Bokkie

Well, I got my Gemini 1000 on Sunday. I took it for its first ride on Monday morning. Nothing strenuous, just a sort of father-child bonding experience.

I figured that there was a lot to learn about this bike, like getting used to the gear changes, the disc brakes, fine-tuning the front and rear shocks, and so on. I decided to eliminate the Eggbeaters for the time being, as I wanted to use a cleat-***-platform for the early days while I get used to things. I put back on the Shimano PD-M545 pedals that came with the bike.

25 mins later I fall off the bike while at a standstill because I could not get my right foot out of the clip.

I tried adjusting the clip from one extreme to the other, and still it locks tight on the shoe. Even though I'm using new shoes, there is plenty of free space around the cleat so clearance is not a problem. Do you think this is a dangerous pedal to use? It's almost as if the cleat gets really stuck in the clip.

I'm of the impression that a pedal is either a pure clip or a pure platform, and anything inbetween is a compromise? It seems the cage around the clip is removable so I'll see if that makes a difference. Maybe the clip is too new and too 'sharp' in places but I really thought is should release cleanly even on it's loosest adjustment?

Fortunately, the bike was not damaged (father protected his child) very well

Seconds later, a car passed by. If I'd fallen off then I might have suffered serious injury. A close shave. Any ideas?

Bokkie

Sorry guys, looks like the forum filter did not like my reference to C-U-M in the above. There is no sexual connotation implied as I'm using the C-U-M word in its hybrid conjunction content.

In other words "cleat with platform" by another description.

Hawkphoto

Hey,

The 545's are great Dual Slalom Pedals. A little heavy, but durable and versatile. The problem must be stemming from your shoes/cleats. Try this...

Put some oil on your cleat and on the clipping surface of the pedal.
Loosen the tension allen screws, you can count the clicks if you go all the way to one extreme or the other and count backwards.

If that doesn't work, Go get some 645's... my pedal of choice. A little lighter, a little less resistance, a little more style, and they definately work like a charm...

Good Luck!

zlj75

Did you double check to make sure your cleats are tight and not moving when you try to click out? Happened to me the other day. Aside from the pedal issue, how do you like your Gemeni? I have been looking at that as well, but am coming off a race hardtail, I;m wondering if the Gemeni's geometry is just a little too laid back? What was your last bike? Thanks for the info.

Hawkphoto

I'd like to make a, err... correction!

I think I was referring to the 645's as the Dual Slalom pedals that you currently have! I run the 545's on my bike too! So just switch what I said in the first post... I got a little confused on the models, though I am familiar with both pedals.

I'd also like to back up what was just posted in regards to your cleats being really tightened down on your shoes. Especially new shoes, they really need to be wrenched down almost to the point of stripping the threads on the screws, and then retightened after a couple rides...they settle into the sole of the shoe a bit!

Also, have you tried the multi-directional releasing cleats (sm-sh55)? They offer more ways to pop out and off of the pedals, they also provide a bit more float...

Let us know how it goes! Good Luck Bro'

Mike

ImprezaDrvr

Are you using the cleats that came with the original pedals? Forgive my ignorance of egg beater cleats, but, even if they're SPD compatable, they might be just different enough to cause your problem.

Just a thought.

Bokkie

The cleats are different but will fit SPD shoes. The Eggbeaters have no adjustment, but you can change the angle of release from 15 to 20 degrees by swapping the cleats from one shoe to the other. Right now, I don't feel very comfortable about being locked in, and I need some more miles under my feet before I'd like to go off-road with any clipless pedals - of any kind. I'm just worried that I might not be able to get my foot out quickly enough if I need to - it's just a confidence thing. I've started using the MX30 pedals with the longer studs and so far they are a nice pedal to use.

I've also broken both my ankles in the past, playing rugby, so I'm a little sensitive about my feet. I might not suffer too much being locked to the bike if I take a bad fall, but then again...

