ssnead

ok I have some mobility issues with one of my feet. After reading the forums, contacting speedplay I bought some speedplay zeros.

Now I'm having a very difficult time trying to clip in. I think it's because I'm not stepping onto the pedal surface squarely. Sounds lame I know but I'd thought I'd ask anyway to see if anyone has experience with this issue. BTW I've tried it by reducing and opening up the float without much difference.

I've been trying to do it on a standstill with only one speedplay pedal attached. Maybe simply lots of practice until I get it

gazelle5333

practice practice practice...I've had mine (Shimano 105's) for just over a year and I will still once and a while miss the clip. It comes more naturally with time

Cachequatch

clip in and out a couple of times... the springs are verrrrry tight when you first install the new pedals and cleats.. I gave it 3 rides and after my third ride, the pedals clipped in seamlessly and responsively. Just give it a few rides to work in and they will not disappoint! I also recommend picking up a spray can of dry lube to spray into the cleats probably every week or so just to keep things running smoothly!

JMT114

I agree about the practice. It will happen easier with time.

Also, this might only be true of the X series pedals, if the cleats are too tight it will be really hard if not impossible to clip in. If they are screwed in too tight the springs won't flex properly. Make sure you follow the directions for installing the cleats or you could run into problems.

Creatre

My dad is having the same problem with his. He finally upgraded from some old Looks from like 8 years ago. He is 180lbs and still having trouble after 5 or 6 rides clipping in. The right one usually goes in if he uses all his might while stopped, but the left requires some pedaling or a hill effort to clip in. I have watched him while he was trying to clip in and he is doing it properly, but for some reason his are super tight. Hopefully they will lighten up a bit, because he is pretty irritated at the moment.

Harun

also make sure to apply a little dry lube to the pedal surface area once in a while

ElJamoquio

or wet lube. Chain lube works fine. But they are quite stiff when you first get them.

RoboCheme

I remember that it took awhile breaking in my Zeros. My wife still has trouble clipping into her Light Actions on the right side. She gets in and out of the left side so they're easy to clip in.

gvg45

I'd also make sure you dont have the 4 screws on the cleat tightened too much as I've read that can cause clipping in a bit tougher. The screws should come with blue loctite already on the threads which help keep them from loosing up.

collegeboymike

Hehe...when I first had mine, I could not get into them. #1 not being use to them, and #2 b/c they were knew. Eventually you'll get clipped in, and it'll feel like you had to push with over 100lbs of pressure to do it. After the first coupler rides, it becomes butter and very simple to get in and out when needed. Keep trying...you'll love them once you get use to them! =) Don't be ashamed if you topple over too with the first couple tries haha. We all do.

guadzilla

^ This.

MajorMantra

There's a bit of a knack to Zeros, at least if you're a light rider like me who can't rely on body weight to clip in. I find the easiest way to clip in is to put the crank at its lowest point or just behind, then put your foot over the pedal with a slightly dropped heel and push down and forward. The other foot takes care of itself once you're rolling.

Smallguy

I'll also echo the 4 screws being too tight potentially 20 inch pounds is not much force at all

I ended up buying a torque wrench because I like doing my own work on my bike when ever possible

AngryScientist 

this is pretty normal, when i first got the zero's i had trouble getting in too, i think its just a muscle memory typed thing, once you get a feel for the angle and pressure needed to clip in, they work like butter. just keep at it, you'll pick up on it quick.

CB88

I have light actions, my first clipless. When I got home, I got on my bike on the deck, so I could hold on with one hand. I could NOT clip in, even when I jammed down on the pedals with my full (140 lb) body weight. I thought the store sold me s hit, but then I just pedaled around the neighborhood and was able to clip in while riding much easier. Practice & lube, it gets easier

thegunner

i'm pretty sure it's just a tight spring on the zeros. you can call speedplay and they'll send you a 'broken in' spring if you'd like, or you can have someone hold the bike and stomp in and out of the pedals a few times. dead serious.

midgetmaestro 

^ this.

I stick my bike in the trainer and sit there stomping/clipping in and out repeatedly until it loosens up.

merlinextraligh

The two most likely problems have already been covered, too tight screws, and lubrication.

The third common problem is not having a flat surface for the cleat on your shoe. If the sole of the shoe curves in the cleat area, you need to use the shims under the 3 hole adapter plate to make sure you have a completely flat surface.

ssnead

Appreciate all the tips- Not too tight backed them right off per speedplay initial setup. Also used plenty of dry lube, shimmed and checked dead flat -
so set up stationary and stomp until I get it! -Thanks all.

Nachoman

I rub a bit of paraffin onto the pedals and my cleats. That makes clipping in and out much smoother.

Phil85207

You'll get used to it, it just takes a while.

gazelle5333

adjustable tension on the pedals? idk b/c as I said, I'm a shimano guy. If so, loosen them up a little if you are still finding it hard to get in

Cachequatch

There isn't a tension adjuster to the cleat, they will loosen up after some time... might I also add the "squashing the bug" technique? At the bottom of the pedal stroke twist your foot to make a "squishing' motion on the pedal. I've noticed that practicing this also will help you recognize the position you need to be in to be able to quickly stomp down on the pedal to engage the clipping in motion. Hope you're enjoying the pedals and they're working out for you!

WhyFi

Well, damn - I have nothing to add, here.

...and they say that BF's 41 is chock-a-block with immature, good-fer-nothin' vagabonds.