When they squeak, it's time for new cleats.
Everyone listened to squeak - squeak - squeak, from one person in the front row, for the entire two hour endurance ride Amy and I taught on New Year's day. I knew exactly what was causing it and it was everything I could do not to go down and ask this person to leave. It was driving me crazy!
The culprit; worn Look cleats 🙁
After class I explained to him that the trouble was his cleats were worn out. I asked that he replace them before the next class. His response was that he thought it was something with the bike. I told him how I have used Look pedals for years and the squeak they make when worn out was unmistakable.
"I'll spray them with something... so they don't make noise."
While this sounds like a reasonable solution, I advised him against it telling him it's a real safety issue. You never want to spray a lubricant on Look cleats because:
- They release very unpredictably, often with only a small percentage of the twisting force needed when "dry"
- Hardwood floors and slippery shoes don't mix 🙁
- They need to be replaced, so why delay the inevitable?
While I'm on the subject: when was the last time someone tested and adjusted the release tension on the bikes in your studio? SPD cleats, while not having the wear issues of Look cleats, still need to be checked for the proper release tension. I have found that the easiest way to do this is to take a shoe with new cleats and, holding the shoe with your hand, test that they engage and release with a reasonable amount of effort. Try it on a few and you will quickly learn what feels right.
It just may prevent an injury during one of your big sprint finishes!
One last thing ... for years clubs using the Schwinn Triple Link pedals (the Red Pedals with the removable shoe baskets) purposely set the release tension very low. This was so Instructors could remove shoe baskets without hurting themselves but in the process created a potential safety hazard. Now that my Red Pedal Tool for Schwinn Triple Link Pedals is available there is no reason not to set these pedals correctly.
I found that SportSmith.com has the best pricing on indoor cycling bike replacement Schwinn Triple link Pedals
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
- ICI Podcast 234 Coaching (not teaching) a class with cadence - January 13, 2025
- ICI/Podcast 128 Introducing Threshold Field Testing to your class with Karen Bernardo - January 4, 2025
- Indoor Cycling Class As One Long Climb – Very Nice! - December 29, 2024
That’s a great bit of advice about the LOOK cleats, both in knowing what is causing the squeaking, and to not to try using a lube to deal with the issue. I know tht LOOKs are the cleat/pedal of choice for many road riders, but I’ve always felt there are just two kinds of folks who use them: 1) Those folks who have slipped on a hard-surfaced floor; 2)Folks who will eventually sip on a hard-surfaced floor.
The club that I teach at has the M3 Keisers(sans computers), so we just have the SPD/ToeClip pedals to deal with. Given my attitude about LOOKs, I’m not disappointed about it (although I love your Red Pedal Tool). However, on many of the bikes, the tension on the SPDs is very, very tight, and beginners have a hard time clipping in/clipping out at first. Even after getting used to clipping in, some folks just take their feet out of the shoes at the end of the ride and manually twist the shoes from the SPD pedal.
The mounting for the toe clip blocks easy/any(?) access to the tension bolt on the SPD side. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get an allen wrench in there and adjust the tension – short of taking off the toe clip mount?
Barry
Barry,
I use the same byke, and I have that problem. i have to get off the byke and check the participants in socks.
Barry,
I use the same bike, and I have that problem pedal tension is a big issue. I have to get off the bike and check the participants in socks.