Cleat removal

phildavis

I am need to remove my cleats from my shoes, however i cannot undo the screws and the hex is starting to round off. I cant be the first to have this problem. Has anyone got any tips please.

Ta

nicklouse

you have removed all the crud?

might be drill time.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/w ... eats-18192

Thread8

You might have to drill them off if you cant unscrew them

Next time, put antiseize on the bolt threads and clean the cleat area regularly

unixnerd

Not all hex tools are made to the same high tolerances. Try and get a Snap On brand 3mm allen key, it's much less likely to round things off. Most of my tools are Snap On, they're very very expensive but you won't wreck bolt heads with them.

I work on classic cars a fair bit and good quality sockets make life a heck of a lot easier.

You also want to use a small pick to get any rubbish out of the screw head and gently tap the allen key in to make sure it's all the way home.

If that doesn't work try freezing the shoe overnight, let it warm up fully and try again. With luck the screw and it's socket will expand at different rates and you'll break the tension between them. In the motor trade a blow torch does the same job, but it's not a good idea to use one on shoes :-)

diy

Remove the waterproof seal on the inside (hold it back) and squirt some lube or wd-40 on to the plate. give it a while to soak in to the threads and try again.

alternatively drill the screw heads off and use mole grips to remove the tails

clwydian_rider92

Could use a hex saw to make a 'slit' and use a rather large flathead screwdriver. Or best bet as already suggested, use drill method.

S_J_P

Before drilling, you should try PlusGas (which is a proper penetrating oil) or failing that WD40 and leave to penetrate.

Mount the hex-key in a vice, and then mount the shoe/cleat onto the hex key and then turn the shoe whilst pressing firmly down, that should loosen it!