Pedal unclipping when skidding

Hi!

I've been using clipless pedals (Shimano M520) on my everyday fixed gear commuter since January. I was quite pleased the first few months, but by May I started to have some unclipping issues when skidding (even when they were were fully tightened).

I thought the reason could be that I was using multi-release cleats, so I replaced them with single release cleats. After that, everything seemed alright until a few weeks ago, when I started experiencing again this unclipping issues.

It only happens with the left pedal, which is the one I unclip in the red lights, so my guess is it's happening because the cleat is worn, although it only has a couple of months of use.

Despite this issue I'm really happy with SPDs, but I don't want to be replacing the cleats every couple of months, so I'm thinking about going back to regular pedals + toeclips and straps, but I would like to hear your opinions in case I'm doing something wrong.

I've also heard that Atac's don't have this issue, but I'd also like to hear experiences using them and the life of the cleats.

Thanks!

Just stock up on a bunch of cleats when they're on sale at Wiggle surely? Even full price they're about £10 a pop. £5 each time you wear one out hardly seems an expensive option for a few months use - you also get spares when you buy new pedals etc. etc. - it's not hard to collect a few spares...

EDIT: Assume you're talking SPDs - rather than SPD-SL?

Are you twisting your heel away slightly from center as you skid to swing the back out?

the cleat is worn
Try tightening the pedal too.

It could be worth checking that your cleats are perfectly aligned so they're right in the middle of the SPD while you're pedalling normally. That will give you the greatest leeway in each direction before they unclip.

Funnily enough I had to tighten my pedals (m520's) this morning.

As the cleat wears you up the pedal tension or like RJB said stock up.

Are you using the wellgo cleats over the shimano ones?

They wear at an alarming rate.

Try new cleats and turning up the tension to max, if this doesn't work try time ATACs.

Just stock up on a bunch of cleats when they're on sale at Wiggle surely? Even full price they're about £10 a pop. £5 each time you wear one out hardly seems an expensive option for a few months use - you also get spares when you buy new pedals etc. etc. - it's not hard to collect a few spares...

EDIT: Assume you're talking SPDs - rather than SPD-SL?

It´s not a money thing, it´s just that having to replace the cleats every 2 or 3 months gets quite annoying. If I have to do that, I´d rather change to a system that works properly and needs less manteinance.

Are you twisting your heel away slightly from center as you skid to swing the back out?

Could be, but if this was the case it should have been happening from the beggining, not months after using them every day.

Try tightening the pedal too.

As I´ve said the pedals are tightened to the max. I´ve been tightening more and more as the unclipping became more usual.

It could be worth checking that your cleats are perfectly aligned so they're right in the middle of the SPD while you're pedalling normally. That will give you the greatest leeway in each direction before they unclip.

I´ll check that. Thanks!

Funnily enough I had to tighten my pedals (m520's) this morning.

As the cleat wears you up the pedal tension or like RJB said stock up.

Are you using the wellgo cleats over the shimano ones?

They wear at an alarming rate.

Yeah, they are some spare Wellgos that I had laying around. I also have some unused Shimanos somewhere.

You think Shimanos will last quite more than WGs?

Try new cleats and turning up the tension to max, if this doesn't work try time ATACs.

I know if I replace the new cleats they´ll work properly, but not for too long.

How long do Time cleats last until they start to unclip? Is it worthy changing from SPD to Atacs (in terms of skidding)?

People say time cleats don't last as well but I seem to get ~10 months before I replace my cleats, I've not had to replace them but I choose to.

^^ Werd! I had exactly the same problem with Shimano SPDs. I've just switched to Time ATACs on the advice of Indra, Seven04 & a few others ... the problem has gone.

I think I´ll give a try to the Atacs if I find a cheap pair in the forum.

Definitely get time ATACs, I used to unclip all the time with SPDs then got atacs and havent unclipped since

ATAC cleats do look more robust that SPDs. Ive not had any issues with fixed skiding and SPDs, but your issues are probably a combination of everything mentioned above. Would be interested if your problems are solved with ATACs tho!

[QUOTE=madman;4357841]It´s not a money thing, it´s just that having to replace the cleats every 2 or 3 months gets quite annoying. If I have to do that, I´d rather change to a system that works properly and needs less manteinance.

That would be a front brake.

Switching from sh56 to sh51 solved my problem