Cleats for clipless pedals

Cleats for clipless pedals are an essential part of the pedal system—a small but crucial component that determines how your bike feels with every pedal stroke. Cleats attach your shoes to the pedals, enabling efficient power transfer and precise control. The right cleat ensures natural foot movement, reduces strain and improves riding comfort. Different systems, such as Shimano SPD, SPD-SL, Look and Crankbrothers, offer their own cleat types, which differ in float, retention force and durability.

The condition and compatibility of your cleats directly affect your riding experience. Worn or incorrectly adjusted cleats can lead to power loss and knee discomfort, so it’s important to check and replace them regularly. Cleats are available in different materials for road, gravel and mountain biking, from lightweight plastic models to durable metal versions. When choosing cleats, it’s also worth considering the float value, or range of foot movement, which determines how much your foot can move while attached to the pedal—more float offers greater comfort, while less float provides maximum efficiency.