Left foot un-clip problem

[hayleyearth]

I had a ligament operation in my left ankle a few years ago (inner and outer ligaments), but never regained the full ‘turning angles’.

 

Now I can not unclip my left foot with the normal Shimano clipless pedals – set most open.

 

I would like some advice; has anyone here experience this and/or have a solution?

 

Apparently an ‘egg beater’ will help? Wat negatives does this pedal have?

[Minion]

Which Shimano pedals are you using? If you've got the M505s that come standard on many MTBs, that could be part of the problem - those pedals are nasty.

 

You could also try rotating your cleat a bit - you'd then not have to turn your foot as far before it unclips. Just be a bit careful with this solution - if you start getting pain or discomfort, you may have rotated it too far.

[dirtrider]

Like Edman said turning you cleats could cause other problems , like your knees . Not to sure if Eggbeaters are easier to unclip but surely easier to clip into .

[Tumbleweed]

I had a similar problem after suffering muscular haematomas to both ankles in a car crash. Couldn't get either foot out. Problem solved as my ankles got stronger.

[SwissVan]

Egg beaters tend to wear out quick - Or so I have been told from others who use them.

 

Maybe as TW posted it will improve as your ankles get stronger, maybe ask your physio for some specific exercise to improve strength and felxability?

[SeaBee]

Try spraying some Q20 on the spring area, worked for me. Where previously I struggled to clip out, it's very quick and easy now.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a pedal expert, so at own risk! But did it on a whim and worked fine for me, otherwise I was heading for other pedals anyways...

[timM]

Try spraying some Q20 on the spring area, worked for me. Where previously I struggled to clip out, it's very quick and easy now.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a pedal expert, so at own risk! But did it on a whim and worked fine for me, otherwise I was heading for other pedals anyways...

I agree, but take care to wipe the Q20 off the outer part of the pedal before riding - it can get quite slick!

[Sawdust]

Egg beaters unclip a bit easier but the angle you have to twist your ankle is larger. I prefer Shimano since the angle is smaller and therefore I can unclip faster in an emergency (had a few in the last months).

[AndreZA]

Can't you file away the inside of the cleat. The part that is used to pry open the clamps when you wan to unclip. Keep the outside lips so that you can still clip in though.

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I went from Shimano to Crank Brothers earlier this year and they are much easier to unclip. Considering that I sprained my ankle during the week I upgraded I can tell you that CBs are much easier on the foot.

 

No need to blow a fortune as I got these for about R250 landed from CRC: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54823

[Eldron]

A lot of people I've seen seem to slowly turn their ankle to uncleat - that is the hard way to do it. Try bending your knee out then whipping your ankle quickly in a sideways/downwards ninja style heel kick.

 

I ride my SPD tension quite high and battle to uncleat using only my ankle...

[hayleyearth]

whipping your ankle quickly in a sideways/downwards ninja style heel kick.

 

 

 

This sounds like exactly like the thing I can not do and DON'T WANT TO DO!

This will mean a swollen ankle before the end of the race and out for the next week or two.

 

Also, I know all about the ninja style heel kick - that gave me a springbok on my chest.

 

But thank you for the reply, this sounds to be an option for other people without any screws in their ankles.

[Just Keep Pedaling]

My wife went through a couple different pedals because of struggling to decleat. She eventually settled on the stainless steel Eggbeaters.

[Meis]

I had some crack brother cleats (by mistake) at one stage even though my pedals were Shimano. They are similar but don't have the wings in the top corners. I only realized when they started wearing slightly and I couldn't get them to stay clipped in anymore no matter how tight I made the pedal.

 

Maybe this could work to your advantage. If not, you've only spend R100 testing it

[AndreZA]

When SPDs get worn down and with little clamp tension, you can actually unclip by yanking you foot straight up.

[Aggies]

Agree that Crank Brothers is way easier to clip in and out than SPD. Also don't find the problem when there is a lot of mud as with SPD. Last week I saw "new" pedals (something box) at Epic Cycles in Centurion that looks quite similar to Speedplay pedals on the Road and they claim that these is even 100% easier to clip in and out than CB. Maybe worthwile invetigating.

 

What I have found is that all pedals is "hard" to unclip while under power. It seems "difficult", but if you just drop the "power" for that split second, it is like much easier and faster. The problem is to "remember" and time this in an emergency.