I recently purchased a pair of Ritchey pedals for my road bike. I understand that they use SPD-R style cleats. These are my first set of clipless pedals and I'm struggling with unclipping from the pedals. I get my heel turned out to the side and the shoe gets stuck in that position instead of fully freeing itself from the pedal. Once in this position, I have to use a lot of force to wrench the shoe free from the pedal.
I have had some success getting the pedals to easily release, but no consistency. When the jam occurs, I'm really stuck and if I were on the road, I would have to fall to the side to stop. Fortunately, I'm on my trainer when this newbie testing is occuring. Otherwise I imagine that they 'd be scraping me from the road right now.
I suspect that I don't have the cleats properly aligned and this is the reason for my problems. Does anyone have any tips on how to properly set the cleats?
I suspect that I don't have the cleats properly aligned and this is the reason for my problems. Does anyone have any tips on how to properly set the cleats? [/QUOTE
Have you tried adjusting the spring tension screw on the pedal itself? This sounds more likely an issue, unless the cleat is too flush with the shoe sole (but you would likely have much difficulty getting into the pedal id that were the case. Be careful if you reduce the tension much as pulling loose during hard pedaling can ruin your day as well!!
I suspect that I don't have the cleats properly aligned and this is the reason for my problems. Does anyone have any tips on how to properly set the cleats? [/QUOTE
Have you tried adjusting the spring tension screw on the pedal itself? This sounds more likely an issue, unless the cleat is too flush with the shoe sole (but you would likely have much difficulty getting into the pedal id that were the case. Be careful if you reduce the tension much as pulling loose during hard pedaling can ruin your day as well!! [/B]
The tension is at the lowest possible adjustment. (I should have originally noted this in my original post)
DO NOT pull up, at all. just rotate your heel laterally around the pivot of the ball of your foot. the mechanics of the cleat/pedal interface (an inclined plane) do the work, not your calf muscles. The cleat/pedal i/f is design to STAY engaged on the upstroke, and to disengage on lateral rotation.
Originally posted by Eidetic DO NOT pull up, at all. just rotate your heel laterally around the pivot of the ball of your foot. the mechanics of the cleat/pedal interface (an inclined plane) do the work, not your calf muscles. The cleat/pedal i/f is design to STAY engaged on the upstroke, and to disengage on lateral rotation.
Thanks for the tip. I've been practicing in my trainer and have managed to dieengage smoothly 9 of 10 times. You are right about the "do not pull". That made the big difference. Hopefully I'll keep this in mind when I hit the road. I'm sure that if I forget, I'll hit the road. Stay tuned for my next thread, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"
Thanks for your tolerance of a newbie's learning experience.
glad to help. no doubt initially you will have moments of panic as you come to a stop ... if you can't disengage, you are pulling up in panic. collect yourself and rotate your heel out, like you were spinning on a dime.
you will soon have more trouble trying to quickly engage the cleats than disengage the cleats. for engaging, even the Lance has occasional probs. it's actually a dangerous period ... it's easy to forget about traffic and pedestrians when you're trying to get the damn cleats seated.
