When to replace my Look Cleat

Look says that you need to replace the cleats when you can't see the dots (small holes) on the bottom of the cleat. In my opinion, if you do that, you will end up replacing your cleats every month, which isn't economically sensible.

After using the cleats for a long time, you will get a feel for when you need to replace them. As the cleat wears you may find that you will need to increase the tension on the pedals. If the tension is all the way up, and the pedal still feels jiggly, replace the cleat.

I've worn the cleats down to the point of the tip breaking off just to see how long they would last. They still clip in after that point!

If you're doing a lot of heavy duty riding, such Thor Hushovd-like sprinting during races, you may need to replace them more often. If it's just for recreational riding, if the cleat feels tight enough you're OK.

How many miles do you have on your cleats? So far I have about 2200 miles on my cleats and they may need replacing after 1000 more miles. Some people rotate their cleats, but I just replace them as they wear out.

genedan said:

Look says that you need to replace the cleats when you can't see the dots (small holes) on the bottom of the cleat. In my opinion, if you do that, you will end up replacing your cleats every month, which isn't economically sensible.

After using the cleats for a long time, you will get a feel for when you need to replace them. As the cleat wears you may find that you will need to increase the tension on the pedals. If the tension is all the way up, and the pedal still feels jiggly, replace the cleat.

I've worn the cleats down to the point of the tip breaking off just to see how long they would last. They still clip in after that point!

If you're doing a lot of heavy duty riding, such Thor Hushovd-like sprinting during races, you may need to replace them more often. If it's just for recreational riding, if the cleat feels tight enough you're OK.

How many miles do you have on your cleats? So far I have about 2200 miles on my cleats and they may need replacing after 1000 more miles. Some people rotate their cleats, but I just replace them as they wear out.

Thanks for the great and thorough reply. I have only used the cleats about 400 miles and comparing them to a new pair I haven't installed yet I think one issue is that the ones I am using had a softer black pad (on a grey cleat). The new ones have a dark grey pad on a grey cleat. I also did a lot of city riding today and then noticed that one of the pads near the toe is nearly torn off. I am way past the little dots but I do still have some pad. But I like what you said about if they work they work, and I'll be carrying the new cleats until I switch them. It also looks like they don't have a left and right so I could just replace the one that is taking a beating from stopping? Thanks!!

Clydesdale2 said:

Thanks for the great and thorough reply. I have only used the cleats about 400 miles and comparing them to a new pair I haven't installed yet I think one issue is that the ones I am using had a softer black pad (on a grey cleat). The new ones have a dark grey pad on a grey cleat. I also did a lot of city riding today and then noticed that one of the pads near the toe is nearly torn off. I am way past the little dots but I do still have some pad. But I like what you said about if they work they work, and I'll be carrying the new cleats until I switch them. It also looks like they don't have a left and right so I could just replace the one that is taking a beating from stopping? Thanks!!

when the pad falls off try rotating/switching them and se how it works out for you, good luck!

I rode my red cleats for around 3000 miles, a loooong time after the black rubber fell apart. The front was getting a bit gnarled from walking and I was finding them looser in the pedal so I switched to grey. The grey rubber pad does seem a bit more durable but I haven't put more than a few hundred miles on them so far. I like the grey for the lack of float but you do have to play about a bit before you get them feeling right.

My trail i ride on has a set of stairs (300 or so) was riding with my buddies one day and they wanted to go up to ride on the street. 300 stairs later my cleats were done, you know how big of a idiot i felt knowing i have the protection clip in pads in my back jersey pockets. You learn from your mistakes i guess. Got my reds 2 days ago and will be sure to treat them right.

The rubber on the bottom of the cleat is just to assist with walking, and is not a necessary part of the cleat. In fact, you can buy LOOK cleats with or without the rubber. I buy the ones without rubber because they are cheaper and the rubber wears out real fast anyway.

I also keep cleats for absolutely as long as possible because they really are expensive (given that they are just a piece of plastic, not gold, or carbon fiber, for that matter). However, they do start to loosen in the pedal over time, and I am definitely in the habit of tightening down pedal tension as someone mentioned above. The "safety concern" is about pulling out of your pedal while riding. If you are out of the saddling, powering up a hill, and pull out of your pedal, it won't be pretty!!!!

That being said, I too have ridden my LOOK cleats until the tips broke off. Strange feeling. . . I would hear/feel the cleat clip into the pedal and then when I'd get to a stop, my foot would just fall out of the pedal!!! Needless to say, I was extra careful on that ride, and changed my cleats the minute I got home!

oh, and I usually get about 3000mi out of a set of cleats.

Uhm, dialing up the release tension doesn't really accomplish anything with worn pedals. Worn pedals are a concern because they can break or can flex enough to pull out in a non-release (as in designed release) direction.

Cleats aren't so expensive that I'm gonna squeeze every last pico mile out of 'em that I can. An unplanned, hasty release can result in massively bad juju. The results of such a release can have consequences far more expensive that any stupid cleat. Of course, one upside to milking all the life possible out of a cleat is that while the oral surgeon or ER doc is working on you, you can consider the cost/benefit analysis of your choices.

CalicoCat said:

The rubber on the bottom of the cleat is just to assist with walking, and is not a necessary part of the cleat. In fact, you can buy LOOK cleats with or without the rubber. I buy the ones without rubber because they are cheaper and the rubber wears out real fast anyway.

I also keep cleats for absolutely as long as possible because they really are expensive (given that they are just a piece of plastic, not gold, or carbon fiber, for that matter). However, they do start to loosen in the pedal over time, and I am definitely in the habit of tightening down pedal tension as someone mentioned above. The "safety concern" is about pulling out of your pedal while riding. If you are out of the saddling, powering up a hill, and pull out of your pedal, it won't be pretty!!!!

That being said, I too have ridden my LOOK cleats until the tips broke off. Strange feeling. . . I would hear/feel the cleat clip into the pedal and then when I'd get to a stop, my foot would just fall out of the pedal!!! Needless to say, I was extra careful on that ride, and changed my cleats the minute I got home!

oh, and I usually get about 3000mi out of a set of cleats.

Thanks for the great input! All of you. I am new to this site and and it is awesome to get such great guidance!

I have over 5,000kms on my set of reds on 1 pair of shoes. Surprised how long they've lasted. Mind you, I do use my cleat covers every chance i get once i dismount off the bike. I slip them on. 5$ well spent. plus it's a hell of lot safer to walk around in.

I do carry a spare cleat on long century rides i do as a precaution. small enough to fit in the saddle bag.

CdnRider said:

I have over 5,000kms on my set of reds on 1 pair of shoes. Surprised how long they've lasted. Mind you, I do use my cleat covers every chance i get once i dismount off the bike. I slip them on. 5$ well spent. plus it's a hell of lot safer to walk around in.

I do carry a spare cleat on long century rides i do as a precaution. small enough to fit in the saddle bag.

That's the ticket: use cleat covers when you can. They take up very little room in a pocket but can greatly extend the life of yer cleats.

That's what I does, too.

alienator said:

That's the ticket: use cleat covers when you can. They take up very little room in a pocket but can greatly extend the life of yer cleats.

That's what I does, too.

Thanks, I am going to go with the covers and replacement when I have doubts. But all these comments do leave me feeling like I don't have to replace them as often as Look implies.