lubing speedplay's

[Jo-n-NY]

Ok, here is a question from me. How often and how and what part do you lube the pedals. I haven't done anything since I got them a few months ago because I simply forgot about the slight up-keep. Probably because I have no problems with them, but I just recently read about lubing them and I am just curious what some of you other speedplay ladies do.

I guess I will jump the gun and ask for my friend also as she has speedplay x's, I think.

Again, Thanks Much!!!

~ JoAnn

[DeniseGoldberg]

I don't know about the Speedplay Xs, but the Frogs have a grease port on the outside of the pedal. If the X has the same thing, you just remove the little screw (and don't lose it!) and shoot grease in from the side.

--- Denise

[pkq]

Same procedure on the X's. Mine have about 5k miles w/o lubing. Will probably do it soon since the mechanic said to do it annually.

[bikerchick68]

I just squirt my Zero's with White Lightening about once a month or so...

[DeniseGoldberg]

I just squirt my Zero's with White Lightening about once a month or so...

As I understand it, you should be squirting grease (not lube) into the pedals to grease the bearings. Maybe there is a White Lightening grease, but all I've ever seen is the lube.

--- Denise

[Jo-n-NY]

Speedplay sells a gun with lube for $25.00. My LBS does not carry it. Is that what you use Denise or is your process more simple and more easily accessible.

I remembered about the port and went on the site. I just don't want to by something unless it is necessary.

Thanks
~ JoAnn

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have a lube gun, can't remember the brand, but REI has a Pedros lube gun/grease combo available for $24 - so the price you saw on the Speedplay site is probably about right.

Do you do your own bike maintenance? If not, why not just have the bike shop lube the pedals when you take it in for a tune-up? That should be part of the normal tune-up anyway...

--- Denise

[yellow]

REI has a Pedros lube gun/grease combo available for $24 - so the price you saw on the Speedplay site is probably about right.

I use the Pedro's gun that Denise describes here about 2x a year in the port and then white lightning on the actual pedal surface every time I clean my bike. According to my local mechanic, about every 1000 miles is fine for putting lube in the port. And the lube can be used for other jobs-requiring-lube as well.

[pkq]

My LBS said to put a dry lube on the cleats, which is where the moving parts are. Do other LBS recommend lubing the pedal surfaces?

Not to be confusing, this isn't the same as greasing the inside of the pedal.

[bikerchick68]

As I understand it, you should be squirting grease (not lube) into the pedals to grease the bearings. Maybe there is a White Lightening grease, but all I've ever seen is the lube.

--- Denise

aaack! you're right... I thought she was referring to lubing to clip in and out more easily... I spray with white lightening for that... :)

[yellow]

My LBS said to put a dry lube on the cleats, which is where the moving parts are. Do other LBS recommend lubing the pedal surfaces?

Not to be confusing, this isn't the same as greasing the inside of the pedal.

White lightning on the pedal surface; it's a "dry" lube (once it "solidifies"). According to an unnamed but knowledgable source, he says that lubing pedal surfaces is the only thing he would actually use White Lightning for!

[cindysue]

don't forget to tighten the screws on your cleats!

I think they tend to loosen up a bit more because the speed play cleats stick out so much.

I've just been using the whitelightening lube too - will consider the other suggestions. Thanks gals!

[pkq]

I've tightened the cleat in my dominant foot ( lots of clipping in/out ) so much they can't be tightened any more. The cleat is tight and making contact but still feel slop and now the bolt pattern in the shoe, Nike carbons. Got new Specialized carbons coming, which are supposedly thicker carbon. Y'all had issues like that with Speedplays or carbon shoes?

[Jo-n-NY]

As always, thank you ladies!!!! I am at about 1500 miles on my bike so I will get that gun from Specialized and use the White Lightening on the pedals when I clean my bike. I already have that at home.

Funny, you all mention Rei and Performance stores. I don't know about the rest of NY but there aren't any of those stores here on Long Island. In fact, until this board I thought Performance was just mail order. Sorry, I just found that interesting on what we don't have in my neck of the woods.

pkq-I have not had any issues with my speedplay frogs. I am sorry I cannot help you out with your question. The shoes I use are Specialized Mtn shoes but I use them for road riding. Are the carbons coming in road or mtn?

~ JoAnn

[DeniseGoldberg]

As always, thank you ladies!!!! I am at about 1500 miles on my bike so I will get that gun from Specialized and use the White Lightening on the pedals when I clean my bike. I already have that at home.

...have not had any issues with my speedplay frogs. ~ JoAnn

JoAnn -
It sounds like you use Frogs too. Just an FYI - I have never used lube on the outside of the pedal, and I have never had a problem with clipping in or out. There are no moving parts to the cleats or pedals, so I really question the need to lube the outside of the pedal. Definitely the pedal (insides) need periodic grease though.

--- Denise

[Jo-n-NY]

Thanks Denise. Yes I do use Frogs (as I went by your recommendation when researching clippless ;) ) and love them I might add.

Anyway, you are very right. My husband just told me he did not see the need to do anything to the pedals or cleats for the reason you said, there are "no" moving parts. So when Specialize opens at 11:00 I will give them a call and order the lube gun to keep those bearings in tip top shape.

As always I thank you for you good sound advise.

~ JoAnn

[pkq]

The X series cleats do have moving parts called springs. That is the wire running the perimeter of the mating surface. It's gotta' move to clip in/out. That is what needs to be dry lubed every ride or two. That is also in the "routine x series cleat maintenance" section of the destructions.