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    Is clipping out supposed to require this amount of force on the easiest setting?

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    16 Comments

    3. BD59 on

      If you do it slow like that, yes. It’ll loosen up a little as the pedals break in.

      Ultegra is a higher end part and is usually for someone with some experience. Lower level pedals take a bit less effort.

    5. Masseyrati80 on

      I always keep my pedal/cleat interface lubricated. My damaged knees would pop if my pedals put in this much resistance, but while it may sound weird, a touch of lubrication can have a huge difference. I pretty much use a very, very thin layer of the same stuff I lube my chains with.

    7. ActualOpposite7904 on

      Shimano are a different technique to get out of. You need to give a quick, sharp twist. Silicone spray will help, but that’s the way they are.

    9. Squinty_the_artist on

      A little more quick on the “kick” outward will help you disengage better. Especially if you’re using the 6 deg float (yellow) cleats, they tend to feel gummy and get stuck going slow.

    11. MEINSHNAKE on

      I normally suggest mountain style pedals for beginners to clip less because they can be set much easier (yes, even on road bikes)… but you will get used to these pretty quick, it’s worth sticking it out and learning.

    12. TylerDenniston on

      Unclip with your heel below the ball of your foot. It will take some of the “slack” out of your ankle joint and make it easier

    13. Infamous_Air9247 on

      Ultegra is a racing part so the easiest setting is a bit stiff. Cheaper non series like pd r540 (the metal ones) do unclip easier and was another version of the same model with even easier undoing cant recall the name now. But near in mind the very easy is unwanted sometimes since it can unclip on really bad situation when you aplly some force ie out of saddle and then you will fall bad.

      So practice the beforehand unclipping have the less dominant foot unclipped and ready on stops traffic lights etc.

    15. RichOk9799 on

      i’m also finding it a little bit “harder” when unclipping while standing still rather than rolling slowly to a stop because while rolling i can push (or stomp??) then twist to unclip. Don’t worry, it will be your second nature!

    16. Papilio77 on

      Former professional touring guide here—but not a wrench so take it FWIW. In my decades of experience I found when putting new pedals and new cleats together, it can take a while for them to break in and they give you inconsistent releases in the meantime. It’s not even that their stiff, it’s like they are sometimes really stiff and the rest of the time okay… so if it’s when you roll up to a stop sign with loaded panniers, Murphy’s law dictates you’ll get stuck! Loll So to remedy this I used to take a light file to the shoe side of the leading edge of my new cleats when getting new pedals—google it , I’m sure there’s lots online. I otherwise liked using old cleats (even if new shoes) until I felt the springs in the pedals were giving me a consistent feel. But yeah, I felt wearing a tiny little bit off the edges of the cleats was a safety measure in the meantime. Cleats are cheap, I wouldn’t eff with pedals that cost a few hundred…

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