Frog cleats

[Crankin]

OK, I am about to give up.
I've had major issues with unclipping unintentionally on my Guru since the day I got it. No, let me re-phrase that. I've had trouble with unclipping unintentionally with my Speedplay Frogs since I've had them. I had the pedals on my Kuota, too, to get used to them.
Moved my cleats around. This happens even more on my PI cycling boots than my Shimano shoes. It happens more on my left foot, which is the foot I unclip with. I've researched this a bit on the net and it definitely seems to be an issue with the new generation Frogs. But, the end thought on this is that it is happening because you are not really clipped in right.
I have never had issues with pedals, unclipping, etc. I have always used Speedplay Xs on my road bike, with the exception of when I first started with spds. I find that you can barely tell if you are clipped in to the Frogs, as there's no "clicking" sound. There's a motion that I can feel when I clip the first foot (right) that makes it feel secure, but since I am clipping in with the left as I get going, maybe I am not really in?
Last week I did a short ride to lunch, to make my mileage goal. As I was leaving, I got to a busy T intersection and was sort of hesitating as to unclip and stop, or just go, because the traffic was kind of light. As I was deciding my right foot came flying out of the pedal. Since I have no muscle memory for leaning right, I thought I was going to crash, with a car coming up behind me. Fortunately, I unclipped left, and sort of jumped off of the saddle.
I can't figure out why my right foot came out. I feel like the whole time I ride, I am feeling like I am waiting for my feet to come out of the pedals. I read of some serious crashes/injuries because of this.
I hate to have to switch to spds for this bike. My knees hate the restricted float. I want to stick to mountain pedals on this bike, because it's going to be used for vacations, etc.

[Catrin]

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with unintentional unclipping with your Frogs. I have them on my Gunnar and I really like them, and I've never had a problem like you describe. However, I know that my LBS had them in stock for a quite a long time as I seem to be the only person interested in them for at least several years. The fitter dislikes them so he actively steers people away from them and now they no longer carry them.

I wonder if I have an older version? I can tell when my left foot clips into the pedal - though it is less pronounced than the right foot (I clip in AND out with my right). Once I've clipped in with my left foot I always pull up a bit with the pedal to make certain I've clipped in. I do know that there has been a couple of times when I thought I had clipped in with my left but I either hadn't or it wasn't complete - which is why I do a "test" pull on the pedal to double-check.

I hope that helps a bit - I hear you on not wanting to return to SPD pedals, they just kill the knees, well, mine they do. I also know some women who love Time pedals for mtb use, though I've also heard they can be quite the challenge to work with.

[Crankin]

Yes, I do that test pull on the right before I get started, but I still haven't figured out how to safely do this on the left, as I am alternately, going up/down the hill on my driveway and trying to clip in. I am going to do some testing today, in the driveway, with the left foot as I am standing still.
Yes, these pedals have a bad rep with mountain bikers, as they clog up with mud. So, I understand why a shop doesn't carry them.

[Catrin]

Hopefully you can find an effective test. I am on the flat when I start so that is less complicating. I do know mountain bikers who love these pedals, so I guess that it is relative. The reason why my fitter doesn't care for them is I guess he had clients who had too many problems clipping into them.

He has strongly recommended against Time and Candy pedals for me - in his experience petite people have more problems with those pedals they are not adjustable. With my foot/ankle issues I am listening to him, though I might experiment with Time when I become stronger.

[cosc]

My sidi dominators soles work great with my frog cleats, but I have found other bike shoes soles seem to kick the cleat out. I have cut the soles' lugs down a bit around the cleat and that does seem to help. Some of my bike shoes I've given up on wearing for fear of coming unclipped.

Older cleats will unclip too soon so I have to replace mine more often than I'd like. It sounds like yours haven't had much wear so that probably isn't your problem.

I hope you can get it figured out. The spds don't like my knees either.

[DebW]

I second the suggestion that as soon as you clip in, on the next pedal turn, pull back on the pedal and make sure that your cleat is actually engaged. My Frogs generally produce an audible click when I'm in, but not always, and if I don't hear the click I get nervous and give them that backward pull to be sure. Also (and you probably know this), the cleats engage much easier if you turn your heal out as you push into the pedal. The other thing you could try is backing off on the cleat adjustment screw 1/2 turn. It takes a very small allen wrench, and the screw is lock-tighted in, so either heat it or use a long-handled allen wrench.

[Jo-n-NY]

I have had my frogs since 2005 in Specialized mtn shoes. I have never had a problem.

Just chiming in with my experience with the Frogs.

[withm]

I switched from Speedplay Xs (road shoes) to Frogs many years ago and I have Frogs on all 3 of my current bikes, plus one that I sold. Only once did I have a problem - one of the screws holding the cleat had vibrated loose, and had backed out just enough to inhibit clipping in to that pedal. Once I figured it out, I went and checked all my shoes, and tightened up all the cleats - a couple were a little loose! I'd check the shoes, cleats and make sure there isn't a tiny pebble or piece of debris lodged in the cleat.

I love my Frogs.

Now in the matter of the SPDs I have on my spinning shoes - all I can say is that if I was using them on my road bikes, I'd have broken hips, arms, elbows, and collarbones by now. I simply am not able to clip out easily with those. I'm still trying to get disengaged from the bike while the rest of the class has moved on to the stretches. Some of the bikes are easier than others, but still, it should not be this hard. Even after 30+ classes I still have trouble. Sheesh! Any ideas?

[Crankin]

OK. I also have a feeling it's the cleat with the shoes, in that the issue is worse in my winter cycling shoes.
Going out to ride soon. I don't really want to ride that bike, but I might play with the pedals a bit before I go.