Hi,
I bought these Northwave shoes last year and used them for a longer trip that lasted about a month. Now they we just in the basement for half a year and when I took them out, all the screws and the cleats seem to have rusted, even a snake-shaped thing coming out. What could this be and can I still use them? I never experienced it on other shoes of the same brand. Picture below.
Thanks!
by MeisterWinkel
7 Comments
Just replace the cleats and move on?
Cleats with some rust will still work without any issue. If you want, you can clean them up a bit with a steel wire brush.
Next time, don’t store them in a damp area.
Just clean and dry them better next time. Who knows what was on the cleats when you put them away or exactly the conditions they’ve been in.
You’ve got a damp issue in your basement buddy! I would be more concerned with the bike if that was also left for the same amount of time..
Clean the drivetrain and brakes as others have mentioned but also you should check all the nooks and crannies of your bike thoroughly to make sure it’s not crusty.. headset, bb, pedal bearings, seatpost etc
If you catch it early it will be fine, but if you leave it you could be causing headaches later
Took a dump in them shoes
Set the shoes on top of one of these: [https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-30-Pint-Portable-Dehumidifier-for-Very-Damp-Spaces-ADEL30LY](https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-30-Pint-Portable-Dehumidifier-for-Very-Damp-Spaces-ADEL30LY)
It won’t help the rust but your basement will smell better.
The “just go ride” advice isn’t great. I would *get the cleats off the shoes* as soon as possible because if they seize or strip, you’ll have to drill them out when it’s time to replace them. The screws are gross, get em out before they get worse.
New cleats are $10 or so at the bike shop.