New Shimano MTB cleat design promises easier clip-in, but does it deliver?

For many mountain bikers, clipless mountain bike pedals begin and end with one name: Shimano. Sure, there has been some competition from brands like Crankbrothers and Time, but Shimano is the true OG. In fact, Shimano’s cleats have worked so well that their design hasn’t changed in almost 30 years.

Until today.

An all-new multi-entry cleat design from Shimano

Shimano has just released an all-new multi-entry cleat design, dubbed the “CL-MT001.” This third cleat design joins the two existing options: the classic cleat (SM-SH51) and a multi-directional release cleat (SM-SH56).

The new CL-MT001 differs from the two models that preceded it because it’s a multi-entry cleat. Essentially, the new design should make it easier for riders to click into their pedals. Shimano says that “where the original SH51 cleat requires a toe-first, single-entry approach, the CL-MT001 allows riders to engage the pedal in multiple ways, That means you can clip into your pedal with the traditional front first then rear, or rear first then front, or simply stomp straight down and experience the quick and reliable connection between cleat and pedal.”

Shimano achieved this change in clip-in effect by shaving down the front of the cleat. Instead of a rectangular front edge, the tip of the cleat is now chamfered to provide easier entry into the pedal. Despite the change in the design, the CL-MT001 is backward compatible with all Shimano pedals.

Notably, despite the easier entry, the release action is the same — a twist out to the side. This is not a multi-release cleat.

The new cleat only provides marginal gains over the iconic design

Shimano claims that the new CL-MT001 will allow riders to stomp straight into the pedal, or even enter with the rear of the cleat first. I’ve been riding Shimano’s classic cleats for 20 years, and I feel like I’ve been stomping into pedals that entire time. So, I tested the CL-MT001 back-to-back with the SM-SH51.

In initial tests, I found that it’s indeed easy to clip into a pedal with the new cleat. But how much easier is it than the old cleat?

I grabbed a pair of shoes with the classic cleats installed, and decided to try “stomping straight down” and also entering “rear first, then front.”  Mashing straight into the pedals worked just fine, even when I was intentionally trying not to toe in.

But the real test would be rear-to-front.

For a longtime rider, rear-to-front is completely unintuitive, but I willed myself to give it a shot. And honestly? Even clipping in rear-to-front with the SM-SH51 worked just fine.

While I’ll grant Shimano that the new cleats might make it marginally easier to click in via an awkward angle, I don’t feel any need to go out and buy cleats for my entire shelf of riding shoes. But if the new CL-MT001 is included with your new pair of pedals? There’s no reason not to run them, either.

MSRP: $23