Oscar Foxtrot

OK. Brand new road biker--OLD guy. Just got a new Fuji Roubaix and have only been able to ride it about 15 or 20 minutes (long story). In any event, during that brief time, I managed to do the slow clipless pedal tango to the pavement three times. Now, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I figure I can do better than that. I've spent quite a bit of time reading through this forum--and it's great! I've learned a lot.
One thing I thought I would try is lessening the tension on my pedals. So, I went to the Look site, and downloaded the "automatic pedal" instructions. Of course, the instructions for adjusting the spring tension are very simple, but also very confusing, unless it's a translation issue. The English instructions say that turning the screw to + is less tension and turning to - is more tension!! Can that possibly be right? I'm not at my bike now, and maybe it will be very obvious when I actually look at the pedals.
Thanks for the help. If the weather cooperates, I plan to finish my practice falling and actually go out and ride!

LordOpie

I would agree with you... + = tighter. Try it and see.

I'm not familiar with Look, but SPDs, if you loosen 'em to the point where the screw comes out, you're screwed. Pedal's ruined. So just becareful out there, ya here?!

2Rodies

No it's + is less. By that they mean you will have more float=less tension.

Oscar Foxtrot

Can anyone confirm what's right? Common sense or the Look instructions. Today, I went with the more float=less tension idea. I turned the screw to the + many turns. However, it didn't seem any easier to clip out than before. Maybe I'm expecting too much difference between tight and loose. The good news is that I only fell the first time coming to a stop. After that, I seemed to be able to get my foot out and actually come to a stop and balance on that leg. Progress!
Thanks for the help.

Steelrider

Hi Oscar,

There is also the issue of wear-in. This will get easier over time. Also over years have had the cleat develop a little "lip" that comes from too much pavement contact (walking or otherwise) which you can gently sand/file off. Also something that has worked for me is that I keep a stick of paraffin wax near my shoes and rub it on the bottoms and contact edges before most rides - kind of like waxing a surfboard or skis - makes a nice smooth mating surface, eliminates any squeak from pedal-cleat contact, and helps with smooth exit immensely.

Have a good time!

Jakey

I don't think look pedals (the new ones) ever get very easy to get out of...

Oscar Foxtrot

Well, to kinda close out this thread and provide the right answer to anyone else with this question,
I experimented this weekend and determined that the Look instructions I downloaded off their website are WRONG! I turned the adjustment screw in the direction of the minus sign, and the tension loosened, which is the opposite of what the instructions say. As I was turning the screw, I could tell it was getting looser. Sure enough, when I clipped in, it was much easier (I loosened the screw until I was afraid it would come out). And, when I then tried to un-clip, it, too, was much easier. I can now get out of my pedals with very little effort, and yet my feet didn't accidentally slip out while pedaling. I will probably tighten the tension somewhat after I get some more riding time, but for now, I'm much more confident when I approach a stop!
So, it anyone else has the Look pp206 pedals, the tension adjustment works the way you think it should by looking at the plus and minus marks--NOT the way Look's English instructions say it does, at least the instructions I downloaded from the Web. My lbs installed the pedals when I bought the bike, so I don't know if there were any hard-copy instructions with the pedals or not.
Hope this helps someone.

Cycliste

To be honest, I never read the instructions and went with the flow (or the float ). I rode them straight off the box, thinking that I could adjust them during the first ride. I have a set of PP247. I never adjusted them before >1000 miles, I guess at this stage one of the cleats may have started waring off ? Not sure. To adjust them, I tried one way and the other, cannot remember if it's + or -.
Look pedals are real easy to get off, and real safe for that matter, I find them a little more dificult to get on but I guess it's just a question of getting used to it. Then how many times to you get on/off on a ride ?

2Rodies

Oscar I didn't realize your pedals only had the tension adjustment. All of my LOOKs have both tension and float and I was thinking float not tension. Sorry for the bad advise.

zensuit

LOL, since you live in my town...where can I come watch? And on a more serious note, I've been clipless since 91 and remember how it felt the first couple of times...you won't have this problem in about a week and you'll be tightening them up again...

Oscar Foxtrot

zensuit,

So, you live in Chattanooga! Had I known, I would've invited you to watch my first couple of painful days adjusting to my pedals! Having had all the fun that way that my old body can stand, I'm glad to report that I do seem to be getting used to the clipless pedals.
Of course, yesterday, I faced a new challenge. I was riding out Dayton Blvd, and was approaching my halfway point, where I needed to make a left turn into a parking lot. I tried to look back to see if the way was clear to move over in the lane, and when I turned back around, I almost lost control of the bike. The handlebars were wobbling from side to side, and I thought for sure I was going down! Still not sure how I got the bike under control.
I called my lbs today and will be getting a mirror to attach to my helmet. I can see this is going to be an interesting past-time!