First SPD moment

DavidR said:

No, it wasn't unclipping that caused the problem - I have been using them
without problem for over 5 years - it was clipping in.
Needless to say, people were watching on the occasion I fell over; when I
got up and tried again it slipped again. Oh! the embarrassment. Several
times it got me yesterday, dropping me rather painfully onto the saddle.

Normally it is a matter of locating the nose of the cleat, then pushing on
the pedal to lock. Even if something prevents it locking, it is difficult
to see how the nose can jump out when so much force is being applied to it.

I can't see anything wrong but wonder whether anybody might have clues
(other than chucking the offending pedal in the bin).

Have you tried changing your handlebars? ;-)

I get this from time to time. It tends to be a consequence of the cleat
mislocating and appearing to catch somewhere (Perhaps a bolt head catching
the nose of the pedal!). It might be worth checking that the cleat(s)
is(are) not excessively worn. Does it still clip in correctly from time to
time or is this a permanent failure? Have you tried clipping the other
shoe into that pedal (May be advisable to do this while not wearing them
to prevent further embarrasment!)?

Jon

DavidR said:

I can't see anything wrong but wonder whether anybody might have clues
(other than chucking the offending pedal in the bin).

Worn cleats? If you've been using the same ones for 5 years...

d.

in message <[email hidden]>, DavidR

(') said:

No, it wasn't unclipping that caused the problem - I have been using
them without problem for over 5 years - it was clipping in.
Needless to say, people were watching on the occasion I fell over; when
I got up and tried again it slipped again. Oh! the embarrassment.
Several times it got me yesterday, dropping me rather painfully onto
the saddle.

Normally it is a matter of locating the nose of the cleat, then pushing
on the pedal to lock. Even if something prevents it locking, it is
difficult to see how the nose can jump out when so much force is being
applied to it.

I can't see anything wrong but wonder whether anybody might have clues
(other than chucking the offending pedal in the bin).

Your cleats are worn out. Cleat wear is inevitable; like chains, they
have limited service life.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
; gif ye hes forget our auld plane Scottis quhilk your mother lerit you,
; in tymes cuming I sall wryte to you my mind in Latin, for I am nocht
; acquyntit with your Southeron
;; Letter frae Ninian Winyet tae John Knox datit 27t October 1563

"Jon Senior" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

DavidR wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

No, it wasn't unclipping that caused the problem - I have been using
them

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I can't see anything wrong but wonder whether anybody might have clues
(other than chucking the offending pedal in the bin).

Have you tried changing your handlebars? ;-)

Well, if I pretended to be a proper cyclist I am sure I would be able to
crash even more convincingly...

Quoted message said:

I get this from time to time.

Skidding, where it takes a couple of attempts to locate the nose is not
unusual but never been of consequence. Are any of your "time to
time" slippages of the painful variety?

Quoted message said:

It tends to be a consequence of the cleat
mislocating and appearing to catch somewhere (Perhaps a bolt head
catching
the nose of the pedal!). It might be worth checking that the cleat(s)
is(are) not excessively worn.

New cleats. Now, these cleats are standard variety whereas the ones I have
been using I now realise are multi-release. The multi-release ones lock
more easily but this isn't the issue. The new development is that the nose
can appear to locate, offer resistance but let go during the attempt to
lock. By inspection, there seems to be no obvious way it can get into limbo
between a skid or a solid connection.

Quoted message said:

Does it still clip in correctly from time to
time or is this a permanent failure?

It locks fine as long as it has located properly.

Quoted message said:

Have you tried clipping the other
shoe into that pedal (May be advisable to do this while not wearing them
to prevent further embarrasment!)?

Static testing gives few clues unfortunately. With the pedal off the bike
and shoes in hand, it manipulates normally.

DavidR said:

Static testing gives few clues unfortunately. With the pedal off the bike
and shoes in hand, it manipulates normally.

For me, if I could get the cleats in and out like that it would be a
sign that the cleat adjustment is too loose. I need a screwdriver to
prize off my cleats if they're not on the bike.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

DavidR said:

Skidding, where it takes a couple of attempts to locate the nose is not
unusual but never been of consequence. Are any of your "time to
time" slippages of the painful variety?

I have had a very painful spd-related slippage which resulted in four
stiches to my chin. This was an involuntary unclip however.

Quoted message said:

Static testing gives few clues unfortunately. With the pedal off the
bike and shoes in hand, it manipulates normally.

Hmm. It does sound like either the new cleats are in a slightly different
position on your shoes, thus changing the angles slightly, or somehow,
your technique has changed. It could be that the new cleats are different
enough, but I thought the difference was at the rear, not the front. Given
that they work off the bike, I'd definately be inclined towards slightly
different position. It could be that the "catch" you feel before they
slip is some other part of the cleat snagging the nose of the pedal. eg. a
slightly proud screw head.

Best of luck,

Jon

"Jon Senior" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 05 May 2006 23:34:05 +0100, DavidR wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Skidding, where it takes a couple of attempts to locate the nose is not
unusual but never been of consequence. Are any of your "time to
time" slippages of the painful variety?

I have had a very painful spd-related slippage which resulted in four
stiches to my chin. This was an involuntary unclip however.

Ouch...
I have had the multi-release ones let go a couple of times but not
awkwardly.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Static testing gives few clues unfortunately. With the pedal off the
bike and shoes in hand, it manipulates normally.

Hmm. It does sound like either the new cleats are in a slightly different
position on your shoes, thus changing the angles slightly, or somehow,
your technique has changed. It could be that the new cleats are different
enough, but I thought the difference was at the rear, not the front.

They are different at the front which contributes to the float when locked.

Quoted message said:

Given
that they work off the bike, I'd definately be inclined towards slightly
different position. It could be that the "catch" you feel before they
slip is some other part of the cleat snagging the nose of the pedal. eg.
a
slightly proud screw head.

Though I say the cleats are new, I have probably done about 300 miles
before the 'problem'. Maybe I need to walk around a bit more to grind them
down since the screw headss are obviously not yet usable as emergency razor
blades.