new clipless pedals - frustrated (speedplay zero)

I just got a new bike (2009 Madone 5.2 yay!), and my first pair of road shoes and pedals. I got the speedplay zeros. I tried light action first because of some hip issues, and I could clip in no problem, but I clipped out while going uphill :eek:! So, I need something with more tension to keep me clipped in. LBS said Zeros would be the way to go. So, I picked them up and had them installed. Didn't try them out at the store. I just got home and tried to clip in... miserable. I did it once, and I have no idea how. I go so frustrated I came back home and cried.

I need help. I'm trying to do the straight downward motion, but it doesn't seem to work. IT feels like part of the cleat connects, but not both. Any suggestions? I'd love to take the new bike out on a group ride tomorrow, but I can't clip in! I don't have a trainer, so I can't just stand around and try in the trainer. I tried holding on to a door frame, but I almost fell over.

For the first few weeks, Zero's are rough to get into, especially if you're light. I have to give them a big jump, and a slight wiggle if it's not working. After a while, they are very easy, and I've never accidentally unclipped. You don't need a trainer to work them in. Just do it as if you were clipping in from a standing stop.

New cleats can take some time to break in. You might try oiling the cleat a little (Like WD40) to help get it going. I have Speedplay light action and had a dickens of a time the first day. So we oiled them a little and put the bike on a trainer and I clipped in/out a bunch of times to get them just right.

There also might be a tension adjustment you can do??

well, I was practicing clipping in, and I got it finally (on the right foot at least)... Then I couldn't clip out! Hubby had to come undo my shoe and he yanked the shoe while I held the bike... This is not a good night. We're trying to figure out how to adjust the cleats now. Thank God for the Internet!

Thinking I may just use my MTB shoes/pedals on the group ride tomorrow :mad:

My :ohumble vote fwiw... trash those things and get Look Keos. They make an Elle which I have on my bike 8-12nm release tension I think. The classics and sprints are now 9-12nm for 2009. Wee bit tougher to get out than my tiny weak ankles liked. Plus, the Elles ended up matching my new ride nicely.

OK.... I tried diff pedals and the light actions and zeros both. I average about 120#s & the zeros were a freakin nightmare. That I did not end up buying. I literally stood on those things and jumped etc. Nope. Not going in. Peeps told me they would loosen w/time just as posted. I just could not see them getting to a point where I would be comfy with them. Plus, I just hated how they engaged. Don't like that stomp straight down thing at all.

I love my Keos... they rock:cool:. Oh, and btw... I pretty much felt like crying myself when the pedals were not working for me either. It was honestly THAT frustrating!

Hope you get it worked out soon.:)

EDIT ADD: And congrats on the new bike!

The secret is not to have the 4 screws tightened down too much, or else it makes it very difficult to clip in and out. Loosen the screws just a little bit and see if that makes it easier. I've been using Speedplay Zeros for several years and just put on a new pair of cleats. Tried them on the trainer and it was scary-difficult clipping in and unclipping. I could barely clip in or out. I backed off the screws just a bit and it was much easier to clip in and out. Then I clipped in and unclipped for a few minutes and they're almost perfect now.
I love my Speedplays.

I tried Speedplay Zeros a few years ago, and despite giving them several months trial, loosening the screws as much as was safe, etc. I could NOT clip into the darn things half the time with the second foot, and would often have to ride a mile with only one foot clipped in - frustrating and not efficient. Clipping out also took more effort than with other pedal systems (Speedplay X series, Eggbeaters). My DH loved his Zeros and had no difficulties.

At that time, Speedplay hadn't yet developed the Light Action pedals. I read that they were developed in response to problems people (especially light females) had with Speedplay Zeros. I never tried the LA's but did end up selling the Zeros for almost what I paid for them. I like Speedplay Frogs and Eggbeater Candies. I'd rather use mountain pedals than road pedals these days anyway, as I like walkable shoes (esp. my Keen Commuter sandals!)

I weigh 102-104 and just couldn't use Zeros. I've heard of many women with the same problem. You can give them a bit more time (my DH did confirm that for him they did loosen up a bit over time), or cut your losses, sell them on ebay, and buy yourself another type of pedal!

Good luck...

+1 with ccnyc.

If you crank down the screws on cleats onto your shoes, there is a slight chance to bind the tension/pin/spring which is exposed on the "bottom" side of the cleat. The side that mates to the shoes. And when they bind between the sole of your shoes and the cleat, its nearly impossible to release.

