Installing cleats

Cwazee Yeti said:

I recall reading an article that said you shouldn't install the screws
of your cycling cleats "dry". I also remember when my LBS owner was
helping me properly align my cleat, he put a drop of something on each
screw before tightening them.

Can someone tell me what this is? Is it lube? Is it grease?

I presume it would be Loctite, which is not a lube, but instead is an
adhesive. When dry, it keeps the screws from loosening.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig... You
_`\(,_ | soon find out the pig likes it!
(_)/ (_) |

Cwazee Yeti said:

I recall reading an article that said you shouldn't install the screws
of your cycling cleats "dry". I also remember when my LBS owner was
helping me properly align my cleat, he put a drop of something on each
screw before tightening them.

Can someone tell me what this is? Is it lube? Is it grease?

And also, why is it necessary to do so? I'm thinking if you put some
lube/grease on the screws, wouldn't this increase the chances the
screws will come loose?

Dab a bit of grease or anti-seize compound on the screws. Although it
seems counter-intuitive,lubing the fasteners will reduce friction and
enable you to actually screw them down tighter. It will also reduce the
possibility of the cleats squeaking. If you tighten the screws as hard
as you can, they shouldn't work loose, but check them after the first
ride.

Cwazee Yeti said:

I recall reading an article that said you shouldn't install the screws
of your cycling cleats "dry".

Almost none of the threaded fasteners on a bicycle should be installed dry.

Quoted message said:

I also remember when my LBS owner was
helping me properly align my cleat, he put a drop of something on each
screw before tightening them.

Can someone tell me what this is? Is it lube? Is it grease?

I hope so, but it might be a thread locker such as Loctite. Some folks
use this way too much.

(Grease is a type of lube.)

Quoted message said:

And also, why is it necessary to do so? I'm thinking if you put some
lube/grease on the screws, wouldn't this increase the chances the
screws will come loose?

A. It allows you to get the screws tighter, because there's not so much
friction on the threads.

2. It keeps the threads from rusting together, so you will be able to
remove the cleats in the future without destroying the shoes. Sometimes
shoes outlast cleats, so this is a Good Thing.

Sheldon "No Dry Threads" Brown
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Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

Hi all,

Thanks for the info!

I have these lubes that I use on various parts on my road and mountain
bike. Would any of these be suitable for cleat installation:

KryTech "Wax" Lube
http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/kry-tech.htm

Teflon-Plus "Dry" Lube
http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/teflon-plus-lube.htm

If so, which would be better?

Thanks!

In article <[email hidden]>,

Cwazee Yeti said:

If so, which would be better?

Use something thick, like bearing grease. Chain lube is too thin.

Sheldon Brown said:

Sometimes shoes outlast cleats, so this is a Good Thing.

Sheldon "No Dry Threads" Brown

If you are using plastic cleats from Shimano, the shoes will outlast
many sets of cleats. I get about 1000-1200 miles out of the SPD-SL
SH11. I would imagine that the Look cleats are similar. Last year I
went through 3 sets. How often do the metal SPD cleats wear out? I
have a set, on my Champion Du Monde, but don't ride it enough to wear
anything out.

That is a very confident LBS if they are using Loctite on a new
installation of cleats.

Life is Good!
Jeff

I understated:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sometimes shoes outlast cleats, so this is a Good Thing.

Jeff Starr said:

If you are using plastic cleats from Shimano, the shoes will outlast
many sets of cleats.

Oh, right--I sometimes forget that some folks still use protruding
plastic cleats.

Quoted message said:

I get about 1000-1200 miles out of the SPD-SL SH11.

Right. I used to use Look/Shimano, figure 1500 miles of riding or half
a mile of walking, whichever comes first...

Sheldon "SPDs Rule!" Brown
+--------------------------------------------------------+
| One man's theology is another man's belly laugh. |
| --Robert A. Heinlein |
+--------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

As I recall, there are different strengths of Loctite, one a
much-stronger "lock" than the other. Choose wisely.

Jeff Starr said:

How often do the metal SPD cleats wear out? I
have a set, on my Champion Du Monde, but don't ride it enough to wear
anything out.

Many, many miles/years.

Jeff Starr said:

If you are using plastic cleats from Shimano, the shoes will outlast
many sets of cleats. I get about 1000-1200 miles out of the SPD-SL
SH11. I would imagine that the Look cleats are similar. Last year I
went through 3 sets. How often do the metal SPD cleats wear out?

I got about 12000km out of my first pair, before the one I unclip more
often became loose and clicked at the top of the pedal stroke.

I've noticed that SPD is far more reliable, easy to get in/out of and
tolerant of dirt and mud than the road systems most of the people
I ride with use. New cleats, in particular, seem to cause them problems.

--
bpo gallery at http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/mvw1/bpo

On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 22:17:17 +0930, Michael Warner <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Jeff Starr said:

If you are using plastic cleats from Shimano, the shoes will outlast
many sets of cleats. I get about 1000-1200 miles out of the SPD-SL
SH11. I would imagine that the Look cleats are similar. Last year I
went through 3 sets. How often do the metal SPD cleats wear out?

I got about 12000km out of my first pair, before the one I unclip more
often became loose and clicked at the top of the pedal stroke.

I've noticed that SPD is far more reliable, easy to get in/out of and
tolerant of dirt and mud than the road systems most of the people
I ride with use. New cleats, in particular, seem to cause them problems.

Hi, it's funny, I usually find just the opposite. New cleats, seem to
engage more precisely. Although, the main reason to change them is
that they get very slippery. When new, the SPD-SL SH11cleats have
little yellow pads that make them slightly easier and safer to walk
in. Emphasis on slightly, you still tend to waddle like a duck.

But for actual riding, I really like them, I have a little over 6000
miles on them. Throw in a pair of Sidi Genius road shoes and you are
all set;-)

Compared to my PD-M324 SPDs with the 55 cleat, you can use the SLs set
up for easy in/out, without problems of accidental pull out. It works
that way for me, possibly a stronger rider would need them tighter.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Cwazee Yeti said:

I recall reading an article that said you shouldn't install the screws
of your cycling cleats "dry". I also remember when my LBS owner was
helping me properly align my cleat, he put a drop of something on each
screw before tightening them.

Can someone tell me what this is? Is it lube? Is it grease?

And also, why is it necessary to do so? I'm thinking if you put some
lube/grease on the screws, wouldn't this increase the chances the
screws will come loose?

Thanks!

Some very good, and detailed, information on the subject can be found
at:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/thread.shtml

and

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/torque.shtml