dudezor

Hey all. I've been riding some brand new Alium's for a couple of weeks now and I've got a little problem with them.

The left pedal sorta has a bit of play in it. I'm not too sure what it is. The right pedal is absolutely rock solid when clipped in, but I can feel a bit of 'clicking' between the cleat and the pedal on the left, mostly on the upstroke. It seems to be a little worse on one side of the pedal than the other. Has anyone experienced anything like this with these pedals?

Unfortunately I bought these pedals from an ebay retailer in England -- and I'm in Australia -- so I can't really just pop into the LBS to see if they'll warranty it. The pedal still works fine and doesn't unexpectedly unclip or anything, but it's just a bit of an annoyance.

Does this sound like a warranty issue? I'd hate to have to go through all of the screwing around to send them back to England, especially if the geezer over there might just end sending em back and saying "tough *****".

Rattlebag

I get this, but only since I changed cleats, so it might be something to do with them. TBH it hasn't bothered me enough to do anyting about it so far. Try new cleats if you really cant stand it.

cavernmech

Are you sure it is play between the cleat and pedal? It might be that the dust cap has loosened off a bit and there is play at the pedal/axle interface. Try tightening the dustcap and see if that helps.

In Absentia

Your cleats will loosen while riding and you'll have to retighten them a couple times after installation. So flip your shoes over and check them.

painthawg

We had two seperate crashes amoung the local roadie scene here that involved the Time pedal recall last year. One was during a sprint and really messed a guy up. I would like to think that they have this stuff fixed by now but it is worth checking. mildly related link (only that its Time) but different model of pedal: https://www.timesportusa.com/

TimArchy

I've been riding my ATAC's for a few years and gone through several pairs of cleats. The most common problem is some creaking. I solved this by dousing the pedals in wax lube every few weeks (I've heard that this is what many people who ride ATAC's have to do).
I remember them feeling loose at some point in my history with them but I can't remember what I did to make it go away. The only thing I can think is that if they get too dirty they may not engage properly.
Other than that, check the security of your cleats and check to see if the pedal spindle is loose in the pedal.

Retem

mine have lossened with usage because the left is the foot I take out to put a fod down some of the play you feel is float the springs have a break in period too
I haven't experienced anything that could be considered remotely worrysome

roscoenyc57

tightening the dustcap fixed the same problem for me.

slvoid

I have the same problem on my shimano spd's. Not so much the upstroke but when I'm trying to slow down and I'm pulling on the pedals, it'll sort of "click" up a little.
One day it'll just rip loose and whack me in the back of the leg..

sers

the clicking could be a little too much slack in the chain (snaps as the chain is pushed towards your stays). it also could be that your sole has worn down unevenly.

never had any issues with my aliums or atac xs carbons.

dudezor

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

My shoes were new when I started riding the pedals, as were the cleats -- and they've been loctited in like mofo's, so they ain't moving anywhere. The pedal threads are greased and tightened fine. It's not chain slack either. There doesn't seem to be any extra play in the left axle to the right axle, but I'll try tightening the dust cap.

I was just having a look at it and have nfi on how to tighten it though. It doesn't have a slot for a screwdriver or anything, just a ring of tiny holes around it. Can anyone help me out on this one?

sers

it's a dustcap. get 2 pointy things and unscrew.

HighRollaMerola

Mine did exactly this when the dust cap wasn't tight enough. Not a great way to set the freeplay..with a plastic cap thats eposed...but they are cheap pedals.

dudezor

The dustcap trick has made a big improvement, so thanks a heap for helping get me sorted, folks.

It was perfect again at first after tightening it this arvo, but it started getting the play back again a little after a couple of hours on the pedals. I've just tightened the jimmy out of it, so hopefully it will be all sorted when I get back in the saddle tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Eatadonut

I use 'em offroad - anything I can stomp through, I can clip through, the only time I've actually had problems is when a branch ended up in between my foot and the pedal. 2" of mud went just fine.

max-a-mill

that is just the way it is with the spd pedal.

once your cleat wears down a little from walking on it you get a little up/down "float"

still worth it for cleats that last years.

cavernmech

I would imagine Time has a tool for this but I have never seen one. I clamp 2 awls in a vice at the right distance from each other...place the dustcap on the 2 points and tighten using the pedal body.

dutret

tweezers

Retem

bent needle nose pliers here

dudezor

I used a corn holder fresh from the kitchen draw.

slvoid

Is this up and down float normal?
I'm not sure if it's the cleat or the pedal. I exchanged pedals with my other bike and it didn't have that "up-down" floating problem. But a pair of shoes with newer cleats and the same pedals had the same problem.