Originally Posted by
CliffordK
I've chosen to go with the same type of cleats with all my bikes. A couple of different brands/styles of pedals, but all SPD compatible.
Aesthetics? If someone else has a problem with my bike build, they can deal with it. I also have shifters that are about 10 years newer than the frame. I now have single sided SPD pedals on one bike, but I'm not sure if I really like them. Still experimenting.
I did get to the point where a couple of pairs of cycling shoes seemed appropriate. So I now have "summer shoes" and "winter shoes". Also "summer and winter" bikes.
You may eventually deem that different types of cycling shoes may have benefits for different situations.
I took it one step further. All Cleats/pedals on all my family bikes are SPD compatible (at least those that use clipless). Thus, when my son joined a mountain biking team and some of the team members use Crank brothers pedals, I told him he would be getting SPD pedals, since we already own multiple sets of SPD pedals. And when the time to buy new arose, we bought SPD for his new mountain bike since he already has shoes with SPD cleats. (and his old pedals can be an emergency backup).
As others have pointed out, having multiple sets of bikes and shoes that are mutually incompatible makes no sense. Additionally, for example, if my son damaged the pedals on his mountain bike on the day of a big race, it is at least possible to take the pedals off one of our other bikes as an emergency measure.
Also, from time to time, I will have to make minor adjustments on the family bikes, and it is easier for me to test ride the bikes if they all use the same type clipless I use.
Find a cleat/shoe design you like and stick with it on all your bikes.