Bicycle Mechanics - Extending "Plastic Cleats Lifetime"

I am the kind of guy that refuses to buy ink replacement cartridges instead of refilling my own. The printer sales are not selling printers but ink futures. I found myself in the same position with "Plastic" replacement cleats in the "Look" form.

The current prices are $19.95 for cleats that do not last very long. So I tried building up the old worn cleats with plastic epoxy from Walmart or other sources.

Guess what, it works. Just mix up a batch and spread on the front and rear worn surfaces. Maybe we can drive down these ridiculous replacement prices.

I think I have a pair of aluminium ones around here I would sell you. they may never wear out

Care to post pics or instructions? I resole my dress shoes, why not my bike cleats?

A friend once pointed out to me that you can make Shimano SPD-SL cleats last twice as long by switching the cleats between shoes when they are worn. This is possible b/cos you only wear out one side of each cleat when you cleat-out. You can then switch the right cleat to the left (and vice versa) to enjoy double cleat life.

I am hoping you can do the same with Look cleats. I am a Shimano cleats guy.

Don't walk in your cleats. My Looks last years.

+1

A friend once pointed out to me that you can make Shimano SPD-SL cleats last twice as long by switching the cleats between shoes when they are worn. This is possible b/cos you only wear out one side of each cleat when you cleat-out. You can then switch the right cleat to the left (and vice versa) to enjoy double cleat life.

I am hoping you can do the same with Look cleats. I am a Shimano cleats guy.

I am needing a new pair of Look cleats very soon so I think I will give this a try.

Why is it the most simplest ideas are the hardest to come up with.

Thanks Jed

Don't walk in your cleats. My Looks last years.

+1 this.

I've had these shoes with plastic (slotted) cleats for over 30 years:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/rivat.jpg

And, yes -- they are the shoes I use for the vast majority of my riding.

Put the cleat covers (rubber-like) in your pocket on every ride ,
and use them to cover the cleat, each time.

or be prepared to take off your shoes, when getting off the bike.

LOOK cleats are pretty cheap here: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/product/t/look%20cleats

I ordered my replacement Quartz cleats from Ribble (along with some other parts of course) after seeing them selling for almost $30 everywhere in the US. The three hole plastic cleats are even cheaper, cheap enough that even I wouldn't find it worth the effort to try and repair them (not that $20 is all that expensive to begin with).

I dont see how you guys get years out of look cleats. 9 months tops for me. I can accept that you dont wear your shoes, but Im not taking off the shoes when its time to take a bio break in a portapottie or service station rest room. Just not practical to never wear shoes off the bike. (But then again, I limited my new shoes to SIDI or Northwave since they are the only 2 brands with replaceable heel rubber....)