I've tried to use cheap off-brand replacement cleats, but they never work as well as the branded ones from Look or Garmin. These engage and disengage perfectly, as they should. The rubber padding on the bottoms is less slippery than the typical, harder plastic. I don't know yet how long they will last. For my typical training, I don't walk around that much. However, when we get into the summer with some long events, I'll be stomping around feed stops where the cleats usually get chewed up. This is also the first time I used the grey float, usually using the red. When it comes time to replace the cleats on my other road shoes, I'll go with these again.
I bought this bike mainly for winter riding because of the fender mounts. This bike rides better than I expected, and I've been riding it all year. It feels quick, handles well, and rides very smooth. It won't let you down on the faster club rides, considering it's an endurance bike.
There are a couple of things that keep this bike from being excellent. The fork rake...The front wheel is out there more so than most bikes, however, the only times it's noticeable are steep climbs like over 10%, hard, out of the saddle efforts, and tight cornering. It's almost like your chasing it, but the rear wheel is tucked under you more and keeps the bike feeling quick on starts and accelerations. Stock weight is the other biggie. My small weighed 21lbs. I changed the wheels and went down a tire size and saved over 2lbs., which transformed the bike immensely. I also changed out everything else except the shifters and derailleurs and got it down to @17.5lbs. Fenders are easy, but the front will require some extra work, because of the way it mounts under the arch of the fork, but you don't need to be a mechanic to make them work. The 105 12 speed is another highlight. It's so effortless and quick. I was thinking about putting electronic shifting on it, but it shifts so good, I'm not sure I will. I also changed out the stem, which seems proprietary, but it's not. I added a Zipp carbon stem and had no issues with cable routing.
All of my other bikes are Look or Time and cost way more than this one, but this one is almost right up there with ride quality after the upgrades I did. Even if you just change the wheels, it will make this bike so much better.
This is a great bike. My friend has one and he thinks so too.
I wish there was more to say about pedal cleats, but they work well and do their thing. I'm a trainer/racer/commuter rider, and when I come and go from work, I have to use a loading dock ramp, which is coated with epoxy. In carbon-soled bike shoes, it's interesting in the wet, but I've noticed it's far easier to walk around with the grip cleats vs the all plastic ones.
It may be placebo, but I do feel that these stay more secure in the pedal once clipped in. They last longer for sure if you walk a lot, I get 6 months or so and I don't do any walking other than in and out of my house or work. Keep 'em lubed with some dry wax and they are good to go.
Catch a sale and stock up.
This is my go to cleat when replacing worn out cleats. The small pads really do help keeping me from 'ice skating ' when stepping off the bike. The pads did not interfere with clipping in/out. Give them a try'
