Float

Jen J

OK, bear with me please, I am tired and my brain is not working.

If I'm finding it very difficult to unclip my new speedplays, do I want more float or less float? I thought in theory by moving the screws out to give it more float that would work, but now I'm thinking that will make it more difficult?

In practice I'm stuggling a bit either way.

:oops:

always_tyred

RTFM?

.... sorry, wrong thread.....

gtvlusso

Only use SPD and SPD-SL, I am afraid....there is a screw which changes the tension on those - + and - indicate tension!

always_tyred

From the speedplay website:

Jen J

Thanks AT - I was tired and my head wasn't working earlier (long day...) and I couldn't get my head around if increasing the release angle would mean it released at more angles (easier) or needed more of an angle to release (harder).

That sentence really doesn't make sense, but I know what I mean... :oops:

Anyway, have changed it to no float, and it certainly seems to be easier to unclip that way. Still having trouble clipping in, especially on the left. I'm needing to stand and put my whole weight on the pedal, and on the left that still doesn't always work, and because the cleats are so smooth, I'm slipping around a bit.

Of course all this has been on the safety of the TT. Will discover how easy/difficult it is in real life this weekend :?

always_tyred

You'll get used to them. You are still pretty used to cycling generally so its a steep learning curve.

As for having putty brain..... my sympathies. Mine is play dough.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Not sure how Speedplays work (even though I have an unused pair of Zeros lurking in a cupboard somewhere - impulse buy).

Buuuutt... float is the degree to which your foot can move whilst still clipped in, to allow your knees to find their own natural position over the pedals.

The ease with which you unclip in principle, at least, should be governed by the spring tension in the pedal. So lots of float + hard unclip or no float + easy unclip should be possible.

Is there not a separate adjustment on the speedplays to vary the clip/unclip tension?

Jen J

Greg66 wrote:

Not sure how Speedplays work (even though I have an unused pair of Zeros lurking in a cupboard somewhere - impulse buy).

Buuuutt... float is the degree to which your foot can move whilst still clipped in, to allow your knees to find their own natural position over the pedals.

The ease with which you unclip in principle, at least, should be governed by the spring tension in the pedal. So lots of float + hard unclip or no float + easy unclip should be possible.

Is there not a separate adjustment on the speedplays to vary the clip/unclip tension?

I just couldn't get my head around it last night!

But yes, you can adjust both the heel in and heel out float on the zeros. Reading throught the (numerous) warning papers in the box this morning, I've seen it does say that they are particularly stiff at first, so I'll stick to the fixed float for now and maybe change it once they've worn in a bit and I've got used to them.

il_principe

I'd encourage freeing up the float a bit Jen, this is the main USP of the Speedplay system IMO. I have a lot of float and have no issues unclipping at all. They will take a few uses to wear in though.

sazzledazzle

How spooky. :shock:
I was about to post this exact question after fitting some Keo Sprint pedals on Monday and not being able to get out of them, so thanks Jen J

Wrath Rob

I've found that my clipless have definitely got looser over time, i.e. easier to get out of. Its most noticable when unclipping both feet as the left (which I unclip when coming to rest, e.g. at traffic lights) is much easier than the right. I think I need to adjust the tension in the left one back up a bit to even them out.

Of course this is on my Time pedals so may have no bearing on your issues :P

biondino

On my eggbeaters I have much less confidence in my right cleat/pedal as that's the one I unclip when I stop, though it hasn't let me down yet. Incredibly easy to slip out of, but then eggbeaters have a smoothness to their action which means you don't even get a click (and you can't tighten or loosen them).

BoydJ

I have Speedplay Frogs on my commuter. The trick with them is to slide out, rather than pull up - which took a bit of getting used to after switching from SPDs. Same getting connected - slide, rather than pressing down. Very simple and reliable once you get used to it.