Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
I do not fully agree on the bolts staying tight. When you first install cleats on a new shoe, the sole of the shoe is plastic and it will slowly deform from the shape of the cleat. Thus, the bolt will loosen up slowly at first as the sole conforms to the cleat. I think it best to check the bolts after a few weeks, then again after a few months. And maybe the beginning of the next year. I have always found if I do that, I catch cleat bolts that are not yet too loose and I can tighten them up before problems develop. Do not just plan to tighten them once when new. I also carry one spare cleat bolt in my collection of spares, although I have never lost a cleat bolt yet.
I did not express myself properly, yes I agree with you on checking them a number of times at first.
This is a very important reminder, thanks.
In general though, after that first period, mine have tended to stay tight for years, but along with periodical checking of bolts in general, its certainly worth a check now and again.
In the case I mentioned of a cleat coming off the shoe and remaining in the pedal, if there had not been a place where I could borrow a pair of pliers to firmly grip and twist the cleat out of the pedal, it wasn't coming out easily....