Mike Murray
Speedplay X series pedal cleats can fail when the wire spring breaks.
Speedplay suggests that the springs be replaced is they start to flatten. I
have had one break when it was nearly brand new and not at all flattened and
others that were considerably flattened without any problem so I am not so
sure that there is a dependable way to predict failure of the wire spring.
The Zero series has a stouter flat metal spring which may be less prone to
failure. I have never used them.
Steve Long posted about problems with removing a worn Speedplay cleat. This
is easily avoided by coating the bottom of the cleat and screws with Shoe
Goo (which also gives you a less slippery walking surface). If the screws
do get worn you can use a Dremel tool to cut a slot in the worn head to
allow you to use a flat blade screwdriver to remove them. The screws should
always be glued in place as over tightening the screws can deform the cleat
and make it not function properly; either release too easily or not release
at all.
An unscientific observance of kilo starts, which is an extreme test of
pedal/show attachment, leads me to believe that Speedplays are the least
likely to lose attachment unexpectedly of all the generally available
pedals. Old standard toe clips and straps have a reputation that they are
more secure but in my opinion this is not true as they fail with regularity
in kilo starts. There are pedals or modifications of pedals that use both a
clip in system and a strap or other strap and large cleat systems which are
more secure but will not come off even in a fall and are probably only
useful for track racing and are not practical for road use.
As an aside, I have never figured out why an unexpected detachment of the
pedal is a reason for a fall. All that you have to do is bend the other leg
and sit back down. I have had shoes come off pedals in many situations;
stopping on a fixed, full sprint on the track and the road, going uphill,
etc. I have never even felt close to falling when that happened.
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of gschreckchat@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 08:16 AM
To: Curt Dewees; STEVEN R HOLLAND
Cc: Ken Finch; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] My crash at Monday PIR 7/23 JU
I have sen the same thing with Speedplay. When stuff wears out, it does not
matter what it is made of.
--
George Schreck
gschreckchat@comcast.net
(503) 502-0425
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Curt Dewees"
> I've always ridden red Look cleats, ever since I got into road biking,
> but after what happened to Ken F. and to Steve H. (both very strong
> and very experienced racers, by the way!), I'm thinking of switching
> to Speedplay. More metal, less plastic = mo' betta!
>
> CD
>
> On 7/30/07, STEVEN R HOLLAND wrote:
> > Ken,
> >
> > I second your recommendation!!
> >
> > I spent 5 days in the hospital last year for the exact same
reason....worn
> > Look cleats.
> >
> > Check your cleats right now, better yet replace them.
> >
> >
> > Ken Finch wrote:
> > I just wanted to post a big thanks to all the folks at PIR who helped me
out
> > after my crash last week. I don't know anyone's name that stopped to
help me
> > out but I appreciate everyone's care and attention. It was real showing
of
> > what by now seems to be selflessness and attention that is standard from
the
> > OBRA folks and the racing community.
> >
> > I can also heartily recommend OHSU for all your emergency care and
surgery
> > needs. Everyone I dealt with there was great from the doctors on down.
> >
> > Finally a friendly word of advice; my crash resulted in a broken
clavicle, 7
> > broken ribs, a broken pelvis and the usual road rash, all of which could
> > have been avoided if I'd replaced my Look cleat as soon as I had an
inkling
> > it was worn out, instead of thinking 'aw, it'll be ok for one more
race'.
> > So...check those cleats!
> >
> ; > Anyway, thanks again to everybody! See you at the cross races!
> >
> > Ken Finch
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> >
> > STEVEN R HOLLAND
> > 17203 SE 30TH ST
> > VANCOUVER,WA 98683
> > C-503-780-7296
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.ob ra.org