Chose blue cleats after many years of riding the stock yellow ones. Quicker and more confident click in out. Don't really notice the difference in flat, I guess my pedaling style is pretty consistent. These OEM Shimano cleats last forever, unless you walk all over the place on pavement with them on, which is foolish.
Just switched to Shimano Ultegra pedals after a few years on Look Keo pedals (which I stopped used because the metal plate had lost adhesion to the pedal body). I like the near-zero float of these cleats - feels secure. But the wear on the cleats from walking was much faster than what I experienced with the Look cleats. On both shoes, the outside cushion was gone in a week of riding, and further wear on the plastic under the cushion has resulted in a tilted walking surface and less grip. I know, who walks on road cleats? But it's different. Still, the grip to the pedal is good.
Not much to say about the cleats. If you have Shimano pedals, you'll use these. I use yellow because the blue, with less lateral movement, hurt my knees. Some folks says these cleats wear too fast. No so, if you use Kool Kover Cleat Covers, which Bike Tires Direct carry. In short, avoid walking on these cleats without covers. With covers, they last a long time.
I could have purchased the cleats anywhere but always use the price match feature with Biketiresdirect.com!
Customer service is excellent and the whole consumer process is efficient and easy from website to shipping.
You do not slip when walking! The cleats are easy in and out. But the best, when you stop and put your foot on the ground you do not slip. The yellow contact points, keep your foot from slipping.
Decided not to take away a star because one set of the cleats had a bad screw. That screw did cause me to have to get a threading tool and chase the threads in one of my shoes, very scary. Don't buy these till they go on sale, the price has doubled on them in the last couple of years. I also tried the cheap chinese knockoffs, they worked ok but they only last a few weeks and the colored knobs on the cleats fall off after a few days...
I like the Shimano SPD-SL cleat & pedal because they give me a large platform reducing hotspots, are easy and reliable to clip in to and out of, and look good to boot. The yellow cleat is my preference, as I like to have some float for comfort. They last a pretty long time, especially if you are conscientious and don't go traipsing around on pavement and gravel. If you do these latter, the yellow base will wear off rather quickly, and then the cleats have too much vertical play for my liking, but remain usable.
If you are using Sidi shoes, make sure to also get the 10mm bolts as the stock bolts are too short.
The Shimano cleats wear as well as any brand I have ever had.
They have a large platform and I especially like the rubber walking tips on the cleat edges. It does wear off in time , but makes it easier to negotiate the cafe floor.
