Forum menu
Hello - I'm trying clipless for the very first time, for longer XC rides. I purchased some Specialized 2FO Roost Clipless Shoes and some Shimano PD-ME700 pedals:
https://www.biketart.com/products/shimano-pd-me700-spd-mtb-pedals?variant=42190521270451
What Shimano SPD cleats would you recommend to go with this set up ? The shoes take a 2 bolt cleat set up.
Do they come with cleats? I assume you’re asking about your choice of these https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/shimano-sh51-vs-sh56-cleats/
They’re all the same, except the ‘M’ ones which are just terrible.
Never used the multi release, just use standard SPD
I recently converted to clipless and I have the 56 version, it’s saved me a couple of times when I’ve nearly toppled over as they’ve allowed me wrench my foot out upwards just in time. They don’t come out when pedalling at all but I’m not doing anything remotely technical..
Time ATAC cleats - not the Easy ones. But you’ll need to buy the pedals too. 😉
They don’t come out when pedalling...
They bloody do if you're putting a bit of effort in. Dangerous things, I've nearly been over the handlebars while pulling away from traffic lights on my commute more than once until I realised my purchasing error.
Black 51's all day every day, just back off the clip tension until release becomes second nature, (probably a couple of weeks).
Now you've found the cleats dont forget to grease/coppaslip the threads!
They bloody do if you’re putting a bit of effort in. Dangerous things,
Fair enough - I’m clearly not putting enough effort in 😂
56’s are horrid for anything techy, fast or airborne
And another Time ATAC vote. Perfect for the older non-powered MTB rider with dodgy knees. Even more useful if your local trails turn to a sticky morass in winter as only Crank Brothers egg-beaters shed mud/clay as well.
The Look X-track cleats are compatible with Shimano SPD pedals and are, in my view, slightly better than the SH-51 cleats.
SH-51 design means they try to centre the cleat during riding, whereas the X-track cleat doesn't do this and so stays fully free. You probably won't notice or need this mtbing but for road riding it's a good feature. It means the float is more free.
Getting in/out is slightly better too, although not much in it. Longevity is the same.
Time ATAC
<p style="text-align: left;">For spd cleats I've found these 'Ryder' cleats from Tredz just as good as OE ones, and at £3.99 you can't really go wrong!</p>
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ryder-SPD-MTB-Pedal-Cleats_213127.htm
you bought the correct pedals.
The downside of the midrange shimano pedals is you have to convince yourself you need to upgrade them for reasons like weight, or colour, because they take forever to break or wear out.
Most likely youll need to repalce them because the cleat has worn down too much, but cleats cost the same as pedals with cleat.
Single release cleats - 51s, I think - don't ever consider the multi-release unless all you do is twiddle the pedals round...the slightest bit of force seems to remove the cleat from the pedal - awful idea!
interesting, i also get on very well with multi release, but i never really had much issue with flat pedals..
that being said, i run them with DMR pedals on my mtb, only shimano pedals i have are 520s on my gravel bike, again, no issues. might try standard when these wear out....
SH-51, tenner from Biketart, cheaper on eBay but no idea about provenance.
Standard Black shimano cleats are easy to clip in and out of last a long time too. The Silver multi release cleats are pointless as they pop out when you pull up.
Time ATAC here too.