeater and Candy pedals but I think the Quattro requires the Quattro cleat. I also don't think the Quattro cleat will work on the standard Eggbeater or Candy pedals.

Eggbeater cleat
http://images.rei.com/media/684959Lrg.jpg

Eggbeater Road cleat
http://images.rei.com/media/697569Lrg.jpg

Quattro cleat
http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/717511_9996Lrg.jpg

Yes.
Thank you khuon. Much clearer than the Crank Bros web page ;). I couldn't figure this out browing their pages with all those fancy graphics and animations.

I think I'll consider the standard egg beater with standard cleat, I am finding I am poping out of my SPD pedals far too easily.

Al

Riding a fixie has forced me to be ambidextrous. I don't even think about it anymore, other than to make sure I stop with one or the other foot in the 2- or 3-o'clock position. So, no uneven wear issues here.

What a great idea! It's like...duh!

I'm having problems with my right shoe unclipping when I hop, and you provided a solution!

Thanks slvoid, next time I'm in NYC I'll buy you an egg cream.

I knew there was a reason I visit this forum every day...

What a great idea! It's like...duh!

I'm having problems with my right shoe unclipping when I hop, and you provided a solution!

Unfortunately it is not really a solution, only a way to extend the life of cleats. I find that after 300mi of only unclipping left foot at stops that the cleat is worn enough that it starts to unclip when I don't want it to, by 400miles it barely holds on. So if I start using right foot half the time, I can assume I can get 600mi for a pair of cleats, better for sure, but not a solution.

Al

Apparently I am ambipedextrous, because I seem to unclip on each side with equal frequency depending on the situation and road conditions.Exactly, same here. And I've been advising people to do this for years when starting out learning to use clipless. Less chance of toppling over if you instinctively click out of the 'correct' foot.
No need to rotate cleats, they wear evenly....

Exactly, same here. And I've been advising people to do this for years when starting out learning to use clipless. Less chance of toppling over if you instinctively click out of the 'correct' foot.
No need to rotate cleats, they wear evenly....
Even though I can unclip with both feet, I much prefer my left side as I like to lean into the lane when waiting as I am usually 1/3 of the way into it and it helps block drivers from going around me, or if I am positioned to the far left of a lane, it lets/encourages cars pass me on my right to make a turn. I have never once tipped from clipless.
Al

Unfortunately I'm not ambipedextrous and just prefer clipping out with 1 foot. I start off better with the other. And believe me, when you're in traffic and everyone's rev'ing to take off at the light, you better start off with your chocolate foot.
i must be ampfibextrous cause i got no problem with any foot. :)

I think I'll consider the standard egg beater with standard cleat, I am finding I am poping out of my SPD pedals far too easily.

You may also want to investigate the Time ATACs. That's what I run on my MTB. I have the 1st generation ATACs and they're great but the new ATACs are even nicer. Their cleats also bolt up to SPD-style mounting patterns.

i must be ampfibextrous cause i got no problem with any foot. :)

This is starting to sound like a game of telephone.

BTW I am also amphibitrous.

This is starting to sound like a game of telephone.

BTW I am also amphibitrous.
How does being amphibious help u with biking?

How does being amphibious help u with biking?

Yeah... as if a fish needed a bicycle. :p

Swap cleats? I honestly never thought of that before. Once when I noticed more wear on one cleat, I started using the other foot when clipping out. That felt pretty awkward, so I reverted back.

I think pushing off with your foot when the light turns green may cause more wear than just putting your foot down. I used to push off, but I don't any more.

How does being amphibious help u with biking?

Same way being ambslexicious helps me with speeling ^_^

Thanks slvoid, next time I'm in NYC I'll buy you an egg cream.


Egg cream? Uh.. I'll take the thanks and skip on the egg cream. :)

I see there are only 2 nerds who've ever switched cleats heh.
Honestly, I can unclip the right foot just fine in panic situations. I just start up better with the right so I unclip the left all the time.

Same way being ambslexicious helps me with speeling ^_^
that's it. cant think of anything...

I see there are only 2 nerds who've ever switched cleats heh...

If it's any consolation, I DO rotate my shorts every day :D

If it's any consolation, I DO rotate my shorts every day :D

in a washing machine ?