Problem with unclip...
 

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[Closed] Problem with unclipping from SPD pedal

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I have a set of the boardman MTB Pro SPD pedals that i use on my road bike and one side has recently decided to become a pig to clip in and unclip from

I've adjusted the tension, cleaned and lubed the mechanism, changed my worn cleat for a new one and checked the angle and position of the cleat and nothing seems to be improving the action.

I also put the bike on my turbo just to practice different angles of release and it's like there's a few extra degrees of angle required now to get my foot out which is very unnerving. It's like the cleat is loose on the shoe and twisting when it very much isn't!

should i just write them off and replace my pedals or is there something else i could try first?

I have a sportive at the weekend so i'm a bit miffed i have to faff about with this now


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 11:13 am
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at £26 quid or so for them I would just buy a new set. maybe the bearings are shot so there is play in the spindle, grab the pedal body and see if you feel movement


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 11:33 am
 DezB
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Just get some cheap Shimanos. I could sell you a set as I have about 4 spares, but they're hardly worth buying secondhand as they're so cheap new! (M520 or M530 if you want a platform)


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 11:39 am
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no help other than to agree with the gents above, but to also add; when so much bike stuff seems overpriced is anything better value than M520 pedals at £20-odd with cleats thrown in.


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 11:47 am
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Have you checked if there is everything OK with the actual shoe itself? I had an issue with Mavic MTB shoes few years back, where a part of the sole cracked along the cleat mount - couldn't see this at first, as it was covered with the various thread patterns. But it was very difficult to unclip (extra 10° of movement or so at least!) and to clip in (as every time the cleat was in slightly different location!).

While in the subject: Mavic and CRC were amazing with the warranty, even though the shoes had big muddy milage in and were just few weeks before the warranty period ended!


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 11:48 am
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Thanks all. I have an old set of M520's in the parts box, will chuck them on to see if they work a bit better. They're a bit old and worn but i'll dunk them in lube to see if they'll get me through the ride.

The current pedals don't have any play in them, fundamentally they seem fine

The shoes should be solid and that cleat isn't moving one iota, it had crossed my mind that that might be the problem though. I'll check again when i get home.


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 12:01 pm
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On my shoes the cleat was not moving at all too! It was the whole part of the sole (including the cleat) that was moving in relation to the rest of the shoe...


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 12:06 pm
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when so much bike stuff seems overpriced is anything better value than M520 pedals at £20-odd with cleats thrown in.

The boardman pro is actually a great pedal, £26 to buy inc cleats and is 100g lighter than the M520s. its better looking as well.


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 12:45 pm
 DezB
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The boardman pro is actually a great pedal, £26 to buy inc cleats and is 100g lighter than the M520s

doesn't sound like they're quite as reliable though eh 😉


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 12:50 pm
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Those Halfords pedals seem pretty robust and nice and light. They also have a 2yr guarantee. Does anyone else have this unclipping problem with them?


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 12:53 pm
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I have a set, no issues


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 2:38 pm
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We have several pairs of these in our hiuse that do quite high mileage on gravel bikes and xc machines. They have been a lightweight bargain, so im glad to hear it doesnt seem a generic problem


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 3:48 pm
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They've been really good pedals till now, action has been good and they look the part on my bike

Going to try an old pair of SPD shoes with them tonight and if they're still not right i'll swap to my old pedals.

I am now wondering if it's the shoe that has knackered, they're shimano MO89's which felt solid last night when i checked the cleats but i'll see if the sole is still actually attached!


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 4:03 pm
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Well I've checked my shoes and the pedals and it's all good again.

Another good dousing of wd40 last night has freed everything up again so it must have been some dirt in the mechanism that didn't get shifted the first time I went at it


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 7:08 pm
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I've run these pedals with no issues for 18 months and around 5k Kms with no issues. Still look good too, whereas all the Shimano ones I have (various, on my other 3 bikes) have all scuffed up pretty quickly.


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 7:18 pm
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I’ve had one of the bolts that goes through the spring and cleat come unthreaded from the outside, making the cleat difficult to engage and fully release. Takes some clamping in a vice and turning the bolt to get it back together.


 
Posted : 16/10/2018 8:40 pm

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