Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Shimano SPD Pedals PD-M424 + Keen Commuter II Sandals = near catastrophe

I bought these Shimano SPD pedals PD-M424 http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M424.-type-.pd_mountain.html and have been using them for a while with my Shimano walkable SPD shoes without incident. I recently bought a pair of Keen Commuter II SPD compatible sandals http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss11/shoes/men/pedal/commuter%20ii to use with these pedals, and had a big scare when I discovered that I couldn't clip out no matter how hard I twisted either foot. This came as a complete surprise as clipping in was very easy. It seems that the combination of the outer pedal cage, very grippy sandal tread and narrow cleat channel simply would not permit the cleat to release from the pedal. I somehow managed to maneuver over to a parked car and lean against it, and then undid the velcro strap on the sandal so that I could remove my foot. I then rode home with my left foot on top of the sandal. When I got home and got my feet out of the sandals, I couldn't get the sandals off the pedals until I completely unscrewed the tension screws on the pedals. In over 30 years of using clipless pedals, I've never had this experience, even on the track where I set the release tension very high. I tried these sandals on another bike, which has old style SPD pedals w/o the mtb cages, and had no problem releasing, so it seems that problem occurs only with this combination. As to the Keen sandals, they work great both on and off the bike, except like many other SPD walkable shoes, there is some grinding of the metal cleats on hard surfaces.

Sounds like you didn't torque down the cleats to the shoe properly and they were not swiveling with your foot. This happened to me with my very first pair of SPD shoes/pedals. I got one of those Nashbar combo deals with blue 'nashbar' pedals and I was so excited to try them out. I couldn't get them unstuck and my older brother had to take them to his friend who worked at an LBS to get them apart.

/that's my guess anyway.

Glad you didn't wipe out due to feet being stuck.

Horrible "shoes", ugly pedals ... no suprise its a "fail" .

Great job handling and keeping cool in the situation. :thumb: :lol:

Also, what type of clip release were you using? Try using the multi-release clips instead of the single direction release clips that usually come standard.

You obviously should have gone with those flip-flop pedals I suggested.

sorry TT but clipless sandals is just ridiculous. glad you werent injured. throw them away and just use your regular clipless shoes.

glad to hear you were alright I have seen the keens used with regular spd sans cages and time atacs maybe its time for new uncaged spds???

glad to hear you were alright I have seen the keens used with regular spd sans cages and time atacs maybe its time for new uncaged spds???

Actually, those SPD pedals are the only ones I have that are caged, and I bought them with the intention of using them with regular shoes as well a SPD shoes. I then found out that they are pretty useless with regular shoes, because the SPD part protrudes above the cage, so your shoes don't even rest on the cage anyway. I do have a spare set of regular SPD pedals that I'm going to put on that bike, and maybe I can find someone to buy the cage ones. I already have regular uncaged SPD pedals on 3 other bikes (Kilo WT FG, Cannondale full suspension mtb, homemade cross bike). In fact, I was riding the Kilo WT today with the sandals, and they worked just fine. They're not as stiff as racing shoes, but still provide decent power transfer to the pedals and hold well on my feet when pulling back and up. They're much nicer to walk in than the Shimano SPD shoes.

TT - maybe something like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/WELLGO-PLATFORM-CLIPLESS-PEDALS-W-SHIMANO-SPD-CLEATS-/300539315330?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f98a0482

I've been thinking about buying a pair for like 6 months for my commuter. Too bad to hear those cages are useless. They never did look as good as a "normal" pedal.

I was sorta hoping you cut your toes off so I could say I told you so, not to get sandals. Maybe in a few more weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I was sorta hoping you cut your toes off so I could say I told you so, not to get sandals. Maybe in a few more weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm afraid you're not getting your wish, because these sandals are close toe and no less protective than a regular shoe. But, thanks for the happy thoughts.

TT - maybe something like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/WELLGO-PLATFORM-CLIPLESS-PEDALS-W-SHIMANO-SPD-CLEATS-/300539315330?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f98a0482

I've been thinking about buying a pair for like 6 months for my commuter. Too bad to hear those cages are useless. They never did look as good as a "normal" pedal.

I just bought something similar, Shimano PD-M324 from Amazon for $51.75 shipped. They retail for $85 and presumably have serviceable cup and cone bearings. They look nicer than the caged PD-M424, and the cage is steel instead of plastic, which should be a lot more durable. They're also 100g lighter for the set.

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M324.-type-.pd_mountain.html

I just bought something similar, Shimano PD-M324 from Amazon for $51.75 shipped. They retail for $85 and presumably have serviceable cup and cone bearings. They look nicer than the caged PD-M424, and the cage is steel instead of plastic, which should be a lot more durable. They're also 100g lighter for the set.

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M324.-type-.pd_mountain.html

Another bad thing about the PD-M424 is that there is no tension indicator, and the tension screw goes from very tight to very loose without any fine adjustment. Every other SPD pedal I've owned has had a tension indicator and has been easy to adjust. Anyway, I think this design by Shimano is a total fail.