rawsonstreet said:
I've had Ultegra pedals and yellow cleats (allows a certain degree of side movement) for only 2 months and one of the cleats is very loose side - to - side no matter how much I adjust the tension on the pedal. Is this wear normal after a few months of riding?
Has anyone tried red cleats? And are they any better? These are fixed and do not allow any side play.
Have you checked the screws that hold the cleat on to the shoe? Also, try rearranging the screws in the holes (trade out the screw in one hole for another). I think you may not have screws tight enough. They are appearing to be tight enough when you try to see if they are loose with your hands, but given the added leverage and strength with your foot, you might be able to get movement. Also make certain that you have those square washers in each hole. A couple of other things to try:
a) Take off your cleats and clean up the interface between the cleat and the bottom of the shoe. Make certain that there is no oil or other slippery stuff in there.
b) Cut a piece of paper to the outline of the cleat and put this in between the cleat and the shoe - when you tighten down the cleat, the paper will (hopefully) act as a compressable washer and hold the cleat in place
c) Maybe your screws are old and the threads are worn out? New screws might help (get a new pair of cleats and there is a new screw kit in there).
d) Also, the first few times after remounting a new set of cleats the screws seem to get loose. Tighten them up the first few times you are out or do it about half way through your first ride with the new cleats mounted. Also, make certain you have parked some place where you can be seen by motorists. There is no sight weirder than seeing a person torquing on wrench on the bottom of a shoe.
e) If the screws still keep coming loose, go to your local hardware store and get a few star lock washers. These will go at the top of the screw, just below the screw head and above the square metal washer. The star shape o the washer will dig into the metal parts and provide some friction. Make certain that you get washers that are small enough to fit in the recessed part of the cleat where the screw goes
f) I like the yellow (float). If you have alignment issues with your knees (like your knees are on fire after a ride), try getting a shim kit. This kit puts small wedges between the cleat and the shoe and adjusts the alignment of your knee and leg overall to the pedal. Look up "LeMond Wedge" I use these and they're great!
hope it helps....
ColoradoVeloDude
Colorado Springs, CO
