Speedplay Zero Pedals - I Can't Unclip!

Caligari_uk

Hi guys - I've been more than happy with my Speedplay Zero pedals (which I've been running for a good few months now) - but over the last few days I've had some very 'close calls'. I couldn't unclip EITHER of my feet, no matter how hard I tried - luckily I managed to grab hold of a lamp-post the first time - and a tree saved me on my way home from work today.

I've never actually lubricated the cleats (which I think I'm supposed to) - but all I have is some White Lightning Wax - will this do the job?

Also - I'm a little confused as to how I go about easing the tension on the cleats.

I'd be very grateful for any help.

teamtalairan

Holy crap. post like that scare the ****out of me.
Do all cleats need greasing? I havent greased mine (SPD's)

Caligari_uk

teamtalairan wrote:

Holy crap. post like that scare the ****out of me.
Do all cleats need greasing? I havent greased mine (SPD's)

Yeah - I was pretty scared.

The lamp-post incident was pretty hairy, as it was in a very narrow bus lane - the lights had changed to red, but I didn't want to stop as I couldn't get unclipped! I had to grab hold of a lamp-post and pull myself up onto the path - and then I managed to force out one of my shoes.

I'm hoping a bit of lubrication (matron!) and a 'looser' cleat will stop that from happening again.

teamtalairan

my jaw has dropped. holy moly moo.
it brings water to my eyes. GULP.
I'm sure and hope someone can help. I wonder if it is simply changing the tension, but i assume you have already checked that. Do you tighten your cleats before every ride? not coming loose on the ride?

willbevan

Im using standard x cleats, not the zeros atm

I think it advises you use dry lube regularly, and depending on the contions I do every few rides, and tighten up the cleat screws the same amount. When I had trouble unclicking, dropping some lube in sorted it out

Caligari_uk

willbevan wrote:

Im using standard x cleats, not the zeros atm

I think it advises you use dry lube regularly, and depending on the contions I do every few rides, and tighten up the cleat screws the same amount. When I had trouble unclicking, dropping some lube in sorted it out

Do you mean you just drop some lube into the cleats? Will White Lightning Wax be suitable?

1960ride

Speedplay Zero pedals do not have a tension adjustment. They do however have a float adjustment that lets you set the amount of sideways play. You should lube then occasionally and ensure they do not have a bunch of garbage inside the cleat mechanism. If the cleat mount screws aren't evenly tightened you can also have problems.

Hope this helps.

Caligari_uk

Thanks for the help so far, guys.

I've downloaded the instruction manual from the official Speedplay website, and it doesn't seem to explain (unless I'm being blind) which screws I need to play around with to allow for an easier 'release'.

1960ride

There is no easier release. the two small allen screws on the cleat only allow for more side to side adjustment. Try cleaning the cleats real good then lubing them and you should notice them releasing easier. If that doesn't work you shoud check the mounting screws to ensure they are torqued inside the specifications.

rogerthecat

FYI

I disassemble mine every month, clean with a WD40; so far no problems.

Also give them a spray of said WD40 pre and post ride.

markshaw77

1960ride wrote:

Speedplay Zero pedals do not have a tension adjustment. They do however have a float adjustment that lets you set the amount of sideways play. You should lube then occasionally and ensure they do not have a bunch of garbage inside the cleat mechanism. If the cleat mount screws aren't evenly tightened you can also have problems.

Hope this helps.

+1 to this - on the odd accasion I have had issues with my zeros, it is generally because the cleat mouting screws have been too tight or too loose - nothing a good clean and quick test won't solve though

teamtalairan

I have SPD cleats - do i need to lube these ever?

hopper1

teamtalairan wrote:

I have SPD cleats - do i need to lube these ever?

A quick squirt of WD40, or GT85 etc, on your pedals will be more than sufficient.

Regarding the Speedplay cleats:
I only have experience with Shimano SPD-SL's, but I know that they are prone to wear, when walked in too often, this then causes problems with releasing.
Just a thought, but could walking have the same effect on Speedplay's?

Ben6899

Crud inside the mechanism causes the biggest problem with Speedplay pedals and you have to make sure you have them fixed to the shoe correctly. If the mounting plate isn't perfectly flat, this can cause clipping in/out problems.

I have a pair of unused zeros and I cannot decide whether or not to give them a go.

I tried them just prior to winter, but had problems clipping in. Then with the cruddier weather, I went back to the KEOs on my winter bike anyway.

teamtalairan

Squirt I will - thank you!

fungus_the_muffin_man

I have speed plays and they do have a few sticky issues at times but they are stormingly good pedals.

When you first get them they tend to be hard to clip in with. You need to apply lube to the horse shoe shaped clip inside the cleat. You also need to make sure that the 4 screws that you attach the cleat to the shoe with are not to tight. Having them to tight places to much pressure onto the clip stopping it from working properly.

You can adjust the float with the little screws at the side of the cleat. This won't make clipping in or out any easier it will just adjust your foots side way movement.

Once lubed up I always give them a quick squirt with wd40 or some lube before going out and don't have problems.

zedders

Your not the only one!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... =speedplay



Zedders

sungod

speedplay's instructions for zero cleats are below

i use one of the recommended lubes, no issues so far (touches wood)

speedplay explicity says to not use a web lubricant, (i.e. wd40 etc.)

there's no tension adjustment, but as others already said, check the mountimg screws aren't too tight

after a while with no lubrication/cleaning there's a good chance they've crud inside, which is bad news, so time for a good clean

if there's more float than you need, then adjusting for less will reduce the rotation needed to unclip

Where should the Zero cleats and pedal surface be lubricated?

Apply a dry-type(PFTE) lubricant such as Super Lube Dry Film, RZ-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry-Lube, Pro Gold, or Blaster Dry Lube to the cleat springs and the center area of the cleat where the pedal nests. Be sure to keep the cleat cavity free from dirt and debris. Additionally, be careful not to apply lubricant to the outer plate of the cleats as it may cause the cleats to become slippery on some floor surfaces.

What type of lubrication should I use on the Zero cleat springs and bowties?

Speedplay recommends applying a dry-type (PTFE) lubricant such as Super-Lube Dry Film, RD-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry Lube, Pro Gold or Blaster Dry Lube to the cleat springs and to the cavity where the pedal nests. DO NOT USE A WET LUBRICANT! Wet lubricants attract dirt and debris and effectively create an abrasive “grinding paste” that causes parts to wear. Additionally, be careful not to apply lubricant to the outer plate of the cleats as it may cause the cleats to become slippery on floor surfaces.

How often should I lubricate the Zero cleats and bowties?

Applying a dry-type(PTFE)lubricant, such as Super-Lube Dry Film, RD-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry Lube, Pro Gold, or Finish Line Dry Lube, to the cleat springs and the cavity of the cleat where the pedal nests as often as before each ride will significantly prolong the life of the cleats and the pedals. The more often you lubricate the better the system will function.

neeb

+1 to all of the above about lubrication and making sure the screws are not too tight. The trick is getting the cleat screws tight enough to be completely secure, but not so tight that they prevent the springs moving. The easiest way to do this is to get a feel for how the springs move by pressing them with your thumb, then tighten the screws until you can detect some restriction of movement, then loosen off the screws again until everything moves smoothly.

If you get grit in the mechanism it can very occasionally prevent you unclipping... this happened to me once (after two years of trouble-free use) but it shouldn't as long as you avoid walking on gravel/grit without the cleat covers. If you think you might have grit in the mechanism, check the springs with your fingers and if necessary give them a good squirt with a water bottle. At home, run them under the tap thoroughly, leave them to dry, then re-lube.