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SPD-SL: red vs. yellow cleats

Started by dave d · · Last activity · 7 posts · 1,357 views

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01 / Original postSPD-SL: red vs. yellow cleatsdave d · 12 Jan 2005 02 / This pagePosts 1–7Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #7Julian Radowsky · 13 Jan 2005

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
12 January 2005
Last activity
13 January 2005
Original author
dave d
Posts
7
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Public discussion
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1,357
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Cleat position

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  1. Original post
    dave d
    Archived post
    #1

    Dear Cyclists:

    Was given a pair of the Dura Ace SPD-SL pedals a year or so ago. I've used the yellow cleats exclusively to this point. Happily used Looks with red cleats for five years, so I figured I should have the floating cleat on the Shimanos, too.

    There are some things I love about these pedals:

    - big platform
    - low weight
    - good cornering clearance
    - relatively secure (e.g., compared to Look)
    - walkable cleat

    I don't like:

    - "vague" float feeling, with some play at the toe and some at the heel
    - cleat is generally too loose in the pedal for my taste: there is too much up and down wiggle room, especially in the toe

    I've been saying to myself, "Well, these are good enough for Lance, so they've got to be good enough for me." But then I remembered that he uses the red cleat.

    Wondering if there are SPD-SL users out there on the red cleats and if these cleats alleviate the problems I'm talking about. No knee problems, so not irrevocably sold on having float, and I'm not so sure that knee probs are caused by lack of float, anyway.

    Thanks.

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  2. ed073
    Archived post
    #2

    Red cleats will lock you in.

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  3. dave d
    Archived post
    #3
    ed073 said:

    Red cleats will lock you in.

    Yes, I know that the red cleats are supposedly "fixed," without any float.

    I'm looking for some first-hand experience.

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  4. ed073
    Archived post
    #4
    dave d said:

    Yes, I know that the red cleats are supposedly "fixed," without any float.

    I'm looking for some first-hand experience.

    I've got 'em on my Dura-Ace.

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  5. dave d
    Archived post
    #5
    ed073 said:

    I've got 'em on my Dura-Ace.

    Ed (I'm assuming that's your name):

    Thanks for the replies.

    Is there any play in the red cleats? Any up and down wobble room? Any play in the toe or heel?

    I notice the play in the yellow cleats particularly when climbing (clickclickclick every time I unweight on the upstroke).

    Dave

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  6. ed073
    Archived post
    #6
    dave d said:

    Ed (I'm assuming that's your name):

    Thanks for the replies.

    Is there any play in the red cleats? Any up and down wobble room? Any play in the toe or heel?

    I notice the play in the yellow cleats particularly when climbing (clickclickclick every time I unweight on the upstroke).

    Dave

    Cool...yes, my name is Ed 🙂

    they're just like the old black Look ones. No movement at all when new....mine aren't worn out enough et to see at what point they start to loosen up, but climbing they are rock solid.

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  7. Julian Radowsky
    Archived post
    #7
    dave d said:


    ...
    I notice the play in the yellow cleats particularly when climbing (clickclickclick every time I unweight on the upstroke).

    Dave

    Very odd, I use the Yellow SPD-SL cleats, and I only have float in the intended direction - left and right, there is no vertical play or clicking sound at all. Are your cleat bolts tight? Perhaps the soles of your shoes are flexing a bit and it is the sole knocking on the pedal (not even sure if that is possible)?

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