Cleat Maintenance: Avoiding Pain and Injury


Just a short one!

As I settled into bed, I felt a sharp sting on my knee. I noticed a bruise forming and felt fluid when I touched it. I raced twice on the same day but felt no discomfort. The next day, I changed my cleats and went on a training ride. Surprisingly, there was no pain, and the fluid disappeared after a couple of days.

If you’re reading this, you probably have spent a fortune on a bike, helmet, clothes, shoes and equipment. But cleats are often forgotten about. Remember to take care of the small things that can make a big difference in the long term. Worn-out cleats can lead to foot, ankle, knee, and hip pain and, if not addressed, could result in long-term problems.

Here are the tell-tale signs that indicated I needed to change my cleats:

  • Starting to feel discomfort in my knee, but only when using the indoor trainer.
  • Struggling to clip in straight away, making me look like a beginner on the start line at races.
  • Experiencing skidding and slipping at cafe stops.

What are the signs that you’ve been ignoring?


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