Breaking Speedplay Cleats
 

I've been riding Speedplay X-Series pedals for awhile but I've started breaking cleats. In particular, the plastic part just under the metal plate. So far it's been right cleat only. Any ideas?

Sounds like the shoe is not supporting the cleat body well. If the shoe flexes, or there is a gap, that would cause the breaking. The cleats are meant to be supported by a stiff sole, hence the shims that come with the cleats.

Actually I had nothing but problems with my speedplay cleats. They came apart , broke and generally did not work well. I do not think that those pedals like clydesdales.

I weight in at 220 and have never had a problem with Speedplays. Speedplay warns that the cleats are sensitive to how they are installed and have a shoe compatability tool on their website. This will help you select which shims to use on your shoes, or if the cleats can even be installed on your shoes.

Don't they usually come with shims? All that I've looked at have a plastic (I think) shim used to make sure the cleat is not stressed by the shape of the shoe.

Yep. But you must pick the correct shims to match the curve of the shoe.

You also have to check that the connection remains snug. You don't want play and don't want too tight, only just nice.

I think I tracked the problem down. I do have the correct shims the problem is the cleat to shoe screws were backing out. There is a set of 4 screws that attaches the cleat "body" to the cleat "base" and those were and stay tight. The one of the three that hold the cleat base to the shoe had backed out and was rubbing on on the cleat body and eventually put enough pressure on it to break it. I superglued the cleat body back together after tightening the screws down and I'm back in business. Ordered a new set of cleats because I don't suspect the superglue will last forever :)

Thanks for the thoughts and help.

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