speedplay x-pedal hard to clip/unclip



Y

yum

Guest
I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.
The additional float is very nice, but I found it very hard to clip into and
unclipping is also tricky.
In order to clip, I need to aply a.lot of pressure. Not a problem on a
trainer, but I'm not sure I can do the same on road. Unclipping is also
tricky. Sometimes, it unclips easily, but usually I have hard time getting
unclipped.
Is there some kind of tension adjustment ? Or do I need to lublicate ?
It is a brand new pedals/cleats. Or may be some tricks? Thanks.
 
"yum" <[email protected]> writes:

> I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.
> The additional float is very nice, but I found it very hard to clip into and
> unclipping is also tricky.


You might have overtightened the cleat fastening screws. Clipping
in and out can be hard if they're too tight.

--
Michael Fuhr
http://www.fuhr.org/~mfuhr/
 
Try putting white lightning on the cleats. You should always keep them
greased.
This will help with clip in and out.

yum wrote:
> I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.
> The additional float is very nice, but I found it very hard to clip

into and
> unclipping is also tricky.
> In order to clip, I need to aply a.lot of pressure. Not a problem

on a
> trainer, but I'm not sure I can do the same on road. Unclipping is

also
> tricky. Sometimes, it unclips easily, but usually I have hard time

getting
> unclipped.
> Is there some kind of tension adjustment ? Or do I need to

lublicate ?
> It is a brand new pedals/cleats. Or may be some tricks? Thanks.
 
>The additional float is very nice, but I found it very hard to clip into and
>unclipping is also tricky.
>In order to clip, I need to aply a.lot of pressure.


I too bought a new Speedplay and had a hard time clipping and out until I
tried White Lightening. That did the trick. But one other issue. I had SIDI
shoes and the Speedplay kit includes two types of screws for the cleats: flat
top phillips head and the round type. For SIDI it is specifically recommended
to use the flat top. So the bike shop used the wrong screws and that made the
clipping action difficult. Consequently on my new bike, I fell off because I
couldn't get the shoe off before my stop.
 
yum-<< I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.
The additional float is very nice, but I found it very hard to clip into and
unclipping is also tricky. >><BR><BR>

Installed correctly with the proper shims for the cleat?

Lube the cleat/pdeal and practice.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"
 
>I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.
> The additional float is very nice, but I found it very hard to clip into
> and
> unclipping is also tricky.
> In order to clip, I need to aply a.lot of pressure. Not a problem on a
> trainer, but I'm not sure I can do the same on road. Unclipping is also
> tricky. Sometimes, it unclips easily, but usually I have hard time
> getting
> unclipped.
> Is there some kind of tension adjustment ? Or do I need to lublicate ?
> It is a brand new pedals/cleats. Or may be some tricks? Thanks.


What type of shoe are you using? Were the cleats installed by a shop that's
familiar with Speedplays? Installation can definitely be an issue, as the
cleat has to be 100% totally flat; any distortion (caused by the shims not
matching up nicely to the shoe) can cause entry & exit problems (but mostly
it shows up as difficulty getting in).

And yes, as others have mentioned, lubrication is a requirement. White
Lightning is the recommended lube, but others work fine too (they just tend
to be a bit messier). Also, note that Speedplays are *very* sensitive to
dirt & grit, so you don't want to walk around in them much.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
 
Thank you all for good suggestions.
My shoe is Addidus Frosco Time that has carbon flat sole with 4 holes.
I bought a special shim from Speedplay that to protect carbon. Basically
pedal is installed directly with this very thin special shim. When I
installed them, I tried to be careful not to over tighten.
I'll try lubrication. I'll need to buy white lightening lube.
One thing I found is that it is much easier to unclip when the pedal is at
the bottom, but almost impossible when it is at the top position. So, it
seems to be that there is some other motion besides twist is required to
unclip.
 
yum wrote:
> Thank you all for good suggestions.
> My shoe is Addidus Frosco Time that has carbon flat sole with 4 holes.
> I bought a special shim from Speedplay that to protect carbon.
> Basically pedal is installed directly with this very thin special
> shim. When I installed them, I tried to be careful not to over
> tighten.
> I'll try lubrication. I'll need to buy white lightening lube.
> One thing I found is that it is much easier to unclip when the pedal
> is at the bottom, but almost impossible when it is at the top
> position. So, it seems to be that there is some other motion
> besides twist is required to unclip.


It is difficult to get the needed ankle twist to un-clip when your foot is
at the top of the stroke. Typically I un-clip at the bottom of the stroke.
 
yum wrote:

> Thank you all for good suggestions.
> My shoe is Addidus Frosco Time that has carbon flat sole with 4 holes.
> I bought a special shim from Speedplay that to protect carbon. Basically
> pedal is installed directly with this very thin special shim. When I
> installed them, I tried to be careful not to over tighten.
> I'll try lubrication. I'll need to buy white lightening lube.
> One thing I found is that it is much easier to unclip when the pedal is at
> the bottom, but almost impossible when it is at the top position. So, it
> seems to be that there is some other motion besides twist is required to
> unclip.


Speedplay says to twist while pulling up.


Larry Coon
University of California
 
"yum" wrote
>I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.

......
Sometimes, it unclips easily, but usually I have hard time getting
> unclipped.
> Is there some kind of tension adjustment ? Or do I need to lublicate ?
> It is a brand new pedals/cleats. Or may be some tricks? Thanks.
>
>


Dear Yum. I have seen people who put the cleats on the wrong pedals. It
would be pretty easy mix up the cleats, left for right. This puts the
release motion intended for the left foot on the right shoe and vice versa
becauses the release motion intended for the left foot is now in place on
the right pedal etc. When this happens you have to clip out by moving your
heal in not out, this makes it really hard to get out of Speedplays without
breaking something (bike and/or body)

Just a thought

Dave
 
"Dave Reckoning" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:kSJDd.575$jS.427@attbi_s03...
> "yum" wrote
> >I have switched from spd pedal to speedplay x-5.

> .....
> Sometimes, it unclips easily, but usually I have hard time getting
> > unclipped.
> > Is there some kind of tension adjustment ? Or do I need to lublicate ?
> > It is a brand new pedals/cleats. Or may be some tricks? Thanks.
> >
> >

>
> Dear Yum. I have seen people who put the cleats on the wrong pedals. It
> would be pretty easy mix up the cleats, left for right. This puts the
> release motion intended for the left foot on the right shoe and vice versa
> becauses the release motion intended for the left foot is now in place on
> the right pedal etc. When this happens you have to clip out by moving your
> heal in not out, this makes it really hard to get out of Speedplays

without
> breaking something (bike and/or body)
>
> Just a thought
>
> Dave
>

Dave,
Actually, I almost made that mistake. Luckly, I noticed my mistake just
after
installing one of cleats. It is a good point though.
 
>One thing I found is that it is much easier to unclip when the pedal is at
>the bottom, but almost impossible when it is at the top position. So, it
>seems to be that there is some other motion besides twist is required to
>unclip.
>
>


Yes, that's my experience as well. I snap out of the shoe when the crank arm
is at the bottom, 6 o'clock position.
 
"Jee Doy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >One thing I found is that it is much easier to unclip when the pedal is

at
> >the bottom, but almost impossible when it is at the top position. So,

it
> >seems to be that there is some other motion besides twist is required to
> >unclip.
> >
> >

>
> Yes, that's my experience as well. I snap out of the shoe when the crank

arm
> is at the bottom, 6 o'clock position.


Sounds like that is normal. As Larry said, it probably needs upward
motion as well. I feel better. Thanks.