Speedplay Zeros don't clip-in
 

I've recently got a brand new pair of Speedplay Zero pedals (Cro-molly edition). Those replaced my Shimano M520s.
Installation went smooth (or so I think :) ) and before the first ride I've decided to try feeling of new pedals. Since I don't have a trainer this is more like clip-in clip-out. Well, I was supprised that after a few attempts I was not able to clip-in neither of my feet.

I carefully read the instuctions again, since there's a big warning about overtightening of mounting screws. Looks like everyting is done correct. The screws are tight just enough to hold the cleats. I didn't find any other issues. The pedals adjusted to 0 float, but I've tried to set the float to full 15 degrees. That didn't change anything.

Speedplay says that it could be an issue for lightweight folks to clip-in at the beginning. I'm about 150 lbs, that's kinda light. Also I'm not sure that this is causing the problem.

Any suggestions?

lube the cleat springs? that helped me. i just used the chain lube and clipping and un-clipping is way better.

yup. I did that (forgot to mention in the original post).

And try to twist your foot back and forth a bit while clipping in.

the foot twist helps me. Really stupid question but I will assume of course that you chose to put the platforms on the correct side (you didnt switch shoe sides) but something that may be a bit less obvious is to make sure that there is no bow or flex to the platform when looking from the side. This is why it is so important to pick the correct shim. Good luck.

I'll try to twist my foot, thanks.

The shims looked right at first time. I've used those that were originally attached to the platforms.
I'll try the other set of the shims tomorrow just to see if they fit better.

It looks like that cleat attaches to a pedal on one side (usually rear) and from this point I'm stuck -- no matter how hard I push it doesn't go any further :(.

Speed Play Zeros are pro-racer pedals and have a VERY high insertion pressure. The Speedplay X pedals are better for recreational and amateur racers.

I purchased the same pedals earlier this year and thought I was going to have to return them, since I had real issues clipping in. I was very used to many years of riding look-style pedals. Anyway, mine loosened up after maybe 1,000 miles and are much easier to clip in now. It might just take some time.

Dave

Loosen the four black screws. They are likely too tight and are restricting free movement of the spring.

However, be careful, there is a very fine line between too tight and too loose. It is often just a matter of lubing the surface and turning the screws back 1/8 of a turn each.

What shoes did you put the cleats on? If the shoe has much curvature in the area of the cleat, the cleat bends as it get's screwed down and can be difficult to clip in. Speed play ships a shim with the cleat to use if the shoe has too much curvature. You might try taking the cleat off and putting the shim under the cleat, adjusting it with an eye to getting the cleat flat not bent. The cleat comes from the foactory lubed, and if you've checked the tighness of the screws, my bet it is curvature of the shoe, and that's addressed with the shim. Look at page 2 of the installation instructions on speedplay's web page.

http://speedplay.com/pubs/ZERO_Pedal...ns_1_27_06.pdf

Cyclintom- I don't know where you got that info from but that just isn't so. I have 3 sets of Speedplay Zeros on different bikes, I only weigh 130 lbs., am DEFINITELY no pro racer, and can click into any of my 3 sets with ease.

ifox- one quick thing to check: make sure the metal locking clip in the cleat didn't inadvertently get flipped upside down; it is possible for that to happen. The beveled edge needs to be facing down (towards the pedal).

Next, to verify that the mounting screws really aren't too tight, you should be able to grab that locking clip, one end with one hand and the other end with the other hand and rotate it the 15 degrees of play you've set it at in both directions. If you can't rotate that clip by hand, either the screws are too tight or something's not mounted right.

ifox- if you try all this, if you can rotate the clip by hand, and it still won't clip in, try taking a picture of the mounted cleats and posting it. Maybe there's something we can see that's not quite right.

Good luck!
RJ

Before the mounting screws, there are the other screws that need to be on. They usually give you two kinds, the flat head screws and the slightly rounded ones. When I first bought a new pair of shoes, I asked the shop to put the speedplay cleats on. They used the wrong screws and made the tension spring too tight for clipping in and out.

Look for Speedplay's phone number on your instructions or google them. Call them. They are extremely helpful.

..rickko..

I find
 

the four cleat fastening screws need to be barely tight, less than the max 1/4 turn spec'd. Back out all four screws, drop blue loctite in the holes, screw the bottom plate on 'til there's resistance but no more and let cure. To do this it's a good idea to strip the factory loctite on the threads so you can get a feel of where the resistance starts.

Be careful about the tension of the 3 screws of the base plate as well. When I attached them to spec, attached the bottom plate, futzed around, took off the bottom plate I found the base plate screws had loosened.

Once dialed in they are quite nice, but it does required some trial and error.

Well I had some luck today :)

I've re-assembled cleats on both shoes (Pearl Izumi I-Beam). The four black screws were not too tights but I've loosen them a bit more. I also moved the platform a bit more towars the toe on both shoes. Right now it's more centered under the ball of foot.

But what really helped is loosening the "hill-in" screw all the way out. I'm able to clip-in both feet now (doing a little twist). Once cliped in there is a bit of too much floating in hil-in direction right now. Looks like I need to fine tune this screw, so I'll be able to clip in without problem but there won't be too much float.

I looked on X Series before I bought Zeros. I want the ability to adjust float, something my old M520s didn't have at all. And X Series doesn't have either.