Shimano Cleat Tension?
10-04-12, 12:02 PM
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Shimano Cleat Tension?
I can easily find info on what release tension Look pedals (disregard cleats in the title) allow you to adjust to and from (8-12NM on Keo Classic, 12-18NM on Keo 2 Max Carbon), but I can't find any info for Shimano pedals...does anyone know what the tensions are on them, more specifically the Ultegra 6700 Carbon pedals?
Last edited by FPSDavid; 10-04-12 at 03:51 PM.
10-04-12, 02:31 PM
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Yer nomenclatuer is weird. What are you trying to do?
NM is a torque measurement - are you trying to fasten cleats to your shoes?
tight enough so the cleat doesn't twist out when you uncleat should do it while you are dialing in the position of the cleat.
then a few twists tighter for regular riding after position is dialed in.
NM is a torque measurement - are you trying to fasten cleats to your shoes?
tight enough so the cleat doesn't twist out when you uncleat should do it while you are dialing in the position of the cleat.
then a few twists tighter for regular riding after position is dialed in.
10-04-12, 02:56 PM
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Yer nomenclatuer is weird. What are you trying to do?
NM is a torque measurement - are you trying to fasten cleats to your shoes?
tight enough so the cleat doesn't twist out when you uncleat should do it while you are dialing in the position of the cleat.
then a few twists tighter for regular riding after position is dialed in.
NM is a torque measurement - are you trying to fasten cleats to your shoes?
tight enough so the cleat doesn't twist out when you uncleat should do it while you are dialing in the position of the cleat.
then a few twists tighter for regular riding after position is dialed in.
10-04-12, 03:00 PM
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I just do it by feel. When the adjustment feels right, I leave it alone. I don't mean to be a smartass about it but the best measurement for me is feel.
10-04-12, 03:09 PM
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Thats how i did it too. I took a couple laps around my neighborhood with my allen tool and tightened till it was the tension I wanted. Then made both equal. Done and Done.
10-04-12, 03:19 PM
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With my zero-float SPD-SL cleats/pedals, I just set the tension to minimum. Works just fine. Never felt the need to go tighter and my feet have never come out when I did not want them to.
10-04-12, 03:47 PM
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The two pedals I'm looking at replacing them with are the Look Keo 2 Max Carbon (minimum tension 12nM, maximum tension 18nM), but I can't find any tension info on the other ones, Shimano Ultegra 6700 Carbon.
I adjusted my Keo Classic's from somewhere near minimum tension (I think, I didn't do this very scientifically) to maximum tension of 12nM (to match the Keo 2 Max Carbon minimum tension), and it's pretty damn hard to clip in now (I can do it though), and still pretty easy to clip out. Just want to know if it'll be any harder at minimum tension with the Shimano pedals (i.e. if their minimum release tension is higher or lower than the Keo 2 Max Carbon's).
Last edited by FPSDavid; 10-04-12 at 03:52 PM.
10-04-12, 03:59 PM
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I hear spraying pledge or wd40 helps make entry easier. (to be used on pedals.....not in the bedroom bwahahaha 
) I dont know if it is true or not. I haven't tried it, but I have read about it.
) I dont know if it is true or not. I haven't tried it, but I have read about it.
10-04-12, 05:11 PM
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If I had to take a guess, the minimum tension on my 6700 pedals feels like 16 Nm. I'm basing this relative to my experience with the Look Blade pedals. It would be nice if Shimano broadened the range of their adjustment because I prefer an easier release around 12 Nm.
10-12-12, 09:43 AM
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Just an update. I decided to mount my Look Blades on one bike to compare with my 6700 pedals on another bike since I thought it would be an interesting experiment. The Look Blades are the 12 Nm version. With the tension on the Ultegra pedals dialed to the minimum, it felt like 13-14 Nm using the yellow SPD-SL cleats. But when using the red SPD-SL cleats without float, the perceived tension for me felt identical to the 12 Nm Look Blades with the gray Keo cleats. So if you already have 6700 pedals and want an "easier" release then I'd give the red cleats a shot, assuming you don't absolutely want/need the float.
