Vintage Schwinn Pedal Cleat Upgrade

thingiverse

These new cleats replaced the original hard rubber ones found on my old Schwinn bike from the 1960s. The originals were worn out and hardened over time, causing them to spin easily around the bolts and making it difficult for me to keep my foot firmly on the pedals when pedaling uphill or on uneven terrain. The new cleats are designed to fit snugly around the center axle and bolts, ensuring that pedaling force is distributed evenly and minimizing rattling noises while in motion. To achieve this strength and stability, I used thick walls and a high infill material, keeping support limited to just the build plate itself. My pedals feature long bolts and nuts, which are easier to replace than rivets, especially when they need to be removed for maintenance or repair. It's always a good idea to clean and lube the bearings while taking apart the pedal assembly, making it a convenient time to do so. The cleats themselves are split into two parts because the bearing retainers are often stamped and not removable, making it difficult to install them as a single, one-piece platform cleat.