Shimano Pair of SPD Wedges for Mountain/Cyclo Shoes

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By following these simple steps, you can ensure the correct installation and proper maintenance of your Shimano SPD cleats, maximizing your cycling experience. Can I use SH51 or SH56 cleats with road cycling shoes? These pedal cleats attach to the bottom of compatible cycling shoes and engage with the pedal mechanism to provide a secure and efficient connection between the rider and the bike. Clean your cleats regularly using a soft brush or cloth to remove dirt and debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the cleats. The fact that SH56 cleats are included with Shimano’s Easy Release pedals gives a clue to their advantage.

After comparing Shimano SPD SH51 vs SH56 cleats, it is clear that both have their advantages and disadvantages. The SH51 cleats offer a more secure fit and are ideal for off-road riding, while the SH56 cleats are easier to release and are better suited for commuting and road riding. Having multiple release options means you’re much less likely to get trapped in your pedals and topple over when you come to a stop. For a clipless pedal beginner, that may increase confidence because it feels more like riding flat pedals, and you may find the easier release is preferable for urban riding. I've always serviced my SPDs as necessary and looked after the bearings. However plenty of other folk have treated them almost as if they are 'disposable'. Correspondingly older cleats such as SM-SH50 or SM-SH55 give large amounts of float with newer pedals. However as noted above I do not think that these older cleats should be used with 'open' binding pedals, only 'platform binding' types. So for example PD-M515 would probably work (albeit with much increased float) with SM-SH50 cleats, but with PD-M520, I wouldn't use either SM-SH50 or SM-SH55; not only would the float be increased, but the cleat wouldn't be supported properly either.Installing the Shimano SPD cleat is a straightforward process requiring a few tools and attention to detail. Follow these basic steps for installation:

Some say cycling with cleats improves pedalling efficiency because clipless pedals encourage you to engage your foot through the whole pedal rotation, rather than just pushing on the pedals on the downstroke. Periodically lubricate the moving parts of the cleats to ensure smooth operation. Use a light oil or grease compatible with the cleat’s materials. It’s important to note that Shimano SPD cleats come in two different varieties, SH51 and SH56, which are not interchangeable. Ensure you have the correct pedal cleats before initiating the installation process. Maintenance There’s no reason why you can’t use two-bolt cleats and pedals on a road bike. They’re also likely to be an advantage if you’re planning to go touring, or for walking around a coffee stop in wet weather. Different clipless pedal systems Originally there were just two SPD cleats: SM-SH50 was the standard single-release cleat (twist outwards only) and SM-SH55 offered multi-release (twist any direction you like and less force required), which is best for beginners and light riders. SH51 was an early (1995) improvement on the original SH50, and remains the current standard single-release cleat that fits almost all SPD pedals.

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The key things to get right for you are the forward/aft positioning of your cleats, the side-to-side placement, or stance width, and the toe in/out. Choose the cleats that best suit your riding style. For many riders, that will be the SH51 cleats. Stan Portus / Our Media On the other hand, most riders find it relatively easy to get used to single-release SH51 cleats and the twisting-out action necessary to disengage. The learning curve is a lot less steep than with the road-going SPD-SL pedal system. This is the original SPD concept and so much more versatile that I’ll not say anything more about the several incompatibly different road-only designs that Shimano have experimented with, apart from noting that SM-SH71 is one (which can also be used with some early designs of original SPD pedals).