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3D Printed Titanium MTB Cleats from Silca promise 1/2 the weight with 4x the durability?

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Silca is on a roll lately when it comes to 3D-printed titanium. Whether it’s a computer mount, tools, or even a hollow set of track end dropouts, it seems that the company is looking for every opportunity to create lighter and stronger parts with the magic of 3D printing. Now, that list also includes 3D printed titanium MTB/CX/Gravel cleats—with titanium hardware of course.

silca titanium cleat construction Silca titanium cleat construction

For the most part, MTB cleats have been limited to either steel or brass. For the pedals that use brass cleats, like Time and Crank Brothers, the brass material can wear fairly quickly. The mild steel of Shimano SPD cleats is typically harder wearing, but like the brass cleats, it’s fairly heavy.

So Silca figured out a way to make cleats that were both lighter and more durable. Utilizing an internal lattice structure called a gyroid, Silca was able to take advantage of a construction method that is only possible through 3D printing. That results in a 6AL/4V titanium cleat that claims to be 2.25x stronger and 3x harder than brass or mild steel.

Silca claims that the 6/4 titanium is still slightly softer than the tool or spring steel used in the construction of the pedals, so in theory, the cleats should still wear out faster than the pedals, allowing you to replace just the cleats in the future while preserving the pedals.

Silca Titanium MTB cleats shimano crankbrothers time

Available in Shimano, Time ATAC, or Crank Brothers compatible fitments, each version is 3D printed in Indianapolis and includes titanium hardware. Claimed weights are between 22-26g, meaning each version is less than half the weight of stock cleats. Of course, that doesn’t come without a price. Each set of cleats is $85, meaning you could buy at least three sets of stock cleats for the same price. But if you really get four times the life expectancy of the brass cleats, maybe it’s worth it for the weight reduction?

Cleats will begin shipping 11/24.

• Shimano SPD 24g, 30g lighter than stock
• Crank Brothers 22g, 24g lighter than stock
• Time 22g, 26g lighter than stock
• 6V/4AL Titanium
• 3D Printed in Indianapolis
• 4x life expectancy of brass

silca.cc

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BMX
BMX
2 years ago

they look lovely probably be good cuff links

Tony pepperoni
Tony pepperoni
2 years ago

I wear those plastic straps that go around my feet.

ShopMechanic
ShopMechanic
2 years ago

One of very few Silca products that I would actually consider buying. I’d like to see more products like this from them that are focused on value, regardless of price point, rather than the slightly gimicky “top of the line” stuff. Think Chris King headset. Expensive, but if you ride a ton, it’s the best deal out there.

Larry Falk
Larry Falk
2 years ago

Can they print them with a 1 degree tilt like the Bikefit cleats? I definitely would buy that (and hopefully they wouldn’t squeak).

An203
An203
2 years ago
Reply to  Larry Falk

@larry, on their podcast Josh mentioned this possibility. I guess you would need to directly contact them. That’s indeed a very interesting option 3D printing brings to the table!

Anonymous Coward
Anonymous Coward
2 years ago

Considering that it’s basically impossible to by Time cleats right now these might be a hit. I have one last pair of cleats to replace my currently very worn cleats. After that if normal cleats aren’t in stock I would gladly pay this price to be able to continue to use my Time Atac pedals.

gregoryvanthomas
2 years ago

Actually not bad.

David W
David W
2 years ago

“4X life of brass cleats”. What about steel Shimano steel cleats?

Dylan Sutton
Dylan Sutton
2 years ago

The ‘longer wearing’ aspect is spurious, at least for SPDs. The pedals and cleats I’m running on my commuter are both about 15 years old (Exustar SPD copies, steel cleats), and are on their third pair of shoes. I have several cleats that came with other pedals floating around the bottom of my parts box still in their plastic baggies. I get see better value for $85 by giving it to the homeless guy begging on the corner.

eggzackly
eggzackly
2 years ago

I’m a long time crankbrothers pedal user. I love the pedals but their cleats are made from cheese. I chew through them in no time. I’m gonna try these in hopes of a long lasting cleat.

Astro Kraken
Astro Kraken
2 years ago

@Dylan that’s like bragging about never changing your cassette or chain.

Also, if you in winter in a part of the country where they salt the roads, your cleats will be shot by springtime anyway.

nooner
nooner
2 years ago

Silca had me at 6/4 titanium…

Jim Skinner
Jim Skinner
2 years ago

Changes the sacrificial wear item from the cleat to the pedal! Perfect!

william hofsess
2 years ago

That’s plus shipping no doubt.

Dylan Sutton
Dylan Sutton
2 years ago

@Astro Kraken, no it really isn’t like that. I wear through chains and cassettes like everyone else, ditched Keo pedals on my road bike because of the ridiculous cleat wear on those, and the wear rate on speedplay cleats even with minimal walking on them is what I like least about that system. Steel SPD cleats simply aren’t a significant wear item for me.

I live in Australia so I don’t have to deal with salted roads despite commuting every day year round rain hail or shine. But if you’re riding on salted roads and not hosing down your gear with fresh water afterwards, rusty cleats are going to be the least of your problems.

colematt
2 years ago

Do Speedplay next. They basically hosed over their Frog and Syzr customers when Wahoo bought them out and discontinued cleat production

Brian Nystrom
Brian Nystrom
2 years ago

Definitely! The last generation of Frog cleats were junk, anyway. I’d really like to see cleats for my Syzr pedals.

Dirt McGirt
Dirt McGirt
2 years ago

If I had a dime for every time I uttered “it’s these fricken cleats! They’re too dang heavy”….

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