Grrr...2nd bloodied knee courtesy of SPD-SL pedals!

[westtexas]

I've only ever ridden on SPD-SLs. I love mine. I've never had a single problem with them. Of course, I have no experience with anything else, but I've never been in a situation where I couldn't get unclipped when I wanted to. I love my 105 pedals.

I just thought I would put it out there that there are some of us who like them...

[Caddy]

I highly recommend Look if you're searching for another pedal brand. Never had a problem unclipping with mine. I've used both 0 and 4 degree floats.

[zoom-zoom]

I've only ever ridden on SPD-SLs. I love mine. I've never had a single problem with them. Of course, I have no experience with anything else, but I've never been in a situation where I couldn't get unclipped when I wanted to. I love my 105 pedals.

I just thought I would put it out there that there are some of us who like them...

I almost wonder if there could have been a bad batch. A friend of ours got the exact same 105 pedals within a week of me and is also having issues with hers.

Looks like I can still return mine. I looked on Amazon and they are eligible for return until 9/5, so as soon as I have new pedals (DH will be down at our LBS on Friday and is going to pick up Look Keo Classics for me) they will be going back.

[Seajay]

Sprry you are getting so beat up. Are you keeping your heel down as you twist out? Are you releasing at the bottom of the pedal stroke? SPDSLs are a little-little bit tougher to get out of than Looks....But not THAT much. KEOs should be easy in and out.
If they have time ... we put our Clipless pedal clients on a trainer and have them get used to the motion before going on the road. Next we advise they take a ride in the grass park and get the hang of it. We rarely have customers with your experience.
Hope it works out.

[zoom-zoom]

Sprry you are getting so beat up. Are you keeping your heel down as you twist out? Are you releasing at the bottom of the pedal stroke? SPDSLs are a little-little bit tougher to get out of than Looks....But not THAT much. KEOs should be easy in and out.
If they have time ... we put our Clipless pedal clients on a trainer and have them get used to the motion before going on the road. Next we advise they take a ride in the grass park and get the hang of it. We rarely have customers with your experience.
Hope it works out.

I know the motion...I'd logged at least 6k miles with mtn SPDs prior to going to dedicated road shoes and pedals. Which is part of what has me so POd by all of this. 6000 miles with 2 minor falls (not from unclipping difficulties, but from space-cadet noob issues) vs. 2 harder falls in the course of maybe 250 miles.

[Seajay]

Well, you're wise to bail on them and try something else. I've had excellent luck with Look for years and years...Hopefully you will too.

[zoom-zoom]

Well, you're wise to bail on them and try something else. I've had excellent luck with Look for years and years...Hopefully you will too.

My hubby really likes his Keo Classics (has them on 2 bikes), so he was perplexed by all the difficulties I've had with my 105s, until he compared the torque necessary to release on the loosest tension and with added chain lube. He really had to work to get them to unclip. With his bike he was able to clip his shoe in and out with his hand with minimal effort and the float was loose. The "float" on my pedals is not at all loose and feels sticky.

[Biciclista]

they do sound defective. send them back!

[nscrbug]

I'm sorry you're having such trouble with the 105's...it is rather surprising to hear of such issues. I don't want to sway your decision, but...I used to have the TIME RXL Carbon pedals on a previous bike that I sold. They were fine at the beginning, but roughly a year later they got to the point where they were extremely difficult to unclip. So much so, that I sold them with the bike just to get rid of them. And yes, the TIME RXL cleats do wear quickly...much quicker than my SPD-SL cleats. Just some food for thought.

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd give the LOOK pedals a try.

[grey]

I have the same pedals. Thankfully no issues yet, they've been just fine. However, after reading this thread, if I ever do have trouble I think I'll switch to Look, everyone here seems to like them! Sorry about your poor knee. I hate road rash.