I think they make an enormous difference, mostly in the ability to pull and push as others have said. Cages just don't give you as much stability. But of course you can still get a good workout with a cage, if you don't want to spend money on cleats don't let perfection be the enemy of progress.

You don't have to be a die hard to know that cleats make a huge difference. Pulling with your toe as opposed to with a cleat is a better feel, but more importantly it makes for a much more efficient, full, stroke

Cleats are a must. It's great to learn how to use them in spin class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find they are, mostly because it’s virtually impossible to get good hamstring activation with the cages. You just can’t pull up enough, rather than pushing down.

This. But I see the appeal of cages. Bike shoes are a PITA.

Oh, I totally agree. If we didn’t have a Peloton at home, I wouldn’t have them. But now having done it both ways, cleats are non-negotiable if you spin regularly IMO.

Anonymous wrote:I find they are, mostly because it’s virtually impossible to get good hamstring activation with the cages. You just can’t pull up enough, rather than pushing down.

This. But I see the appeal of cages. Bike shoes are a PITA.

cleats are 100% worth it

I much prefer cleats. Mostly because cycle shoes are firmer so your foot won't bend when you stand. I also like that you can pull better vs just mostly pushing when you use cages.

I used cages for 15 years taking spin classes at the gym, and it was totally fine; I didn’t know the difference, and the only time it was annoying was when the cages were broken and I’d have to find a different bike.

I’ve had a Peloton for the last five years and use cleats. I like them and think they are marginally better, but I am not sure it’s worth the hassle of taking an extra pair of shoes to the gym, change into and out of the cleats, etc.

I find they are, mostly because it’s virtually impossible to get good hamstring activation with the cages. You just can’t pull up enough, rather than pushing down.

Die hard will tell you they are, I prefer cages.

I’ve been taking spin classes at my gym for a few months and love it. The bikes have cages and cleats, and I’ve just been using the cages with my regular sneakers. Are cleats worth it?