Bicycle Mechanics - Clipless Pedal Compatability

I've got Shimano m50s on a road bike. I'm about to go clipless on the singlespeed, but I want to make sure that I can swap shoes from bike to bike. Will Performance-brand SPD-compatible pedals take the same cleats as the Shimanos? I guess it's out of the question that I ever switch to Speedplay pedals, now that I'm about to extend even further into the Shimano family....

The dumb short question: Do SPD cleats that work with Shimano pedals work with Shimano knockoffs?

Haven't tried Performance brand pedals but based on my experience with other "knock-off" SPD "type" pedals I would bet that SPD cleats will not work well. Don't the Performance brand pedals come with Performance cleats? I would not plan on mixing brands, even thogh they look alike.

Al

Shimano and Wellgo mix just fine, but that's not much help to you I guess.

My Shimano SPD cleats didn't work with my Nashbar SPD pedals. The Nashbar SPD cleats, however, sorta worked with my Shimano SPD pedals. There are slight differences in the designs I wasn't aware of before my purchase.

What a hassle! So no-name cleats aren't a wise choice for Shimano pedals, huh?

If your Shimano pedals use the SH-51 cleat, then make sure you get an SPD "knock-off" pedal (they're almost all made by Wellgo) that uses the Wellgo 98A cleat, they're completely compatible with one another...........One of Nashbar's SPD-type replacement cleats for their Nashbar pedals has a Nashbar part number, but on the back it's stamped 98A. But you may have to ask their tech dept. to make sure of which pedals use the 98A, there are a lot of similar, but not quite similar enough to work well, "knock-offs" out there. I've had excellent luck with Wellgo MG-8's for road riding, check them out on Price Point's site (and they use the 98A cleat).

Here's a link: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12895-240_WELM83-3-Parts-399-Pedals/Road/Wellgo-MG-8-Road-Pedals.htm

The dumb short question: Do SPD cleats that work with Shimano pedals work with Shimano knockoffs?
The short answer: "sometimes"

The long answer:
* some knockoff pedals are SPECIFICALLY advertised as being compatible with Shimano SPD cleats (for example the Performance Campus pedals: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2275&subcategory_ID=5240)
* other knockoff pedals are not advertised as being compatible with Shimano SPD cleats, but it turns out they are (for example the Nashbar Rodeo pedals, from my personal experience)
* some knockoff pedals have cleats that look a lot like SPD cleats but aren't quite the same and won't work right with the SPD cleats

To be safe, stick with the knockoffs that are specifically advertised as SPD-compatible. Or ask around on BF to find out if another model works with SPD cleats.

As I've said, I can personally vouch for the fact that Nashbar Rodeo pedals work perfectly with SPD cleats, and Nashbar Rodeo cleats work perfectly with SPD pedals. The great thing about this is it means you can get replacement SPD cleats for only $8 :)

I have a set of Wellgo pedals, that readily accept the SPD cleat. Problem is, I can't get out! I also have Ritchey pedals, SPD cleat clips out real fast, problem is, getting in. I have a set of Nashbar pedals that are a little difficult to get into and a little difficult to get out of, but they work. I use them on a road bike. I have 3 sets of Shimano SPD pedals (2 sons, lots of bikes). I have no trouble getting in or out. On my mountain bikes, where I need to get in and out quickly, I only use Shimano pedals. My $.02.

I have a set of Wellgo pedals, that readily accept the SPD cleat. Problem is, I can't get out! I also have Ritchey pedals, SPD cleat clips out real fast, problem is, getting in. I have a set of Nashbar pedals that are a little difficult to get into and a little difficult to get out of, but they work. I use them on a road bike. I have 3 sets of Shimano SPD pedals (2 sons, lots of bikes). I have no trouble getting in or out. On my mountain bikes, where I need to get in and out quickly, I only use Shimano pedals. My $.02.

On the Wellgos and Ritcheys, it sounds like you're experiencing the "almost, but not quite" situation with the pedals and cleats. I've used Ritcheys (which are likely also made by Wellgo), I couldn't get in or out smoothly with Shimano SH-51's. But as I said in my above post, if you want the SPD "knock off" pedals to be compatible with Shimano cleats(with SH-51's, at least), and vice versa, make sure to get the ones that use the Wellgo 98A cleats, they're completely compatible-

The Performance knock-offs work with the Shimano SPD cleats and vice versa, but I must say I wasn't too happy with the excessive play in one of my Performance pedals. I returned them and got the Bianchi knock-off pedals. I would go Wellgo just because I've heard plenty of people say they're happy with them, and I believe they are Shimano compatible as well.

I would go Wellgo just because I've heard plenty of people say they're happy with them, and I believe they are Shimano compatible as well.

Some are compatible with Shimano, some aren't. If they're touted as "SPD-compatible" as Moxfyre says above, or more specifically if they're designed to use the Wellgo 98A cleat, they're Shimano compatible. But a lot of them aren't Shimano compatible, and Wellgo makes almost all the SPD "knock-offs" in addition to the actual Wellgo brand pedals-

edit: actually, after looking at the current crop of Wellgo pedals on their website, it does show that they all use the 98A cleat and therefore they're all Shimano compatible. I stand corrected on that, at least on the current models of Wellgo brand SPD's, according to their website-

On the Wellgos and Ritcheys, it sounds like you're experiencing the "almost, but not quite" situation with the pedals and cleats. I've used Ritcheys (which are likely also made by Wellgo), I couldn't get in or out smoothly with Shimano SH-51's. But as I said in my above post, if you want the SPD "knock off" pedals to be compatible with Shimano cleats(with SH-51's, at least), and vice versa, make sure to get the ones that use the Wellgo 98A cleats, they're completely compatible-
Thanks well biked, I appreciate that comment. I'm going to look into that cleat.