kbmes

Do the SPD Cleats or the attachment on the pedals wear out? If so how can I tell? I Use Speedplay Frog Chromoly pedals. I like them for there float and I was advised to use mountain bike pedals on road bike so it’s easier to walk. I might do things differently now. Recently while hammering up a hill riding I slipped out of the pedal. The resulting cut and broken ankle has grounded me for a month. It happened so quickly I can’t be sure what happened. I have never had this happen prior to this incident.

Shimagnolo

(Edited to add I am talking about SPD's here)

Yes.
As they wear out, they start slipping out more and more frequently.
I could not see the wear until I took the cleat off the shoe, then looked at it from the side while comparing to a new one.
There is an edge that gets rounded from clipping in.

After replacing the cleat, I almost fell a couple times because it no longer released as easily.

rangerdavid

really sorry to hear of your accident. I recently took off my SPD pedal and cleats for some LOOK Keo carbon pedals and cleats. I've never really hear on the SPDs wearing out. Perhaps you did't have them tightened enough? if they are two sided, there should be an adjustment screw on each pedal on the rear to tighten the spring. How long have you had yours? what kind of wear did you put on them? things we'd need to know to tell if you were even close to wearing them out.

Maybe you can consider switching to a road pedal. I find I like walking in mine better now, but i do have to use the cleat covers, but thats no biggie. anyway, best of luck for speedy recovery.



RD


**edit** the post above was written while I was responding. Makes sense. new cleats, same pedals. cheaper and simpler.

AEO

you might not have been clipped in with your frogs, or while mashing you might have twisted your foot enough to unclip. That's just a design feature/flaw with frogs, there's no feedback if you've unclipped or were never clipped in the first place.

if you want a secure SPD platform, then I would suggest TIME ATAC and bebops.

hairnet

I see a lot of people suggesting TIME pedals and cleats over SPD. What are the pros? I also have a friend that keeps telling me to switch over so we can ride each others bikes since we ride similarly fit bikes.

AEO

better securing mechanism, float that isn't returned to center by springs and easy to overhaul the bearings.

SPD you can actually pull out of even if you're clipped in with new cleats.

hairnet

Yeah, been there. In time I may switch over.

mzeffex 

I see what you did there

Also, the S in SPD stands for Shimano. To say "You should get TIME SPDs" Is like saying "You should get SRAM STIs." Like SPD, the S in STI stands for Shimano.

jsech

How long can you expect SPD cleats to last? Had mine a couple months now and haven't accidently unclipped.

jtwilson

I use Speedplay Frogs, and initially I had problems with one foot coming unclipped.

In order to stay clipped in, there is a curved lip on the cleat that needs to protrude via pressure from the shoe sole [this is a 'hinged' cut-out in the cleat, with rubber pad backing]. It should be sticking out 2mm or so. Due to the curvature of the shoe sole, I had to move my cleat slightly to allow it to press against the rubber pad far enough to give the lip adequate protrusion when the bolts were torqued down.

You could theoretically build up a shim of sorts between the shoe sole and rubber pad on the cleat to get it to push out even further - which might help if the lip has been worn down. It should be sharp on the side facing the back of the cleat.

AEO

you should be able to get by for a years with light use, it's just that it's not the most secure system so when pulling up on the pedal it's possible to unclip it.

you're only held in by spring tension. other systems also rely on springs, but they need to be twisted in one direction to eject.

the road 3 hole system is called look style, first inventor.
the two hole recessed system is called SPD style, first to invent this style.
there's also the 4 hole system, but I'm not sure what it's called.