tightening cleats on pedals

[Mazz]

I've got double-sided SPD pedals on my road bike.

Maybe they've got a bit loose over time, but I've noticed recently that when I'm powering up hills by standing up off the seat /standing on the pedals, that sometimes my left shoe will unclip from the pedal unexpectedly - I have a mini wobble but thankfully (so far) I've regained my balance and I clip back in again (it is unnerving though). I guess the left pedal is much more prone to this, as it clips/unclips far more than the right. I'll take a close look for adjustment screws later.

Is there a way to tighten up the pedals?

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I've never played with it, despite having them for almost 20 years now, but my Time ATAC XS Carbon double sided pedals have an adjustment screw on each pedal (as do my Time XPro10s), to tweak the retaining mechanism strength.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

There should be a small 2-3mm hex bolt on the pedal body (usually the curved part that covers the pedal spring(s)). You can turn this to tighten/loosen the pedal tension.

Also, double check your cleat is not worn, this is a common culprit of spontaneous unclipping!

 

[Ian H]

Multi-release cleats are more likely to spontaneously let go than single-release.

 

[ColinJ]

There should be a small 2-3mm hex bolt on the pedal body (usually the curved part that covers the pedal spring(s)). You can turn this to tighten/loosen the pedal tension.

Also, double check your cleat is not worn, this is a common culprit of spontaneous unclipping!

Two per pedal, one for each side!

It is true that a worn cleat can get sloppy in the pedal, but assuming that the cleats are not badly worn then the adjustment bolts can dramatically tighten the release mechanisms. In fact if you overdo the tightening it can be very difficult to unclip, so watch out for that.

NB Make sure that you adjust both sides of both pedals. It is easy to forget and discover later that a foot unclips when it shouldn't, or doesn't unclip when it should! I made that mistake with a new pair of pedals. They came with release tensions super-tight so I slackened them off to be more usable. Unfortunately, I missed one of the bolts and ended up with a foot stuck on the pedal.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Yes, use an Allen key. It should be obvious if you look whilst not clipped in.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Yes, use an Allen key. It should be obvious if you look whilst not clipped in.

An important safety warning that is often overlooked.

Do not try to adjust the tension on your pedals while you are clipped in.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd echo @midlandsgrimpeur comment to check the cleat for wear.

 

[ColinJ]

An important safety warning that is often overlooked.

Do not try to adjust the tension on your pedals while you are clipped in.

Indeed.

It ranks in importance alongside "Do not stare down at your front derailleur while riding". Only a complete idiot would do that in traffic when approaching parked vehicles... I mean, an annoying noise from the bike can be safely diagnosed on a quiet road with no hazards ahead!

 

[Webbo2]

If they are Shimano double sided SPD’s with the metal cleats, they become harder to unclip when they are worn.

 

[Mazz]

If they are Shimano double sided SPD’s with the metal cleats, they become harder to unclip when they are worn.

Interesting, mine are Shimano and are having the opposite effect. I'll check exactly which ones I've got.