Hiring a road bike and using Shimano SPD SL cleats

[g7jhp]

I'm heading out to Morzine and intend to hire a road bike and do some climbing.

I use Look Keo pedals with a 4.5 Grey Float Cleat.

Instead of taking my pedals out and fitting them, I was thinking about getting a set of Shimano SPD SL Cleats to use.

Does anyone else do this?

[The_Jackal]

They wont feel the same, best to take your pedals.
You dont want to get ankle or knee problems on holiday.

[Usget]

I've just gone from SLs to Keos and it was a bit of a bugger getting the cleats lined up precisely the same, as they're a slightly different size and shape. If you're happy with your current fit I'd take your pedals instead.

[numtumfutunch]

Whenever Ive hired on holiday Ive either taken my pedals else agreed in advance the rental bike is compatible

Never had an issue

[wal 45]

Only remember seeing a couple of bike shops that hired road bikes when I was there last year, the place is predominately set up for mountain bikes. I'm sure a quick Google will find the shops, the bikes they had were OK but not especially cheap to hire and don't expect a selection of Dogma or S Works to choose from!!

The roads are pretty epic though with some stunning (and hard) climbs, I'll definitely be taking my own road bike back there in the near future. Personally I'd put my own pedals and shoes in.

[ALawson]

Take your saddle as well (unless the hire bike is the same).

[TwistingMyMelon]

In some respects KEos and SLs are similar, they are also different as well

As above if I was hiring a bike I would take my own pedals and saddle

You dont realise how good a saddle is until you use another!

[Amateurish]

g7jhp said:

I'm heading out to Morzine and intend to hire a road bike and do some climbing.

I use Look Keo pedals with a 4.5 Grey Float Cleat.

Instead of taking my pedals out and fitting them, I was thinking about getting a set of Shimano SPD SL Cleats to use.

Does anyone else do this?

If you ask, they will probably fit your pedals for you.

[mikecassie]

As others here have advised, take your pedals with you.

Go and time how long it takes to remove and re-install your pedals. Then time how long it takes you to remove your cleats and fit a different type, remove them and re-install the original cleats.

You should see that removing and re-fitting your pedals is a lot quicker and you won't have any misalignment issues with new unknown cleats.

Also take your saddle, the hire shop should fit that for you when you collect the bike, just let them know you are bringing your own saddle out of courtesy.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Yeah good point about pedals being quicker to remove

Although make sure they come off ok, lots of people over tighten them an leave them on for years!

[g7jhp]

Thanks all.

Part of my original reason for asking as the pedals weren't budging.

Got a longer leavered tool and removed them and re-tightened.

I'll take out my pedals and shoes. 👍