SPD fore/aft play

dyrlac
dyrlac Posts: 751
edited October 2015 in Workshop
Apologies for the potentially filthy title.

Have noticed of late a great degree (2-3 mm (ish)) of fore/aft play on my SPD M520/cleat engagement, mostly noticeable while giving it some welly. Somewhat, but not overwhelmingly, more prevalent on the left side (I am an exclusively left-footed unclipper on the commute). The pedals have seen about 4,300km of service, the cleats (M-type) have seen at least twice that in all weathers, and possibly thrice. I have the pedals set to maximum tension, but the trouble persists. Visual & micrometer inspections of the pedals and cleats has proved inconclusive. Cleats are properly installed in the shoe. Time to replace the cleats with big boy S-type SPD cleats or have I missed something*? Anyone have a sense of the service life of the M520s with no maintenance?

* other than to switch to speedplay for the whole fleet, which I've considered, but feel like that would be more mood affiliation than a practical course of action.

Comments

  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    You need new cleats, not sure what you mean re. M and S type cleats, as Shimano SPD cleats are SM-SH51 single release or SM-SH56 multi release, or are you using another make of SPD cleats?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Mine too. Left foot unclipper too, so the left pedal is the clicky one.

    I did briefly consider swapping left and right cleats to even out the wear, but I can't be bothered considering how cheap they are and how many years service I get out of a pair.

    Time for new cleats I think. Actually I'm after some new M520s for one of the bikes, so they'll come with them. Sorted!