No, this has nothing to do with the withdrawal method so please no smartass replies.

I have been using clipless pedals pretty much since they came out in 1986 or 1987. And as a retrogrouch I have been too lazy to use the newer systems, so I currently use Look Delta-based cleats and pedals. My current road bikes use either the Dura-Ace 7401 or the Performance "forte" pedals which use the original Look Delta cleat design.

Anyway, on yesterday's group ride there were some guys pushing the pace at the front of the group and they opened up a gap on a climb, so I summoned all my energy and stood up to bridge the gap....and next thing I knew my right foot pulled out of the pedal, without warning.

Luckily I did not fall, but needless to say I did not bridge the gap and rode the rest of the ride fairly conservatively.

When I got home I checked my cleat for wear and it looked ok. I checked the pedal tension and it seemed fine, it was one turn away from "max" so I did turn it up to max for good measure.

So I am wondering if anyone has had similar issues, especially with the delta pedals? Have I just been lucky for 20+ years and is this something that may happen once in a while? I don't really feel like updating my pedals as the current ones are on multiple bikes (2 road bikes, a SS commuter, and a (gasp) recumbent), and I am way too much of a cheapskate to buy 4 new pairs of pedals.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Doug

How old is the set of pedals that you were riding when the incident occurred? It might be a problem with just this set.

Embrace modern innovations.

The pedals in question are forte's that are "only" about 2 years old. They don't make the specific model anymore, it has Ti axles and are pretty darn light.

Well, a new set of cleats is probably the logical move... even if they "look" alright. I had the old triangle look stuff for about 6 months, it feels very secure compared to spd's or straps.

But, I consider them in the racing category of bike stuff. As such, the fix is to spend money.

Now, I'm back to leather straps.

Hmmmm

How's the wear indicator look?

On the cleats.

Datlas - I think you responded to my 7401 thread. Unless you get Look branded Deltas, the quality of all Look compatible cleats is suspect. I am really on the fence now and with the Speedplay platformer option I am thinking of changing pedal system. I started in 1996 and have been unclipping my welgo delta cleat equipped shoe lately. I got some red Deltas but they have so much float for me. I am looking forward to the Speedplay zeros and I hope that I would like them.

Damn you.

maybe it just means you're still getting stronger

You've got a good one? Don't let that warning stop it.

I was thinking something along the "Oh, using the old B&O method, huh?"

Yeah I suspect this is the consequence of using an inferior product. I believe the welgo cleats are the same as the forte's, by the way. But I have had very good results with the current setup and the yesterday's pull-out was the first time ever.

I actually have a BRAND NEW pair of look keo 2 max pedals that I got from PBK but have been too lazy to put them on my usual roadbike since I will have to have different shoes for different bikes. But yesterday's pull-out may force the issue.

OK go ahead with sophomoric comments, I welcome them.

I will start:

"that's what she said."

Technique tends to go out of the window at maximum effort, particularly when you're standing up and throwing the bike around at god-awful angles. You foot came out of line with the pedal at some point in the stroke and it unclipped as it is designed to do.

That sounds most likely.

Go ahead, Razor....you have my blessing to come up with a good comment regarding my unplanned withdrawal. Just don't make it too offensive or the mods will get involved.

I had considered this as a possibility. But I probably make a maximum effort like this once or twice a ride and this was the first unclip. I actually hope you are right, then I can continue to be lazy and use my 1980's technology.

Unclipping wouldn't throw your balance so much on a Fredcumbent; you only need to replace three pairs.

A couple days ago, I was climbing a long, unusually steep hill, and (to my great surprise) unclipped my right foot near the top. Like you, I didn't fall, but I'm not quite sure how I managed to avoid it. I was on my cross bike, which has pretty lousy pedals, but I wanted to take a rough trail my road bike wouldn't appreciate.

Scirocco is probably right. I was near max effort, too, when this happened. My pedals are too easy to escape from, and might have unwittingly had things at unclipping angle. I guess I must have. This hasn't happened before, though, in thousands of miles of riding. And I don't rock my bike left and right while climbing, as it's a waste of precious energy.

I'm using SPDs, by the way.