Need help with Look Cleats!!

Which type of cleats?
I had look Delta cleats that lasted pretty well.
I had a set of nashbar brand look compatible cleats that were OK.
I also had a set of looks that got torn up within weeks.

I think there are different colors that have different degrees of float as well as different resistance to destruction. 

My Look cleats are still going strong at the end of their second season here, but I make a point to rarely walk in them. 

Look makes cleat covers you could keep in your jersey pocket and use as required.

Cheers, Chris

I have Look cleats.  I used Look for years and years.  I replace them every year.  I walk in them some but normally if it's going to be very far I take off the shoes.  Not sure why yours wear out in a month.  That seems way too soon!

They're the Look Keo gray cleats. They also make red colored cleats and I've gotten two different stories from two different bike shops about which cleats I can use. One says I can use the red ones the other says I can't and there's a difference of nearly $20 between the two of them. I just can't seem to get a straight answer about which cleat I now need. I wonder if there was some sort of defect with these cleats maybe??

Are you talking about the little piece of rubber on the grip cleats?  That wears down really quickly but the cleats are still OK to use. 

Yea, the little gray piece is totally worn off and I can't clip in and out of the pedals. That's not normal I hope!!! I can't affored to replace those things every couple of weeks!

The difference between the gray and red cleats is the level of "float" they allow your feet.  Red cleats provide 9 degrees of float while gray provide 4.5 degrees (so the red allow for more movement).  You can use either with a Keo compatible pedal.

That being said, I use the gray cleats (not the ones with the grip) and they last me at least half a season.  I don't walk much in them, but if you are forced to I would try getting the ones with grip.

Drew 

On both feet or just one?
What happens when you try to clip in? Does it just not stay in?

Also, as I mentioned, there are keo and delta. The delta ones are cheaper, but I think only nashbar makes pedals for them anymore.
They do make red keo's and you should be able to use them. 

If the little rubber pieces wear/tear they can interfere with clipping in.  Might try cutting off the straggly rubber bits flush with the surface of the cleat.  That may help.

FWIW- I hate the Keo Grip style of cleat.  I would much rather use the older style (no rubber bumpers to walk on) & use cleat covers when walking, or just replace cleats more often (maybe 1-2x/yr).

Definitely remove any hanging pieces.  Once I did that, no problems clipping in/out.  Asked at the store and they said it should not be a problem using them without the grip piece.  Mine took about 6mons to wear down. 

I have the grey ones for about a year and soon after i got them (maybe two months) i noticed my right cleat was giving me trouble clicking in. But, after a year it is still working just a little tempermental.

I had my grey ones for around a year and they are chewed on but still work fine.
I recently got new pedals on my new bike and they gave me red ones.  I thought I was simply replacing my cleats but the red ones scare the heck out of me.  I do not like standing to pedal uphill while wearing the red ones because the extra float makes it feel as though I will unclip at any moment.

Either pair will last me over a year, much more than just a month.

Exustar makes a Keo Compatible cleat - with the wear resistant outer. I think I paid about $15 for a replacement pair - they typically last me at least a season and a half. They also have a couple different float choices. From my experience, these are similar to the Keo Grip cleats - which run about $25.

it may not be ideal.. but have you thought of using SPD bindings instead of look?  I prefer the look system, but in your situation it might be of some benifit to use a SPD. 

something along the lines of the Shimano A600?  I believe the SPD binding is a steal piece that would be hard to "wear" down.

Just a thought...

Edited by Davisjl 2010-09-09 1:47 PM

Take your feet out of your shoes and walk in your socks.

I almost never take my shoes out of the pedals.

I have never replaced my cleats.

I think the two are related. Plus my transitions and mounts/dismounts and very good because I practice them every time I get off the bike.

Also, if you are riding in traffic like you are supposed to, I can't imagine a situation where you need to get off the bike. I commute to work in rush hour, into downtown, and I have never walked the bike. Not to be judgmental, but best practice with bike riding is to act like a car at all times. If you switch between being a car and being a pedestrian, drivers get confused and don't know what you are going to do.

I have the gray Look Keo cleats as well and I am going on two seasons in them. The rubber bits didn't last more than 2 months but the cleats still work just fine.

My rubber fell off when I had to run the 1/4 from my bike rack to the start at my HIM last year. The gray part suffered a little damage but it still works. Maybe you got a bad set, I can't imagine them wearing down that fast without a lot of walking/running around on nasty pavement in them.

I agree. I don't know about Florida, but here in Austin, TX, there are cyclists everywhere. The only folks I see who walk their bikes in the intersections are the ones who clearly are not cyclists. They are usually not wearing a helmet, dressed in street clothes, and they only ride on the sidewalks.

When I ride to work, if there's not a bike lane, I take up half the car lane. Take up your share of the road like a car, stop at the red lights, and ride thru the intersection just like everybody else.

My red Look Delta cleats are over 2 years old. They are worn, but still clip in just fine.

I will cast my vote for your cleats just being a bad pair.
I have the keo grey cleats and they've lasted me two years now. 

I have never, ever, in my life, ever, even when I was a kid, felt that walking through any intersection anywhere ever was safer than being on my bike.

If you can't launch quickly enough from a standing start to get through an intersection.... you're probably coasting down and leaving your bike in too high of a gear.    Make sure that you're shifting into a good "starting gear" while you're approaching the intersection.   Make a quick, determined start when you've got the green light, and you're good to go.

If you feel like you have to walk your bike through an intersection, you're picking roads that are above your riding ability.  Find a more "rural" route until you're comfortable.

Your last option is to practice "track stands" so that you never have to put your feet down at intersections.

I LOL'd but I respect you for at least trying to be prepared.  There is a lot of great pace booty out there.

I have these (for a Delta style cleat).  The wear resistant outer is nice and works well.