The usual SPD cleats that we’ve come to know and love are usually made from softer metals in order to make sure that the cleat wore faster than the pedal interface. More often than not, this means that we’re left with heavy cleats that wear super quickly. That is until now, as Silca has announced a new, 3D printed titanium cleat.
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To create the new cleats, Silca has used 6/4 titanium that claimed to only be ever so slightly softer than a pedal’s interface. It’s also said to be 2.25x stronger and 3x harder than the usual brass of mild steel cleats. That means that the overall toughness and abrasion resistance of the new titanium cleat is promised to offer 300-400% wear life compared to traditionally made cleats.
It’s not just Silca’s choice of titanium that makes the new cleats special, however, it’s also the fact that they are 3D printed. 3D printing the cleats has allowed Silica to build them with an internal lattice structure, usually called a gyroid, which retains stiffness and strength but further reduces the weight of the cleat to around half the weight of a traditionally made cleat set, says the brand.
Silca’s new titanium cleats include CNC machined washer plates, 6/4 titanium mounting screws with T25 tool interfaces. They’re also available with Shimano SPD, Crankbrothers, and Time ATAC compatibility.
As for price, that’s $85 (around £63) for a pair.
