Holy crap, just installed SPD SH56 cleat and the efficiency is out of this world. Now I understand why clipless is always recommended by so many cyclist. What a difference a stiffer sole and being clipped in makes, I feel like I have double the power and can go twice the distance I normally do (about 30 miles). And yes, 15 minutes in I almost busted my ass in slow motion, forgetting to unclip as I was approaching bench in park. Luckily it was multi release cleat so I tumbled a bit on my bum and the shoes automatically released. Lesson learned, now everytime I approach a red light its like a replay loop in my head "unclip, unclip, uncliiip"

So any tips for a newbie? Only thing I did was put blue loctite on the cleat screws, just in case. Any maintenance for the spring and pedals? Generally, how long do the cleats last and when to replace? TIA