3D Printed Time ATAC Cleats

Traditionally, mountain cleats have only been available in two materials: mild steel and brass. This choice was largely intended to ensure the cleat wore out faster than the pedal interface. However, it left riders with cleats that wear out quickly and, in all cases, are relatively heavy.

Enter 6/4 Titanium. Only slightly less hard than the tool or spring steel used in pedals, 6Al/4V titanium is 2.25 times stronger and 3 times harder than brass or mild steel. Even better, its extreme toughness and abrasion resistance deliver 300–400% longer wear life compared to traditional cleat materials.

But the SILCA team didn’t stop there. By combining 3D-printing technology with this alloy—which is also one-third lighter than steel—they created a cleat with an internal lattice structure (a gyroid) that preserves stiffness and strength while dramatically reducing weight. The result: a cleat set that weighs only half as much as a standard set.

This weight savings of 25–30 grams per set adds up over time—especially in cyclocross (CX) events where running is critical.

Key Features

• 25 g reduction × 100 rpm = 180 kg of mass not lifted per hour of riding (90 kg per leg)

• Shimano SPD: 24 g, 30 g lighter than stock

• Crank Brothers: 22 g, 24 g lighter than stock

• Time: 22 g, 26 g lighter than stock

• Made from 6Al/4V titanium

• 3D printed in Indianapolis

• 4× the life expectancy of brass