ImprezaDrvr

From your answer, it sounds like you might need some SPD cleats instead of the Egg Beater cleats when using SPD pedals. I don't think that the pedal is inherently dangerous, but I would guess that your problem is in using one company's cleat with another's pedal. Like I said, though, that's pretty much just a guess from prior experience.

Bokkie

I originally used the cleats from my road bike, but when I sold the bike, I clean forget to keep the original Shimano pedals. That was a shame, as they were excellent pedals, and once I'd 'run' them in, clipping/unclipping was flawless. Of course I kept the Shimano cleats, and those were compatible with the 545s. I simply switched them to the new shoes I bought when I got the Gemini. There was no way that I could use the Shimano cleats on the EBs. My only gripe was that I could not release my foot from the 545 and that was even on the loosest setting/adjustment. The cleat used was the correct one. Since then, I switched to the MX30 flatties, and I've since cut the platforms off the 545s - a hacksaw was an easy solution to pulling the pedal apart. I have not though tried the 545s again as the MX30s are just fine. I was disturbed by the 545s as I could not get my foot out quickly enough and that might take too long to do when I need it out in a hurry. I dropped my bike 30mins into the very first ride because of that.

I'm going to put the EB cleats onto my shoes but I'll continue to use the MX30s for a while yet. I'll save the EBs for road use and wear them in that way. Then, once I've done that, I'll take the EBs off-road.

ImprezaDrvr

Good plan. Sorry to hear that you had such a rough time with your SPD's. I've loved mine. A hacksaw will solve most problems, though.

Bokkie

And all other problems can be fixed with a 5-pound hammer.

a2psyklnut

plus, duct tape and zip-ties. If you can't fix it with a hacksaw, a hammer, duct tape and zip-ties, it can't be fixed.

L8R

ImprezaDrvr

Amen, brother. Speak it. In my failed attempts at becoming a mechanical engineer, the most important tools of the trade were revealed to be duct tape and bailing wire. The 5 pound hammer is a nice addition, though, to that list. I've actually use all but the wire in bike fixes before. The 5 pound hammer was a fun one.

Bokkie

Evidence of the hammer is to be found in the old USSR. Why do you think they had a hammer on the flag?

The answer is simple. The russkis used to have their famed 5 year plans. With cars, for example, they'd be contracted to build 50,000 Zil limos for the party faithful. Come Monday morning, the peoples glorious chairman at the Kremlin notifies all glorious peoples collectives, that the 5 year plan ends on Tuesday. There are still 1000 cars to make. So what do they do?

They swap their screw-drivers for a 5-pounder. Problem solved. In the time it takes 20 turns of a screw driver to drive the screw home, one whack from a 5-pounder does the same.

Want to fit the beading around a door window? Use a 5-pounder.

Want to fix a wheel nut? Use a 5-pounder.

Want to insert a spark plug? Use a 5-pounder.

I tell you, the collapse of the Soviet Union did more than destroy the glorious peoples collectives, it destroyed the last bastion of the 5-pounder. Lost to history? Never.

Glorious riders of the forum collective. Throw away your tools. You have nothing to lose but your 5 pounder.

Maelstrom 

The perfect solution would be to switch to flats.

a) - flats are what kids should learn on. it allows them to play more. IF you wear spds I could see him wanting them on his first bike

b) - flats only hurt the shins when doing screwy things and messing it up. But those injuries come with stories and I injury stories are always fun.

SurlyLHT26in08

Did you use the Shimano SH-51 Single Releace Cleat? and Best to use the Shimano SH-56 Multi-Release Cleat?

I am going use the Shimano PD-M545 Platform Pedal with DH SPD Shoes I am using Teva Pivot SPD Shoes and Fivetan Maltese Falcon SPD Shoes I have not used them yet but from 4-1998 11-1998 I used them with SH-51 Cleat fall over and then I used SH-56 Multi did ok and Since 3-2005 I also use Sun-Ringle ZUZU Pedals and going to DMR Vault Brendog Platform Pedals for Bike Touring and Bug Out Bicycle my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008

I <3 Robots

13 year old thread revival.

dminor 

Oh, for pity's sake. Thread closed.