Spin bikes have been around for a long time, but they became more popular during the pandemic, and this popularity shows no sign of slowing down.
If you haven’t given spin bikes a try yet, maybe it’s time to do so. Spin bikes are an excellent way to keep your heart and body in shape. While riding a spin bike might look about the same as riding an exercise bike, it’s a far more intense workout.
If you want to get a good home spin session, you’ll need some cycling cleats. And two questions arise immediately – what are cleats and what cleats do I need for spin bikes?
The cleats you choose will affect the cycling shoes you buy as well as the pedals you put on your spin bike.
Read our detailed overview of the common cleat types before investing in a pair.
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What are cleats?
Cleats are essentially part of a clipless pedal that attach to your cycling shoes. In other words, the cleats are what actually clips into the bike’s pedal. The term ‘cleats’ is often used interchangeably with the terms ‘clips’ and ‘clipless’, but they all mean the same thing.
The name ‘clipless’ originates from comparing them to an older design which doesn’t allow you to quickly release when required. The newer design, cleats, release either by pulling your heels upwards or by twisting your heels out to the side.
What type of cleats for spin bikes should I buy?
SPD (Shimano Pedalling Dynamics) Cleats
The SPD cleats are perhaps the most common all-around cleats for cycling today. They were originally developed for trail and mountain bike pedals, but some riders also use them on road and triathlon bikes as well as indoor bikes.
SPDs are known as a ‘two-bolt’ cleat because they use two bolts to attach to the shoe, offering the rider a more secure attachment.
What are the advantages of a two-bolt cleat? Read on to find out.
First, SPD cleats are compatible with comfortable and easier-to-walk-in shoes. This is a benefit when you need to take a break from your workout and go refill your water bottle or do something else at home.
Second, this type of cleats for spin bikes are compatible with most bikes at spin classes, meaning SPDS are a good-to-go option if you can only afford one pair of cleats.
SPD-SL (SuperLight) Cleats
SPD-SL cleats are different from SPD cleats, and we wish Shimano had thought of a more distinct name. With the purpose that you won’t get confused in our discussion, we will just call the SPD-SL cleats as SL cleats.
The SL cleats attach to the shoe with three bolts – that’s why they’re called ‘three-bolt’ cleats. There are many advantages to using SL cleats, including plenty of surface area and impressive float from side to side.
Much like the SPD-SL, these cleats are compatible with many spinning shoes. However, the SL cleats tend to wear down over time, especially when used a lot. This means you will need to replace the cleat once or twice each season.
Look Delta Cleats
Look cleats are also ‘three-bolt’ cleats that are commonly used in road bikes, but not so much in spin class bikes.
When you use the Look cleats, you will experience a bit of float, meaning there’s some side-to-side movement in your foot even when fully clipped in. As this allows your legs to follow a natural range of motion with each pedal stroke, we can say that the Look pedals are ideal for those looking for something that’s easier on the knees.
There are two main lines from look – Delta and Keo. Although these lines look similar, they’re not identical as Delta is compatible with Peloton and other spin bikes while Keo tends to be popular with road bikes.
While Look cleats are compatible with stiff and high-end cycling shoes, they can be hard and a bit slippery to walk in. This is something to keep in mind if you tend to walk around the house in shoes during your workouts.
Speedplay Cleats
What’s great about the Speedplay cleats is their functionality. They have dual-sided surfaces, which come in handy when you need to get clipped in quickly. Also, they have excellent adjustability for stuff like float and clip pressure.
Another notable advantage of the Speedplay cleats is that they’re compatible with three-bolt shoes, a feature that allows you to have a good shoe selection despite having a random pedal.
Overall, the Speedplay cleats are your best bet if you want something that adapts easily to your spin bike.
How do I fit cleats?
Mounting the cleats on your shoe is relatively easy and can be done within minutes. The following video shows you how.
When setting up your shoe for spin bikes, make sure to move the cleats all the way back. This allows you to move your foot more forward over the pedals, allowing easier stabilisation of your ankles and pressure relief off the ball of your foot.
Don’t forget to allow your feet to face the way they do naturally when you’re standing, as this is vital to determining the right angle of the cleats. Needless to say, you have to let your body be the way it wants to be since your bone and muscle development are all designed around that.
Pro tip: To replicate your natural stance, put your hands on your hips and stand in front of a full-length mirror. Then, lift your feet three times and let them land naturally. A good way to know that you need to adjust your cleat width is if your feet are inside or outside your hips.
Conclusion: What cleats do I need for spin bikes?
Now that you know what type of cleats for spin bikes are available in the market, it’s time to decide which one to get.
Go for the SPD cleats if you want a highly versatile option that fits many spin bikes and pedal designs. It’s also a great option if you want high-walkable cycling shoes to go along with your cleat.
The SL cleats are a winner if you aim for great power transfer and compatibility with excellent shoes.
But if you don’t mind a shoe that is difficult to walk in as long as it’s high-performance, the Look Delta cleat wins out in that regard.
As for Speedplay cleats, invest in one if you want a higher-end pedal and cleat system.
Whatever you choose, make sure that the cleats are bolted in properly so that you can pull or push the pedals as fast as you desire.
