Life-span of Shimano SPD cleats?

What he says^^^

SPDs were a nightmare for me. Having them on both bikes meant I didnt want to switch to atacs on the fix, so I've gone with clips&straps. No complaints really, except they hit the floor when i push the bike :/

imho - cleats and shoes are designed for pushing down, not pulling up. every shoe/cleat system i've run has screamed under the force of skidding.

i'd still rather run cleats than straps though.

Gah.. you lot never listen!

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/Pedals/SI-41R0F-PD-M970_540_520-EN_v1_m56577569830606542.pdf

Look at the middle section/top: "Releasing the cleats from the pedals" and chheck the codes. SM-SH51 single release (black)

SM-SH56 is multi release (gold/optional)

SPD cleats do NOT wear out in a month. 8 years! Road, MTB, Commuting, Tri's, Touring.. if you are unclipping your tension is too low or you twist too much. Buy ATACS or straps or something.

it happened to me today while i was trying to skid, right cleat unclipped itself
i used it about 20times only
no props to shimano

i definitely have single release cleats hippy, so whether I'm superhumanly strong, twisting while pulling up or have dodgy pedals, the fact is SPDs are too dangerous for my liking and have bought some clips and straps. and will probably have an accident because of them no doubt anyway.

New to your forum guys!! West London here wish to convert a bike to single speed in next few months so will be sure to have lots of questions for you soon!!

I can help with this SPD cleat confusion though.

SM-SH51 are single release and come in either black or silver and are compatible with PD-M970 (XTR), PD-M770 (XT), PD-M540, PD-M520, PD-M545, PD-M647, PD-M424 and PD-M324 pedals.

SM-SH56 are multi release and come in either black, silver or gold and will have an 'M' at the base of the triangle and are compatible with the all the above pedals.

SM-SH52 are single release and come in either black or silver and are compatible with PD-M858, PD-M545, PD-M424 and PD-M324 pedals.

SM-SH55 are multi release and come in black, silver or gold and are compatible with the same pedals as the SM-SH52 and also have an 'M' at the base of the triangle like the SM-SH56.

As for the SM-SH50's I have no idea. Think they were replaced by the 51's and are thus compatible with the same pedals, but I can't be too sure on that one.

I've had that problem for a while too (unclipping on the strong foot), and a few realengers I've spoken to have confirmed that this is a common occurence with worn-down spds. According to them the only solution to NEVER unclip is... Time atac.

In the meantime try switching the cleats form one shoe to the other - they get worn in a certain way and will feel tighter if swapped around.

Does sound a bit like your pedals are iffy (unless you have a truly wonky pedalling style). I rode SS mtbing for a bit (including a few races) with SPDs, and never unclipped accidentally, even when pulling up like a mo'fo during low cadence bumpy climbs - I reckon that puts as much high-force weird-angled stress on cleats as skidding.

Have you tried swapping out the pedals/borrow another set of Shimanos from someone else?

Did switch to ATACS though (for mud-clogging reasons at the time)...

Right now I am quite happy with the relative shoe freedom of clips & straps. I do have another set of SPD pedals, I think i'll try them on the bike and see if they're any different. I am considering getting some time atacs as well.

got an old pair of cleats which I'm having problems removing. Bolts have a bit of gunk in which make getting allen keys deeply in really hard and now am round in the edge of the bolts making it harder to get them out. Any suggestions other than multiple does of WD40?

hacksaw screwdriver flats into the cleat and undo

or drill the bottom of the thread out releasing said crap

poss too late now but carefully "scratch" out all shit from allen key socket with something like jeweller's screwdriver so you can FULLY insert allen key .(After the soaking from inside shoe as well as outside with WD40)

on the last 3 posts, I have tried the above and it looks like a drill is the only option I have left.
Any other suggestions,recommendations are gratefully received.

Anyone heard of these new one?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-road-pedal-cleats-shimano-spd-sl-compatible/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360530891

I have a pair of 17 years old shoes with 17 years old SPD cleats. Still going strong. I fear the shoes will wear out before the cleats do.