n3o

Hey...English is not my native language so bare with me

I got my self the speedplay zero chromoly pedals. Since I have overtightened one of the cleat fastening screws I had some difficulties engaging pedals in to the cleats. Then I loosen up all the screws and things got a bit easier although it is still quite stiff to engage. The crank arms almost bend a little when engaging.

I do have one question about the baseplate snap shims. I used the 5R and 5F shim and the base plate closely matches the curvature of the shoe. But on the front side there is a small empty gap between the shim and the baseplate. Should this pose any problem?

By the way. Everything is flat. Also when the cleat is mounted it comes totally flat on the surface of the baseplate.

Many thanks for your help.

here is the picture

thin_concrete

I can see some dirt and other debris getting in there, but if you clean them after each ride, I can't see it being much of a problem.

n3o

thanks

Campag4life

If you are getting no rocking...in other words the base of the cleat is rock supported...then that gap should pose no issue. Normally small screw torque sensitivity to cleat engagement binding is due to the cleat not being on a planar surface aka gapping. If you apply pressure to the cleat and the gap reduces, you need to shim the cleat for better support. I personally use small washers for the front 2 of 4 small screws on my Speedplays to support the cleat and make it perfectly planar. I use the optional Speedplay extension base plates...attached to the shoe with larger 3 screws...to run my cleats aft by about 12mm or so.

n3o

Thanks...may I just ask you if you had any problems with cleat engagement at the begining? When the cleats and springs are new?...for me it is quite hard to engage (the crank arms almost bend a little?)

MakiNn

I know with my Speedplay Zeros it took a bit to get them clipped in and out right away but over time they got better

kkapdolee

I had trouble engaging and disengaging with Speedplay Zeroes for months so I switched over to Speedplay Ultra Light Action and have been happily using them since. In my opinion, ULAs are the same as Zeroes, just easier to engage and disengage.

demoncyclist

Did you use some dry lube on the springs? Can you move them easily by pushing with your fingers?

bored117 

I ended up buying their torque wrench for cleat... was using my regular torque wrench with adapter to get the hex philips bit in... but after messing up too many heads... was not worth it...
As long as it is well lubed, the only reason it is hard to engage would be uneven or too tight screws... But than, I only have 2 speed play pedals and went through 3 cleats so far...

Campag4life

Speedplay Zeros tend to be a bit sensitive to clipping in initially and yes they do slightly wear and break in and will give you many thousands of miles use without replacement. Part of the small screw torque issue is misunderstood...what I tried to explain. If screwing into a surface that is less than flat, the cleat will bow..convex outward...and therefore bind and mis-engage. Owners that believe that screw torque is hyper-sensitive to full engagement simply are screwing onto a less than flat surface. I hope this makes sense.
But yes, the cleats due tend to open up a bit with usage.

Speedplays aren't perfect but the best pedals I have used and if I could find something else I liked better...in particular in fore/aft adjustability with available extension base plates and with large float adjustment...I would be on them...but I like Speedplays the best.

Btw, grease the bearings every 3-5K miles.

Good luck.

n3o

yes I do lube the cleats and the pedals....what do you mean by "move them easily by pushing with your fingers"...if you mean by that clipping in then the answer is no, since I have to push flat on the pedals to engage...but if you mean by that moving the cleats when clipped in then the answer is yes...

n3o

I have been in contact with Speedplay tech support (very nice personal) via mail. I have sent them these two photos:


And here is their reply:

"Looking at your photos, cleats look like they are mounted correctly.

You should be ready to go."

I suppose everything should be ok...


Thanks everyone for your help!