What is a universal SPD cleat?
05-05-06, 10:36 AM
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What is a universal SPD cleat?
I'm making the jump to clipless pedals this weekend and I've heard the term "universal cleat".
Which cleats can you use with which pedals, (i.e. - will a Shimano SPD cleat fit into a Ritchey and/or Bontrager clipless pedal)?
The used Specialized shoes I got have Shimano cleats on them, so I can get a used pair of pedals without the cleats, as long as they will work.
Also, I am going to put the first set of pedals on my commuter, but will eventually have them on all four bikes. Being on a limited budget, I'll be hunting for bargains so I will likely end up with an assortment of brands/designs amongst my stable. I just don't want to have to change out the cleats each time I ride a different bike.
Which cleats can you use with which pedals, (i.e. - will a Shimano SPD cleat fit into a Ritchey and/or Bontrager clipless pedal)?
The used Specialized shoes I got have Shimano cleats on them, so I can get a used pair of pedals without the cleats, as long as they will work.
Also, I am going to put the first set of pedals on my commuter, but will eventually have them on all four bikes. Being on a limited budget, I'll be hunting for bargains so I will likely end up with an assortment of brands/designs amongst my stable. I just don't want to have to change out the cleats each time I ride a different bike.
05-05-06, 10:39 AM
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Cleats generally come with the pedals. I have never heard of any that are "universal". It may mean that SPD cleats will fit on almost any cycling shoe rather than in almost any pedal.
05-05-06, 10:40 AM
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There are "SPD" compatible cleats/pedals made by lots of manufacturers. I think(?) SPD is the most common design that you'll find made by different people. Any SPD cleat will work with any SPD pedal. However different TYPES of cleats are usually not interchangeable (I.E. SPD vs. LOOK).
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05-05-06, 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Eggplant Jeff
Any SPD cleat will work with any SPD pedal.
05-05-06, 09:10 PM
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it really depends. i have some wellgo pedals with spd-sl cleats, but i think a wellgo designed cleat (or perhaps a nice shimano upgrade on the pedals...) might make things better. but so far it works out fine.
05-05-06, 09:56 PM
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I have pedals from Ritchey, Shimano, and Nashbar on three bikes and three pairs of shoes.
The cleats that came with the Shimano pedals won't go into the Nashbar pedals, and the ones that came with the Nashbar pedals go into the Shimano pedals with difficulty. The ones that came with the Ritchey pedals go into all three, and I can use all three shoes in the Ritchey pedals.
So I would vote Ritchey as the closest to universal.
The cleats that came with the Shimano pedals won't go into the Nashbar pedals, and the ones that came with the Nashbar pedals go into the Shimano pedals with difficulty. The ones that came with the Ritchey pedals go into all three, and I can use all three shoes in the Ritchey pedals.
So I would vote Ritchey as the closest to universal.
05-06-06, 11:47 PM
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Thanks, everyone for the input.
I scored a pair of Shimano 505s for a song. They show hardly any wear and of course, my Shimano SM-SH51 cleats work great. I went out and put a few miles on them tonight. The learning curve is almost nil and my feet have never been more comfy, while riding. Anyone considering making the change over to clipless should go for it.
I think I'll be patient in hunting down sets for my other bikes and stick with Shimano 500 series, across them all.
Thanks again, kids.
I scored a pair of Shimano 505s for a song. They show hardly any wear and of course, my Shimano SM-SH51 cleats work great. I went out and put a few miles on them tonight. The learning curve is almost nil and my feet have never been more comfy, while riding. Anyone considering making the change over to clipless should go for it.
I think I'll be patient in hunting down sets for my other bikes and stick with Shimano 500 series, across them all.
Thanks again, kids.
