Do pedal cleats really wear out? (OT)

Yep, my Crank Bros

Are due soon, but will flip shoes to the more difficult exit angle first. Really depends on the hardness of the metal used for the cleat.

A lot of Shimano or SPD-type stuff I have has been steel, whereas CB and Time often use brass or something else. I'm not a metallurgist, but I do play one on MTBR. Seems the non-steel stuff wears faster...begs the question as to why they make it out of other materials. Maybe having different material between the pedal clips and the cleat reduces squeaking?

Sorry, been drinking,

Sean

The steel Shimano cleats last a long time but do eventually wear out especially if you walk on rocks in them. Crank Bros and Time cleats wear a lot faster because they're brass.

They might use brass because its a self lubricating metal, which would make the cleats engage and disengage easier. I think zippers are made out of brass for this reason, as to why any of this is such youll have better luck asking someone who paid attention in class.

aka brad said:

I've read you should replace your pedal cleats every year or so. Now I've replaced plastic Look road pedal cleats, but I have never replaced a metal cleat on a mountain bike pedal. I still have the same cleats from my Shimano M535 pedals I bought 15 years ago (still going strong on my fixie). I've been using time pedals on my MTBs for the last 5 years with the same cleats.

Does anyone really repalce their cleats?

1G1G, Brad

Click to expand...

I typically swap pedals and replace cleats annually. Pedals are just one of those parts that I want working as designed. Shimano cleats do get a bit rounded at the edges, but I typically find that I bash the pedals enough to not be able to lay ful blame on the cleats for wear.

Friends who ride the crank brothers pedals replace their cleats every 6-12mo depending on the weather. But as stated, these are designed to wear out.