Forum menu
I tried some cheap CB cleats once and they weren't offset (the top/bottom tabs should be offset slightly left/right). I think the standard CB ones can be switched round to give either 15 or 20° of float. 20° is way too much IMO and will have you falling over because you can't get your foot out. The cheap copies I tried weren't offset so had fixed float that I assume would be 17.5° which didn't work well for me.
What I will say is that my cleats have lasted for years so the slight extra expense wasn't an issue.
CB cleats are not cheap but are better than the copies.
depends on your riding. i ride quite hard so i like the piece of mind the proper cleats bring. if i was XC riding, or not doing anything stupid, the copies would probably be OK.
I had a similar debate when I moved back to clips.
I've gone with the Crank Bro's Mallet Boa's - not cheap but I really like them.
Crank Bro's pedals start off feeling nice but the soft cleats do wear quicker than most and the first you'll know is an unscheduled nac-nac when you pull up off something 🙂
I really like the Hope Union DH pedals as you can change the pins and plastic supports to get quite a natual "flat" like feeling
Chinese cb cleats work just fine and I'm riding them hard.
re the riding on ice cubes comments
I had this on my dual sided pedals, the SPD mechanism stood proud with no platform support whatsoever, foot would swivel, and gave hot spot on the cleat
Since then i have discovered that it isn't like that at all, using the DMRs with a big platform, no issues, even using Shimano 520's, the platform is essentially a 10mm strip at each end of the spd, still reasonable grip with no swimming about
flat shoes are much better if you have to walk home if something on your bike breaks mid-ride.
Again, very much depends upon the surface you're walking on. Flat shoes tend to have minimal tread depth and so slither about on wet grass, mud and peat. I'd rather have a SPD sole with decent tread (though, TBF, if I'm expecting lots of hike-a-bike I'll often opt for walking boots and some Nukeproof Electrons).
@b33k34 I've no idea about the clone cleats. My genuine cleats just keep working so I've had no reason to look at cheaper alternatives.
My wife switched to clips years ago on her DH and enduro bike because she kept getting her feet bucked off the pedals (even with decent flat pedals and 5Tens). But then I’m a lot heavier than she is so maybe that helps me keep my feet planted. I can’t remember a time when my feet got rattled off the pedals.
Again, very much depends upon the surface you’re walking on
true, i was thinking about it being actually easier to walk. that said, im comparing five tens to 15 year old rigid sole with molded in plastic bits for “grip”. i suspect things have moved on.
@b33k34 I've got a brand new set of CB cleats that I need to sell. Came with CB shoes but I use Shimano/Nukeproof pedals so no use to me.
Oh and the CB shoes are excellent, really comfy and you can set the cleats a long way back. Not very old so can't comment on durability yet
@fathomer. DM me
I’ve had a pair of mallet shoes for a while - they’re lasting well - but I sold the cleats!
true, i was thinking about it being actually easier to walk. that said, im comparing five tens to 15 year old rigid sole with molded in plastic bits for “grip”.
I expect you can still buy the rigid sole shoes, but my 2FOs feel pretty similar to five tens for walking in really - the soles are soft and the cleat isn't really pronounced.
I found neither official or cheap CB cleats lasted long, but official ones certainly longer. I don't (can't) do much walking on my rides but I can imagine I might clip in/out more than other people do.
I too couldn't remember when I had issues keeping my feet on flat pedals, but then I'm certain I couldn't push/pull/pedal quite the same as when clipped in. In fact, I think that if I went back in a few months to flats I'd end up getting pedals scrapes.
re walking, my 510's aren't xc shoes, they are no different to walk in than my Shimano flats.
you can't just try clipless and reap the benefits.. you need to live in them for it all to become second nature, I don't even think you can flip between flats and clips as you'll never develop that muscle memory for one or the other. I'm not just talking clipping and unclipping, I'm talking riding as a whole. obviously mileage will vary, depending on how/where you ride.
I don't think this has been posted but is vaguely interesting (it doesn't make any difference to my riding but a good watch) -
don’t even think you can flip between flats and clips as you’ll never develop that muscle memory for one or the other. I’m not just talking clipping and unclipping, I’m talking riding as a whole. obviously mileage will vary, depending on how/where you ride.
Both Peaty and Greenland disagree in the above video but they do basically live on bikes so...
you might be right, ill try flats in a few months to see if i have unlearened
I'll echo what @alan1977 says. You've really got to live clipless if you are using them. I can see where flats are a benefit for enduro/DH, but everywhere else clipless can be better, and essential in some cases (road).
All my 5 bikes are clipless. Both road bikes use old Look Delta pedals, but these are top of the range and have a really strong hold - you aren't unclipping by accident. The commuter MTB, FS and CX bike are all running SPD, the FS has the wider trail XT pedals, the other two, normal small SPD's (XT and M520) The FS has the trail pedal as you do get somewhere to keep an un'clipped foot, especially if you may need to dab.
Even if just doing a family pootle, and if using one of the SPD bikes, I've got some SPD trainers ! If I'm pootling on the road bikes, I have to take it really steady if in trainers as I'm not clipped at all.
I'd find it difficult to use flats. Always clipped in.
you can’t just try clipless and reap the benefits.. you need to live in them for it all to become second nature, I don’t even think you can flip between flats and clips as you’ll never develop that muscle memory for one or the other. I’m not just talking clipping and unclipping, I’m talking riding as a whole. obviously mileage will vary, depending on how/where you ride.
I'm equally at home on either - and have ridden both on MTB's for 30 odd years - more clipped in than flats though
Just switched from clips on the big bouncy ebike back to flats and much preferring it.
Took the flats off the HT and put the clips on that. Jump on either and go for a ride without really thinking about it tbh
I have moved my cleats as far back as possible in all my mtb shoes.
Only thing I have noticed is sometimes trying to unclipped at certain crank angles the front of my shoes interferes with the cranks and struggle to unclip.
I've got some CB cleats somewhere, they came with my lovely Mallet shoes but I use Shimano pedals and have no intention of switching. I'll post here if I find them.