i have just got my new shiny carbon soled shoes and i am wondering about
putting that metal savers on the sole.Do i really need them or do i just
screw on the cleat and get trucking.

Last pair of carbon soled shoes I bought (spesh) lasted a year before the wear near the cleat (Shimano) caused the sole to crack. Needless to say new pair have got the crank bros plates installed.

Quite a common problem with carbon soled shoes. I originally thought it was only a problem with Time cleats but it seems Shimano cleats are even worse offenders for cracking the soles.

I noticed that Sidi do a plate to fit Egg Beater cleats (Chain Reaction have them) which looks like it’s shaped to only fit that cleat – any suggestions for a plate that works with Time pedals?

Yes it is Time Atacs that i have.

I’ve got the first gen carbon road shoes by shimano,used on spds, never even thought about protecting the soles and they are still going strong.

Same as me both road and MTB carbon soles, never had a problem, perhaps you chaps having problems are over tightening the bolts.

I haven’t cracked through the carbon, just worn a groove with the Time pedal (specifically the bar that sits behind the cleat). My plastic soled shoes have similar wear, just not as extreme. Would be good to alleviate the problem by protecting the sole.