Bicycle Mechanics - clipless pedal wear & tear

I have been riding on my new Shimano PD-M324 clipless pedals for a few days now, and I am still getting the hang of them. This is my first set of clipless pedals, and they are for recreational use. I'm also using Shimano SH-MO38 cycling shoes, once again, for recreational use. I also do a bit of commuting on my bike, and these pedals can be used with non-cleated shoes, too. So, they are a bit bulky and I've had some clumsy moments with them. :o

Anyway, now for the mechanical question. How much "wear and tear" can these things take? I've already scratched both the cleats and the pedal receiver bindings quite a bit. I know the cleats eventually need to be replaced from wear, but how much can I comfortably bang and twist them without worrying about breakage? Basically, how tough are these devices?

I feel comfortable that I have installed the cleats properly. The cleats "clip on" to the pedals relatively well (when I can get them to clip!) and clip off easily. The cleats that came with my shoes are SM-SH55 multi-directional release cleats. I don't know how much "float" they have, but I can tell they allow some just from riding with them. The soles on my cycling shoes are deep enough that my cleats only "click-clack" when I walk on rough/hard surfaces. Also, I had to loosen the tension on the bindings a little after I first tried them out. They were almost impossible to clip on, initially. I know these things take getting used to. Fortunately, the pedals have a regular pedal surfaces on the opposite sides. That way, I can still play with the clips while I pedal. Its just hard for me to line the cleats and the bindings up sometimes, because I'm not used to them. So, I do a lot of banging and twisting to find the right spot to "step into" the binding. I just hope this doesn't ruin the pedals.


Thanks,

-Matt C.-

I just started using look pedals and cleats and am wondering the same thing. I was really surprised to see the cleats were plastic.

Gosh, I never worried about damaging either the pedals or the cleats. I've been using the same set of Shimano cleats/shoes in two different sets of Shimano pedals without failure for over 2 years. The cleats are used everyday, they probably have around 10,000 miles on them and they've tromped around on rocks and junk when I'm out moutain biking. I do lube the contact surfaces periodically with a wax lubricant just to keep them from creaking but otherwise I just ride. No worries!

Shimano SPD, and knockoffs, pedals and cleats can take a beating.

My experience is that SPD pedals & cleats are long lasting & will look bad while still operating flawlessly.

Scratches and wear on the bottom of the cleat is of no concern as the bottom is not one of the mating surfaces. The pedals are tough and will take wuite a lot of use. Don't worry about it.

Clipping in reliably takes some practice. After a while you'll learn the feel when your cleat is lined up with the receiver. Just keep at it and before you know it, you'll be clipping in without thinking.

I have had the same cleats in the same shoes for over 4 years.

Look cleats are pretty tough too. I got several years out of a set. One thing that helps alot is a product called Kool Covers. They're rubber boots that slip over the cleat and protect them as well as give you some tracyion when you have to walk in your shoes. If there's a similar product for Shimano cleats I'd recommend it, though from what I understand alot of SPD shoes are designed for walking.

The actual cleat will last for 10K miles or more (based on my experience). The peddle on the other hand will eventually fatigue and snap. This happened a few weeks back when the front of the peddle actually snapped off when clipping in. It was a WellGo peddle so the cost was very little. I've since replaced with Shimano's.

Thanks for the feedback everybody! I feel much better about banging up my cleats and clipless pedals now.


-Matt C.-

I just had the bearing blow out on a pedal last night after I posted, but the pedal's clipping action still works flawlessly.

I just got the same shoes and the Shimano PD-M520 pedals (double sided, not platform).

The cleats don't click on the ground, even when walking on tile floor. I can bang my foot in certain ways to get a click, but not when walking. I imagine when the rubber of the soles wear a bit I may get a click.

The wear will come from clipping in, not from walking -at least with these shoes. Eventually you may need to replace the cleat. I think you will know when since you will notice the gradual decline in either clip in ease, or it become too easy even if at high force setting. I imagine this will be after a very long use, not months. But I really don't know as I have no experience. This is more from what I have read on line and what the pedal manual says.

There has been some initial wear the first week of use - I can see metal particles and its a tiny bit lower force to clip/unclip than it was right of box, but I think this initial wear has stabilized - kind of more of a de-burring of the factory sharp edges.

Al