Time ATAC cleat modification

Hi,
any chance someone can post a picture of the mod to time ATAC cleats that improves thier release?

Have a new pair of Time ATAC Aliums and have been trying to break them in but am now convinced my left pedal is trying to kill me.

My right pedal is fine, clicks in and out sweet as pie, but my left pedal has a mind of its own. I've seen on a few forums that other people have had the same problem and have ground down certain edges of the cleat to improve the ease of release but all image references for this modification no longer exist.

Can someone please help? I am now suffering from severe damaged pride, not to mention bruised shoulder and hip from a number of 0 mph dismounts that I have experienced in the last week...

ps. There is no difference in set up between left and right cleats, i've doused the pedal in lubricant in case it was just a bit stiff and the sole of my shoe is not in the way... just in case you were wondering if that was the cause ;)

Just keep riding them. They'll wear in/out eventually.

obligatory learn to trackstand comment

Just replaced my cleats and set them up for extra float. Feels a bit weird on the left foot too. The cleats are too soft anyway, and wear quite quickly. Don't try to mod them. Just be aware and twist like fuck...

I found that pushing down on the pedal whilst twisting your ankle out quickly helps.

Just replaced my cleats and set them up for extra float. Feels a bit weird on the left foot too. The cleats are too soft anyway, a wear quite quickly. Don't try to mod them. Just be aware and twist like fuck...

What do you mean set them up for extra float? Do you have fancy ATACs or are you talking about the way you installed the cleats?

Just replaced my cleats and set them up for extra float. Feels a bit weird on the left foot too. The cleats are too soft anyway, and wear quite quickly. Don't try to mod them. Just be aware and twist like fuck...

sure, but the 'twist like fuck' sends my foot flying once it finally releases... basically the 'click' in and out is so violent it feels like i am gong to dislocate something and by the end of the ride my knee and ankle ache like hell...

No I've got atac xs. I'm riding on fat tyres and unclipped a couple of times so installed the cleats in the racing configuration.

@spokey, the push and twist suggested above prevents leg dislocation.

Did you install the cleats in racing config?

nope, have triple checked that, just in case. Its just the left pedal, the right is fine and behaving normally which is why I'm so confused about what the problem is.

I moved to ATAC from SPD, found the release to be fine- albeit much more noisy.

Changed shoes from S-Works to Sidi and found the release much more difficult purely due to the design of the sole.

I'm now used to it and they are fine- in fact I need to pick up some new cleats as mine are worn.

Have you got the release tension set at minimum on the left pedal?

I've been having difficulty with my Time ATAC Roc pedals. Compared to my old SPDs they actually have a lot less float, and I've been getting aching knees and ankles for days after riding. This impression might be because my old SPDs pedals/cleats were quite worn, I suppose. Also, my shoes have some tread which probably means that once you clip in, the tread kind of holds your foot in one position.

The Time pedals have become easier to use, though, and I do like the positive feeling and the slightly more connected feel to the pedals. But they still don't match the ease of clipping in and out that SPDs have.

Have you got the release tension set at minimum on the left pedal?

Aliums don't have adjustable tension, you can only swap the cleats over more larger/smaller angle of release.

I can only suggest to keep using them, they should become easier over time.

Can your rotate the cleats in your shoes? If so, you could try rotating the left cleat slightly so that it's pointing more towards your big toe of your left foot, meaning you'll have to rotate your foot slightly less to unclip. This shouldn't have too much effect on general use as they have loads of float anyway...

There are two ways to install them.. use the easier one if you're a pussy, unco, chicken, etc.
Use the 'normal' one if you are having regular consenting sex.
I noticed very little difference between SPD and ATACs.
I noticed very little difference between Discovery and Honeydew.

Can your rotate the cleats in your shoes? If so, you could try rotating the left cleat slightly so that it's pointing more towards your big toe of your left foot, meaning you'll have to rotate your foot slightly less to unclip. This shouldn't have too much effect on general use as they have loads of float anyway...

yeah, thought of that only my shoes don't allow much rotation :( ...

however, if someone knows how to get the sliding bolt plate out of my shoe so i can split it in half then I could get the rotation needed to improve things... any suggestions?

Don't know if this is related, but I initially had a problem with not enough rotational space around the cleat to be able to unclip properly - ie. the raised sole around the cleat limited how much I could twist my foot. I took a stanley knife to the sole and carved out a bit of sole - this fixed the problem. After even a little wear I find Time ATAC's release real easy, so maybe this is your problem?