speedplay problems

[adkoch]

Today was the third time I've had my bike out on the road and I am still having trouble getting clipped in on my left side. (I had/have no problems with it when it's on the trainer.) My left foot is the one I always clip out of first and brace on the ground. I'm thinking it's just too hard to get in to. Is there a way to adjust that setting, like how you can with SPDs? If I have to take it back to the LBS, I will, but I was hoping to do it myself... thanks in advance!

~Angie

[melissam]

Angie,

How's it going with the speedplays? Did you end up checking with your LBS?

What kind of Speedplays do you have? Zero? X? Frogs?

According to the Speedplay web site, the spring tension isn't adjustable (at least for the x-series pedals).

Since you're not having problems engaging while on the trainer, I'm guessing that the fastening screws on the cleats are not overtightened.

If you have the Frog pedals, here's what might be happening (from the Frog FAQ on the Speedplay site):

Q: I just installed my new frog pedals and cleats, and I am having difficulty getting in. What should I do?

A: Make sure you are not using a “kicking” motion when engaging the pedals. Merely place your foot on the pedal and then nudge your foot forward. Also, make sure the cleats have not been installed upside down on the shoe sole.

Hope this helps!

-- Melissa

[adkoch]

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the response! I have ridden the bike a couple more times and am still facing the same issue. I haven't taken it in yet, though - I'm just dreading the hassle. I have the X2 version, for road bikes. Well... I know that I'm not kicking, as I had SPD pedals before and I'm trying to click in by pressing straight down, like with them. However, that's not to say I haven't tried every movement I could think of, including kicking!!! When I take it in, I will definitely suggest you finding about the upside-down cleat from your research! Thanks so much!

~Angie

[MightyMitre]

Hi Adkoch

I've been using Speedplays for over a year and like you,I sometimes have problems clipping in my starting foot, when I'm stationary. When I'm riding along I've never had a problem clipping in, just when I'm stationary.

One thing I did when I first got them was to put some black sticky tape on my shoes, on the toes/side of foot, level with where the gap on the cleet is. This helped a lot so I could line up the tape with the pedal and clip in really easily.

Otherwise, just make sure you keep pedals & cleets nice and clean . This helps a lot.

I switched to Speedplays after having Looks which I hated because I had such problems getting out of them, and now I love speedplays so much there's no way I'd switch back to any other pedals so I'm quite prepared to put up with the odd bit of difficulty getting in now and again.

Hope this helps.

[Kathi]

Do you keep the cleats and pedals lubed? I use a dry lube like White Lightening. Also, check the screws on the cleats, if they are too tight the spring won't engage properly and it's very difficult to clip in or out. The directions recommend the proper tightness of the screws.
Another problem to watch out for is mud. If any dirt gets in the space between the spring and the edge of the cleat it will be very difficult to click in and out.
Hope this helps,
Kathi

[adkoch]

Thanks, Kathi! I just recently went to apply the lube when I noticed much dried mud wedged at the top of both cleats. Cleared it out, lubed em up and voila - fixed! And only after 100 miles! Sometimes I really do think I need the brick against the head!

By the way, is White Lightning really considered a dry lube? I know it says wax lube on the bottle. Are wax and dry interchangable terms? Just wondering...

~Angie

[Kathi]

Angie,
Glad I could help but don't feel bad, it took me a while to discover this problem. I went on a local ride that was routed on a part of a trail that was under construction. The dirt would have been ok but it rained the morning of the ride. I had to walk through the muck, didn't have cleat covers and spent the rest of the ride trying to clean the mud out of my cleats with sticks and my car keys. Two months later I was still having problems. I got so frustrated that I sat in the sun and looked carefully at my cleats. That's when I discovered the mud still caked in that space above the spring. A good cleaning solved the problem. I always make sure my covers are in my bike bag, just in case.
Kathi