JBerman

Need a new pair of cleats for my 105 pedals. Should I get the yellow (what I currently have) or blue? (Yellow = SM-SH11 / Blue = SM-SH12).

I know blue has less float, but as a noob I have no idea what that means

Dudelsack 

Get yellow. Float is good.

dvdslw

Float is the amount of rotation you cleat has once clipped in. I am somewhat of a newbie when it comes to shoes/cleats but its my understanding that more float lets your foot rotate in the pedal reducing the amount of pressure on your joints especially the knee. Too much float may make it harder to unclip or make you feel like your skating on your pedals but too little will make you ache during or after rides. I am currently using the yellow Shimano cleats but plan to try the blue just to see how I respond to them.

redtires

Yellow is 6 degrees float and blue is 2 degrees. I would also recommend yellow. Better for your knees, hips, ankles, etc... IMHO 6 degrees is not at all excessive.

SpeshulEd 

I have both yellow and blue cleats on two separate sets of shoes. I can't tell much difference between the two, but I'd say the blue are "stiffer" as they have less movement, but still enough to be comfortable.

That said, I bought another set of yellow cleats when chainlove had them for half off as I tend to prefer the extra movement they provide.

achoo

Yellow is definitely easier to find.

JBerman

Thanks for the replies!! I'll stick with the yellow then (plus LBS has them in stock!).

Smokehouse

Smart Man...the advice from the others here is solid. Float is good, and allows for more fit "error" concerning your shoes. I ride the yellow cleats and they're great.

StanSeven

Float isn't all it's supposed to me. Too much movement can cause problems too and most people really don't need it. It probably doesn't hurt but most of the really experienced fitters (not the ones that do it for free on the $700 bike purchased) will say stay away from it unless you foot naturally needs the movement.

hueyhoolihan

knee jerk response about float is "it's good". i just bought some zero float cleats for my pedals. couldn't be happier. so there.

chil2makefun

+1
I didn't like the amount of float my grey cleats for look keo pedals allowed and found no float to be a bit rash. So when it was time to buy new pedals I went with speedplay zeros. That way I can have very little float and and have them set just a bit off centre.

kidag

Having just switched from yellow to blue, I wish I'd done so much earlier. In comparison, the blue cleats give the feeling of having a brace that restricts your leg from unnecessary (and power-grabbing, since you have to keep the leg taut to project the power down the pedal) lateral movement. I immediately felt a discernable difference, which is more pronounced with greater loads. All in all, a very cheap upgrade which makes a great difference.I won't go back.

f4rrest

This is what I've found as well.

One of my knees is happier if it doesn't have to work as hard to keep my foot from floating around.

Red zero float on left. Yellow on right.