Shimano SPD-SLs...overly tight on loosest tension

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08-07-2011, 05:52 PM
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Shimano SPD-SLs...overly tight on loosest tension

Is it just me? I just got a pair within the past week and am having a b!tch of a time unclipping. If I had to suddenly unclip to avoid a dog or something I'd be SOL. By the end of today's century when my legs were tiring I was REALLY struggling. 90 miles or so in I toppled-over trying to unclip as we were preparing to stop. It really ticked me off. I've ridden >6k miles on clipless pedals in 2 years and this was the first time I simply could not unclip.

It's bumming me out, since I LOVE road shoes and pedals. The actual riding part on road pedals is SO much comfier than my 2-bolt mtn. SPDs...but today I actually started having second thoughts about my pedal choice. *sigh*

Will these ever loosen...perhaps as they wear-in a little? Or am I destined to go through this every time I have new cleats?
08-07-2011, 07:21 PM
RubyTuesday

I also have Shimano SPD's and they are pretty tight on the factory (loose) settings. I have noticed that mine are getting a bit less tight with use, but I still have to give a pretty good heel kick to get them out. Mine are about three weeks old. I hope mine loosen a bit. I have bit it once and if I ever had an emergency, I would be SOL also.
08-09-2011, 04:29 PM
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Well tonite was MUCH better. Yesterday I sprayed a light lubricant (similar to WD-40) around the mechanical areas of the pedals and it made a HUGE difference. Now it takes about half the force to release from the grip of the pedals that it took on Sunday. Phew!
08-09-2011, 05:08 PM
pll

<what is "SOL"?>
08-09-2011, 05:52 PM
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Quote:

Originally Posted by pll

<what is "SOL"?>

Sh!t outta luck. I think it's an old military jargon thing. My dad uses that phrase all the time (former Army draftee during Vietnam).
08-09-2011, 05:56 PM
pll

Thanks!
08-09-2011, 08:31 PM
Grog

My husband rides those and he loves them. I was miserable with them for two years, used many pairs from the lower model to Ultegra, and eventually gave up on them. I observed that tension was very inconsistent, quite tough to unclip even at the loosest setting, and absolutely terrible (not to say dangerous) when wet and/or dirty.

My husband *never* had any issues with his.

I thought it maybe had to do with quality control. But I'm glad I returned to mountain SPDs with very stiff shoes (Sidi Dominators).
08-10-2011, 02:13 AM
Catrin

Before movig to Frogs I had this problem with three different types of SPD Mountain pedals on my Gunnar. Thankfully was working with the LBS so was able to return them. They tried everything they could but still couldn't get them light enough for me. Love my Frogs :)
08-10-2011, 06:11 AM
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Muirenn

Just curious, did you get the cleats with 6 degrees of float? Or the regular kind? I've had both, and it makes a huge difference.

Are the one with float easier to release? I have the yellow ones with float.