release force on my new Ultegra pedals?
 

I just installed the new grey Ultegra (6620G) pedals and was very surprised that the release force, on the easiest setting, was much higher than my Look (PP357) or any of the funky spd pedals I've got. Btw, the pedals came with the yellow (float) cleats.

Just called my LBS, and they said "give it a month" of riding (3x/week) for the springs to loosen up.
I asked specifically, and he said it was the springs, not the cleats, that will loosen, and that after they do, I'll have to tighten up the tension or my shoes would pop out during climbs.

Does this sound about right?

most springs do loosen so yes.

.... or you'll get use to it and it wouldn't matter.

the spd-sl pedals do loosen some after initial use. Clipping out is also very loud at first. I was riding with someone and they thought that I broke something on my bike when I first clipped out around them. Haha!

The retention is very good, though, and so is cleat life. The bearings on these pedals are practically indestructable too.

Cheers~

Your shop knows exactly sh*t...

I found the springs to be way stiffer as well. I ran my Look pedals as stiff as they would get. I cranked up my Ultegra SL pedals and couldn't get out of them. I'm running them at just more than halfway release tension and they are still plenty stiff. They haven't loosened at all in 6 months of riding them.

The springs are very small and wound very tightly. I'd say, if they loosen noticeably, you have a bigger problem.

Your cleats will wear in a bit and become ever so slightly looser, but you won't pop out.

With these pedals, its more likely the tension will ease up with wear on the cleats.

I agree the new Ultegra pedals are very tight. I had to really wind down the tension at the start, and still felt they were tight. I don't know if I just got used to them or if things have loosened up, but they're OK now.

Finally sold the frickin' things last week. Much happier with my old Look setup.
Maybe I'll try Keo's the next I want to throw some money around needlessly.

Correct. I have both the 6610 Ultegras and the 6620s and the latter pedals are much stiffer at the easiest setting. I got used to it though and cranked my 6610s up to match. No compaints here, they're fantastic at their job. They do not loosen with use, though as Rad points out, when your cleats wear, this has a similar effect.

That makes me feel better about falling twice on my Ultegra (6620) pedals, my first clipless.

They made a very loud sound at first but it went away quickly (either I'm better at it or the shoes are breaking in).

Lol... too much release force on SPD-SL's? You must have unusually weak feet.

In fairness to the guy, there is a big difference between lowest tension on 6610 pedals and 6620s. But yeah, to sell them because of this is a little weak! :D

Just like the difference between Look Keo Classic, Sprints and Carbons.

Well, I've have used many pedals, including the very first Time, so it's not like I'm spastic or anything. I can get my feet out, but there was something else going on too. They hurt my feet, and I feel like I fiddled around with cleat positioning enough, and also bought shoe liners.

The Look was better for me in a few ways. One thing - I like their semi-fixed float, if you know what I mean. You can move your foot into the right place, after you clip in, and it stays there.

Love the cleats on the Ultegra's though. Much easier to walk on.
And if I try the Keo's next, I'll probably go with the Sprints due to their cleat tension.

Funny thing though, I went into a small and VERY hi-end shop last month (just a few Italian frames), and asked the mechanic what he used. He uses the old Look pedals too. Of course, he doesn't get paid like a Porsche mechanic, but I imagine his shop, or the Shimano rep, or somebody, could hook him up with whatever he wants.

I have had my 6620G's for about 6 weeks(I ride 4-5 times a week). I tried some chain oil on the springs to loosen them up, but they still to tight on the lightest setting.

Had the Ultegra SL SPD-SLs then switched to the Look Keo Sprints. Release force was noticeably less with the Keo's and have never "pulled out" of the pedal. If you have any knee history, the Look's will be easier on your body.

I've been riding 6620's for about 800 miles and find that, on longer rides where I have to dismount a lot (lights, etc.), the release force results in sore feet/hot spots even though the pedals are great on the go. I've ridden many pedal models and the force required to get out is significantly higher with these, even at the slackest setting. I've worn/lost one of the yellow bits off a cleat already, too, not happy.

The tension adjustment on the SPD-SL pedals can be turned three full turns past the limit without the worry of the mechanism coming apart. Shimano is just not very clear on this for whatever reason. The release tension will get progressively less with adjustment. Having said this, I recommend not more than two turn past the indicated limit. Within these two turns, you will get the tension that you desire.

As others have stated, there is a tendency for the tension to ease with use. But, its not a whole lot.

By the way, the SPD-SL pedals are the best thing out there - imho.

I've gotten lots of great info from this site but, every now and then, there is advice that saves me significant time and/or money. This is one, since I was going to dump my pedals at a loss. Shimano is actually explicit in instructions to not loosen beyond the the limit. Thanks, NealH!

Yep. Fresh out of the box on the lowest tension setting, clipping in/out is going to be harder than usual. It's been about 3 weeks since I started using my pair, and I tightened the tension up a notch last night. Give it time. They're nice pedals.

Coming from Quattros to SPD-SL's I found the Shimanos shockingly stiff & tough to clip out of. But after loosening the tension & some cleat wear, they're fine. Either that, or I just got used to them. :D