“argh, can’t clip in!!”
I had just stopped for a nature break just off the road in farm country. After clipping my right foot in, I pushed off and was having trouble getting my left foot clipped in. I stopped and got off the bike. Lifting my left foot back and up behind my right knee, I spied a small piece of gravel jammed in between the sole of the shoe and the cleat covers I use. It actually meant having to take the shoe off and prising the unwelcome piece of road out of my shoe. When I had done that I took a closer look to make sure there was no damage. No, no damage, but I think it is time to replace these cleats.
Here are a few photos of the cleats this morning before I replaced them.
So, as you can see, pretty buggered. if you aren’t sure what they should look like, here are some comparisons.
Old
New
Old
New
And side by side.
So, as you can see, they really were due to go.
No, before the wave of SpeedPlay hate hits, they cleats have done 13,600kms! I went through a set of Shimano SPD-SL cleats in 4000kms.
The replacement took me 15 minutes. Take out the 5 minutes it took me to find the Loctite and it is a quick and easy job.
It will be interesting to see how long I get out of this set, as I have started using these Keep on Cover for SpeedPlay from Cell Bikes. They stay on all the time, so now I don’t need to carry the cafe Covers around with me every where i go.
I’m off tomorrow to see how they feel.
