Shimano cleat options.....

[loimpact]

So I'm gonna replace a worn set & fill some new shoes with cleats (3 pair in all so lots of cleats needed).

Shimano isn't terribly expensive but I'm seeing a couple of options.....

#1.) BV (Bikepak?) USA??? These are $13 vs Shimano's $19 (in yellow) and definitely appear unique as the clip engagement lip has some white in the plastic mold which may or may not just be colorized.

https://www.amazon.com/BV-Cleats-Compatible-SHIMANO-SPD-SL/dp/B01I2BIKPK/ref=sr_1_10?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1471118396&sr=1-10-spons&keywords=BV+USA+Bike+Cleats&psc=1

#2.) China. These puppies are like $7 on Amazon & $5 on ebay. Sounds great & look right but extreme price difference always makes me wonder.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Road-Self-Locking-Cycling-Pedal-Cleats-For-Shimano-SM-SH11-SPD-SL-Float-Bicycle/321970094514?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D 1%26asc%3D20150817211623%26meid%3D546fb21aa2194631 88f0b958369e3e6d%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1 %26

I might even consider trying both myself and then I could report back for sure but hoping maybe somebody here's already done that and can give advice?

TIA!

[Cicli]

Yeah, I bought some used pedals that came with some cheap ass knock off cleat. They didnt last even half as long. They worked when new. Just go with the good ones.

[dave thompson]

The Shimano cleats last at least a season. $19 is cheap.

[loimpact]

Thanks for the feedback so far.....

A couple interesting notes in case it interests anyone.....

The BV/Bikepak cleat has what they call a "split" design. I wondered why anyone would change half a cleat, but then realized the interface "indexes" the cleat so you could replace them and mate them up in the exact same place the old ones were. Doesn't speak to quality, but definitely intriguing.

Here's a video on their Look version....

https://vimeo.com/103291581

And there's another player in the game which comes from Taiwan. I consider the Taiwanese and Koreans seriously as their level of quality is stepping them away from China and more toward Japan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Exustar-SPD-SL-4-5-Float-Road-Bike-Cleats-fits-Shimano-SPD-SL-SH11-105-Ultegra-/221839720669?hash=item33a6ad80dd:g:FeEAAOSwBahVZ7C Q#rwid

Cheap is relative and I'm not opposed to giving Shimano their $19 but always looking for more N+1 funds. ;)

[BdaGhisallo]

I have found the 3rd party spd-sl cleats to pretty much suck and I wouldn't waste any money on them. Shimano have this system so well designed and sorted that I wouldn't mess with any substitutions.

The spd-sl system and cleat design has been unchanged (but for the addition of the third cleat option, the blue ones) since they were introduced in the fall of 2002. That's gotta tell you something.

[Davist]

I buy the real ones. Looks like they'll meet your budget if you buy overseas.. (~$13)

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/shimano-road-cleats-spd-sl/

replace 1x per season..

[loimpact]

Good find, though the reds are $13. The yellows are $15. I like my joints so I stick with yellow. :p

But I also just scored a pair at $16 off the bay so not too shabby. I may still try the others and share results here. Knowledge is good.

As a funny side note........I find this auction HILARIOUS......(had to screen cap listing as seller just took it down but trust me, these are absolutely toast! :D ).....

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq279/redgtxdi/Trashed.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

So I'm gonna replace a worn set & fill some new shoes with cleats (3 pair in all so lots of cleats needed).

Shimano isn't terribly expensive but I'm seeing a couple of options.....

#1.) BV (Bikepak?) USA??? These are $13 vs Shimano's $19 (in yellow) and definitely appear unique as the clip engagement lip has some white in the plastic mold which may or may not just be colorized.

https://www.amazon.com/BV-Cleats-Compatible-SHIMANO-SPD-SL/dp/B01I2BIKPK/ref=sr_1_10?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1471118396&sr=1-10-spons&keywords=BV+USA+Bike+Cleats&psc=1

#2.) China. These puppies are like $7 on Amazon & $5 on ebay. Sounds great & look right but extreme price difference always makes me wonder.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Road-Self-Locking-Cycling-Pedal-Cleats-For-Shimano-SM-SH11-SPD-SL-Float-Bicycle/321970094514?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D 1%26asc%3D20150817211623%26meid%3D546fb21aa2194631 88f0b958369e3e6d%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1 %26

I might even consider trying both myself and then I could report back for sure but hoping maybe somebody here's already done that and can give advice?

TIA!

If you ever pull out of a pedal when you don't want to, you'll never forget it..step up and buy proper cleats..

[Climb01742]

Just a data point: I used the yellow cleat forever, but recently switched to the blue. I like it better. Very solid, stable feel, with just a touch of float. If you're of a curious nature, that could be an experiment worth trying? I bet you could easily move the blue cleats here if you didn't like them.

[tbike4]

Just a data point: I used the yellow cleat forever, but recently switched to the blue. I like it better. Very solid, stable feel, with just a touch of float. If you're of a curious nature, that could be an experiment worth trying?

+/- 1º on that. I got some new 9000 pedals with blue cleats and removed my aging yellow cleats. I attached the blue cleats exactly where I had the yellow and found the position of the cleat was a bit off but because the yellow had so much float I did not notice. The blue cleats works perfect for me. I don't think I could go red though.

[Avincent52]

If you ever pull out of a pedal when you don't want to, you'll never forget it..step up and buy proper cleats..

What OP said.
Cleats perform two functions--retention and release. Bodily injury can result from the failure to perform either. Not a place to cheap out IMHO.

[sfscott]

I use them in place of Look Keos. Better cleat, and the two-piece system is brilliant for maintaining precise position.

Not low quality by any means.

[loimpact]

I use them in place of Look Keos. Better cleat, and the two-piece system is brilliant for maintaining precise position.

Not low quality by any means.

I take it you're referring to the BV/Bikepak split system?