Sometimes the difference is only a quarter of a turn on the screw. I would also highly recommend that you use the non-permanent kind of lock tight goop thingy. I'm not a car mechanic so I don't really know what it is called. Anyway, your husband should know what it is.

Give it a try with the zero/light... with backing out the screws by quarter of a turn. At most 1/2 a turn.

I've been happy with all my speedplay pedals. And I've been using them since when they first came out. Can't afford to switch over to zero cause all my bikes have X3 speedplay and my shoes all have X3 cleats. Have no intention of spending nearly $1000 to switch over.

I really love my speedplay. Phenominal cornering clearance. Sole of the shoe is about as close to the spindle center unlike other pedal system. And they are ultra light weight (if you are a weight weenie). I also love the fact I don't have to worry about which side is up.

You guys are awesome!

I was initially going to go with Keo Pedals (look style), but according to LBS, they've had problems with the cleats fitting on shoes under size 40 properly (I have Bontrager RL Road WSD in 38.5). They suggested the speedplays.

I'll try loosening the screws and see if that works. LBS installed the cleats and I didn't test before leaving. Dumb, I know. Never again!

In the meantime, hubby has removed my spd pedals from my 'cross bike so I'll have them just in case.

Well, loosening the screws didn't work.. and I ended up tweaking both my hips :(
LBS tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Miranda

I love my Keos... they rock:cool:. Oh, and btw... I pretty much felt like crying myself when the pedals were not working for me either. It was honestly THAT frustrating!

Hope you get it worked out soon.:)

EDIT ADD: And congrats on the new bike!

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Thank you.. Now I don't feel so pathetic.

And thanks, I love the bike, just wish I could ride it! I did manage to get clipped in long enough to take her up a hill by my house... She flies.

Oh - I forgot that you should DEFINITELY put a few drops of dry lube on the cleats - a drop on each side of the exposed C-clamp.

I ride with people who use Look pedals. I always give them space, because they always swerve and look down to flip the pedals when they start. With the Speedplay, I just put my foot down, give it an extra 'umph' to clip in, and go.

I bought a pair of zeros for my wife's new bike and she had problems getting into them. My lbs said that speedplays have this problem with lighter riders. I swapped them out with my Look Keo carbons and she now has no problem getting in and out. The zeros are on my bike and seem to work fine.

Careful with the Speedplays and small shoes too - I have tiny feet.,36s, and the person I had do my cleat fitting didn't install the correct spacers. I was popping right out with hardly any pressure until I figured out that he'd set them up wrong. I tried the Light Actions, but they were way too easy - I could pull out of them unintentionally. I swapped them for Zeros and even though I'm only about 104 lbs, I haven't had any problems, especially not getting out, which seems very easy. I do have to twist, but don't have to pull up hard. Definitely do try lubing them. That helps with clipping in quite a bit. Give them a little time too. They seem to have a bit of a break in period.

Just wanted to echo what the others have said about break-in time, using dry lube, and using the proper snap-shims for your shoes to get the cleat perfectly flat on the shoe sole.

I'm ~125 lbs, and had a rough time with them initially. But, since they've broken in, I've been very happy. Everything I loved about my X-2s, but with the ability to fine-tune the float.

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

I've been happy with all my speedplay pedals. And I've been using them since when they first came out. Can't afford to switch over to zero cause all my bikes have X3 speedplay and my shoes all have X3 cleats. Have no intention of spending nearly $1000 to switch over.

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I rode Speedplay X-2s for years prior to trying Zeros and NEVER had problems clipping in (unless they got caked in mud, like on the C&O Towpath on Bike Virginia one year!) Totally different situation with the Speedplay Zeros for me. They gave me big problems clipping in, even trying all the tips mentioned on this thread. I really liked them once I got clipped in b/c the X-2s gave me more float than I needed and robbed me of some power.

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Originally Posted by Eden

Definitely do try lubing them. That helps with clipping in quite a bit. Give them a little time too. They seem to have a bit of a break in period.

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Tried lube as well.. The compounding problem is that I have a bad hip due to psoriatic arthritis. I have limited range of motion and diminished strength in one leg, and it's very easy for me to set off painful inflammation :(. After my attempts last night, I was hurting so badly I had to take a pain pill--which I HATE.

On top of clipping in. Once I finally got clipped in, my shoe got stuck! I just couldn't get out. I had to go ring the doorbell to have my hubby undo my shoe. It was hard for HIM to get the shoe loose. Getting stuck is what did me in with my hip, so there's big fear there now.

I'm going to go by LBS today and see if there's anything else we can do with the speedplays or if they can swap them out for looks. I do like how secure I felt once I clipped in, but I'm afraid of getting stuck again on the road with no one to help me get out.

