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vertical play with SPD pedals

preppie

preppie

Monkey
Aug 30, 2002
379
0
Europe
Hello,

I switched from Crank Bros Mallets C to Shimano PD M540 pedals with the single release 51 cleats.
My Pedals and cleats are brand new

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.image.+media+images+cycling+products+actionsports+PD+PD-M540_600x450_v1_m56577569830637306_dot_jpg.bm.512.384.gif


I have the BMX style Shimano SH-MP65 shoe.

http://www.fa-technik.adfc.de/Hersteller/Shimano/I/SH-MP65.jpg



The sole is not really stiff, but with my CB mallets this was never a problem.
With my new M540 pedals there is this really irritating clicking sound and play on the upstroke.
When I pull my foot up in any position the play is noticable.
I know the M540 has some horizontal play, but it shouldn't have any vertical play.
The play and clicking on the upstroke drives me nuts.

Will a shoe with a stiff carbon sole fix this problem ?
 
zebrahum

zebrahum

Monkey
Jun 22, 2005
401
0
SL,UT
How is the tension on the springs set? If they're too loose you might get some play. Remember to adjust both sides equally, they don't always come set up properly out of the box.

I don't think a stiff shoe will change how the cleat interfaces with the pedal, but I don't have any experience with that shoe.
 
djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,012
1,704
Northern California
Weird. You may want to check tension as previously posted. I've never tried BMX style SPD shoes, but I've never run into a vertical play or clicking issue with the non-BMX style variety.
 
preppie

preppie

Monkey
Aug 30, 2002
379
0
Europe
gurp said:
Weird. You may want to check tension as previously posted...
Click to expand...
I've tried the hardest-softest-middel setting and there's always vertical play.
Loosened everything and set it back to the maximum setting...still play.
I've tried my friends 770 pedals and the play is even (a little) worse.
So it must be my shoes, because the cleats are brand new.

But I still can't figure out how a shoe with a stiff sole can fix this?
Anyone ?

thx
 
pedalmunky

pedalmunky

Monkey
Jan 15, 2007
124
0
Man...I had a pair of those back in the day. First pair of clipless shoes for me, as a matter of fact. Loved those shoes - first mountain bike, first trail ride, first road trip to Colorado - ah, memories! Paired up with the old 646 pedals with the red platform, I rocked those for years.

But that might be your problem. If you've been using those since 2001 you're probably gonna feel some kind of play.
 
frango

frango

Turbo Monkey
Jun 13, 2007
1,454
5
Isn't it caused by the shape of an outsole? As far as I know, these pedals are not made for such shoes and vice-versa. You usually use clipless platforms with BMX (DX) shoes. The cage of the pedal supports the shoe.
However, I have been using both Shimano DX and 661 Launch shoes with Shimano PD-M545/424, M647 and X-pedo M-force pedals and I have never experienced any vertical play...
If You need light, mid size clipless pedals, try Syncors AM-Traverse. Size similar to CB Acid, 320g pair!, carbon-nylon composite construction.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
frango said:
Isn't it caused by the shape of an outsole? As far as I know, these pedals are not made for such shoes and vice-versa. You usually use clipless platforms with BMX (DX) shoes. The cage of the pedal supports the shoe.
However, I have been using both Shimano DX and 661 Launch shoes with Shimano PD-M545/424, M647 and X-pedo M-force pedals and I have never experienced any vertical play...
If You need light, mid size clipless pedals, try Syncors AM-Traverse. Size similar to CB Acid, 320g pair!, carbon-nylon composite construction.
Click to expand...
This is what I have seen when selling shoe and pedal combo's. That shoe will work best with one of these three SPD shoes

The Shimano 545
The shimano 424
The Shimano 647

Of coarse the mallot will work as well too, having the cleat height adjustable Via shimpack.
 
preppie

preppie

Monkey
Aug 30, 2002
379
0
Europe
I have my shoes since 2002, so they are pretty worn.
I also had the 646 pedals with the red platform and liked them,
but the Mallet's just felt better (and I believed the CB hype).

My pedals are brand new, so I'm lookung for new shoes.
The best choice is probably a more XC oriented shoe with a carbon or hard sole.
Gonna check what Shimano suggests with the 540 pedals.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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