Originally Posted by
volosong
Are you sure about this, Bill? Is it something new? I've been using SPD-SL pedals and cleats the past several years and as far as I know, when you purchase a set of pedals, they come with the 6° float yellow cleats. Since I came from "rat trap" pedals, I feel insecure with float and purchased the zero-float cleats, which are red in color, (The nibs that is. All of them have a black base). I have about six pairs of yellow cleats that I should probably put on eBay because I'll never use them. I've never heard of, or have ever seen 4° grey cleats.
Rich, the attachment of a cleat to a shoe is pretty much infinitely adjustable. This is where a shop can really help you. A good starting point is to position the cleat so that the ball of your foot is over the base of the pedal and your foot is parallel to the crank and longitudinal axis of the bike. Then, adjust as your physiology dictates. You'll need to get new shoes also.
The 4° float are new, I was trying to type that and answer the phone, teach me to try to walk and chew bubble gum at the same time, the colors I gave a partially incorrect, thanks for the catch, the new intermediate floats have been out for a few months now. The 0° float are red and the 6° are yellow (as you said, they come with the pedals,) the new 4° cleats I think are grey but, I may be wrong. All the bodies are black as you said. A few shops and online sellers have then, my LBS has them on the wall. SM-SMH-11 is the standard yellow 6° float cleats, SM-SH-10 and SM-SH-12 are the two optional cleat product numbers.
Rich, the Shimano cleats are adjustable where they are mounted to the shoe, SPD are 2 screws and SPD-SL are 3 screws. The SPD-SL are usually road shoes and the SPD are referred to as mountain bike models. Lots of guys and ladies here use and like the SPD a lot, the mountain bike shoes are easier for some to walk in. I have no problems with them, but I am a strange case. And, as the others said, leave that shop guy that told you the BS line to his own devices and find a better shop. I agree with the Specialized shops for fitting shoes and shoes.
My LBS is a Specialized dealer, they have a couple of guys BG fit certified. A good shop will help you get the correct shoes for your feet and your riding of they are doing. I just bought new insoles for my Adidas shoes yesterday, the guy did a shoe analysis for my feet, got the correct insoles and showed me the various shoes they had in my size if I wanted to buy them later. They make a tremendous difference in the old shoes fit and feel.
Bill