My first pair of clipless were Speedplay Zeros. They were given to me. I fell sooooo many times because I would come to a stop and still be yanking my feet trying desperatly to get my foot unclipped. My DH had to come over and yank my foot apart from the pedal. I switched to Looks and I love them. Easy in, easy out. The only bad thing is that I have to look down when I go to clip my foot in but after that they are great.

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Originally Posted by lo123

Tried lube as well.. The compounding problem is that I have a bad hip due to psoriatic arthritis. I have limited range of motion and diminished strength in one leg, and it's very easy for me to set off painful inflammation :(. After my attempts last night, I was hurting so badly I had to take a pain pill--which I HATE.

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I sure do understand your frustration and fear too. It definitely shouldn't hurt to clip in or out! If you aren't married to road pedals yet, you might want to take a look at Speedplay Frogs. The extra float may feel good to your hip, and they're uncommonly easy to get clipped into and out of, yet, unless your foot wanders all over the place, you shouldn't clip out accidentally. I found Frogs to be the easiest pedals I've ever had to get used to, and I know there are a lot of happy Frog users here, both roadies and mtb'ers. They are mountain pedals but there are plenty of shoes made for recessed cleats that look roadie like (yet are more walkable than road shoes with exterior cleats).

Good luck!

I"m not sure how the zero's release but with the X's it is a simple twist, or turning of the heel, and you pop right out. Yanking on them to release doesn't sound right to me.

I have a small foot too and the X's are so easy to release that I was able to use them on my trainer with a torn ACL and MCL. It didn't take long to begin using them again on the trainer after ACL surgery.

I do agree with others that the screws can be too tight and there are different shims for the brand of shoe your are wearing. It's easy to get dirt in the cleat so I immediately but my covers on my cleats before I walk. It helps to protect the cleat and keep dirt out. Release will be more difficult with dirt in them.

I have the Frogs on my mtn bike and find if I riding at a good clip, on the road, I have inadvertently released my foot.

Hope you find out what's wrong.

lo123... did you put your cleats on or have the shop do it?

I ask because once (early on when I first got my speedplay X's) I put my cleats on the shoes.

I got stuck, much as you describe... it took me removing my foot from the shoe, getting off the bike and then wrenching the shoe off of the pedal.

Turns out I'd installed the cleats on my shoes backwards (they don't call me spazz fer nuthin :))

Good luck!

spazz

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Originally Posted by lo123

I was initially going to go with Keo Pedals (look style), but according to LBS, they've had problems with the cleats fitting on shoes under size 40 properly (I have Bontrager RL Road WSD in 38.5)

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Yea... the Keos do have make a wide platform. That was my draw to them. I had some numb foot issues and part of it was due to the small surface of the mtb pedals I had on my roadie girl. I went w/the stiffest shoe I couldbuy that fit my weird foot shap + the widest platform that I could clip outta.

Did the lbs try a cleat on your shoe? I went and measured my Keo cleat and I think I get 63mm wide and 65mm long, fwiw.

Not feeling confident you can get out when you want to can be really bad. With some other pedals, I feel over clipped in at stop sign into a ditch w/a car approaching on my left. Had I fallen to the left... the lady would have ran me over. Thus, why I really wanted to make sure I could get out from day 1 of install.

I was not sure about the "kick it over" thing either of ss pedals. My mtb were ds spds. But, they hang weighted. After a while, you can almost feel when you put your foot down (without looking) if the pedal is on the correct side. At times I have given it a good kick/flip w/o looking (like in group rides)... and got in. And I've gotten pretty good at pedaling one legged not clipped in too--not all a bad thing. Good Luck!

SO...
Went back to LBS. They had installed the cleats and pedals.
Well, turns out that Bontrager shoes under size 40 or so don't like clipless pedals. Apparently even the manufacturer knows this (so the LBS guy says--though they haven't shared this with everyone in the store), they haven't fixed it. GRRRR.

So, I got a refund on the shoes. I rode tonight with my SPD MTB shoes. MISERABLE. The fit was off because my shoes and pedals were different from the original. I hurt my hips, back and knees. Let's just say it's been a bad week.

I'm currently shopping online for a carbon road shoe that's not a Bontrager. Thinking Sidi or Northwave. Once I get new shoes, I'll try again and see how it goes. Until then, I'm taking a break. Let my body recuperate. Do some swimming or something. Just not riding the bike until I get things straightened out.

I've had good luck (and lots of comfort) with Shimano WR60 shoes. They work well with my Speedplay X1s, have CF soles and are very comfortable (I wear size 38). Only 'downside' is that the internal pad is your basic flat sheet of material so I bought cycling insoles (Specialized BG footbeds). They are a little wider than my SIDI Zephyrs in the toe box, feel plenty stiff and are well made. I think the upper end Shimano shoes are way underrated and they are a great buy. My new Zephyrs are gathering dust...

I love my SIDI Genius shoes... not sure what year/model I have.

I have little feet AND a full size difference btn them. The shoe has great adjustment flexibility. AND they work with speedplay :D

spazz

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone and give a final update.

I went and bought a pair of Sidi road shoes (on sale!). Not the style I'm really wanting, but they'll do for now. I gave the speedplays another try yesterday, and no matter what I do, it hurts my hips to clip in/out.

So, I borrowed some Keo pedals/cleats from a friend, and voila, it's easy and painless! So I've ordered a pair of Keo pedals of my own.

Lesson learned: it shouldn't be ridiculously painful and/or difficult to get in/out of clipless pedals.:cool:

Good job! Enjoy your new pedals and newfound knowledge! :D

This thread is living proof of why there are so many different brands and styles of clipless pedals!! Everyone has something they love and really works for them, but not necessarily for the next person.

I'm so glad you found a way to ride clipless. You will love it once you get used to it. Hope your body heals soon!

ok, now you girls have me a little concerned about purchasing the speedplay pedals. I was going to get rid of my look keo's because I have a hard time clipping back into them after coming stopping at a light. I have to look down and can only clip in on one side. So, I usually ride with my right foot for some time until I can manage to clip in again. My boyfriend uses speedplay and he loves them. He races of course and I just began to get into cycling about 3 weeks ago. I wear sidi's, size 38 and weigh about 110-112. Any recomendations?

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Originally Posted by lo123

I was initially going to go with Keo Pedals (look style), but according to LBS, they've had problems with the cleats fitting on shoes under size 40 properly (I have Bontrager RL Road WSD in 38.5). They suggested the speedplays.

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Huh.

I wear size 38 Sidi Genius and don't have a problem.

And I've used Looks forever and a day when the pedal and cleat were larger.

skyler, you have the tension adjusted as loosely as possible on the problem foot? If you only began cycling 3 weeks ago and you're this far along with clipless pedals, give yourself a break. It takes practice to make it a habit to clip in easily on both sides without looking.

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Originally Posted by skyler

ok, now you girls have me a little concerned about purchasing the speedplay pedals. I was going to get rid of my look keo's because I have a hard time clipping back into them after coming stopping at a light. I have to look down and can only clip in on one side. So, I usually ride with my right foot for some time until I can manage to clip in again. My boyfriend uses speedplay and he loves them. He races of course and I just began to get into cycling about 3 weeks ago. I wear sidi's, size 38 and weigh about 110-112. Any recomendations?

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Skyler, there's absolutely no reason to be nervous at all about Speedplay X series, Frogs, or Light Actions. I would not recommend Speedplay Zero for the reasons stated in this (and other) thread(s). I am also a lightweight gal and was one of the ones who just couldn't use Zeros. I gave them a couple of months, but no matter what I did, I just had too many problems clipping in, and even clipping out was challenging. And I was no novice to clipless, having used X-2s since the 1990s successfully!

Just be aware that there are many different models of Speedplay, and only the Zeros seem to give some of us smaller ladies troubles clipping in and out.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Skyler, there's absolutely no reason to be nervous at all about Speedplay X series, Frogs, or Light Actions. I would not recommend Speedplay Zero for the reasons stated in this (and other) thread(s). I am also a lightweight gal and was one of the ones who just couldn't use Zeros. I gave them a couple of months, but no matter what I did, I just had too many problems clipping in, and even clipping out was challenging. And I was no novice to clipless, having used X-2s since the 1990s successfully!

Just be aware that there are many different models of Speedplay, and only the Zeros seem to give some of us smaller ladies troubles clipping in and out.

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And keep in mind, I have joint problems that made the speedplays near impossible for me to use.

As to the small shoe issue, a different LBS said that was BS. So, yeah. Not going back to that store.

I'm happy using Look Keos now. It's a little bit of a pain to clip in from time to time, but I like them.

Thanks Emily and lo! I think I am going to go ahead and purchase the light action pedals! I will let you know how they work out for me!

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Originally Posted by skyler

Thanks Emily and lo! I think I am going to go ahead and purchase the light action pedals! I will let you know how they work out for me!

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Yes, please do! I suspect you'll be just fine with them! :)