How to remove a cleat from a pedal - with no tools

[snapper_37]

For some reason my cleat has removed itself from my shoe whilst still clipped in the pedal. Very inconvenient this morning, just a mile in to the commute.

Anyone know how I can get this out with limited tools. I dont have a pair of pliers and my little in-all-in one kit doesn't seem to be doing the job.

Thanks

 

[Hacienda71]

What type of cleat is it? With a road cleats I would suggest releasing the clip in tension as far as you can, you can get them out by hand although it is not easy. Can't help with an Spd sorry.

 

[yello]

Depending on the type of pedal you have, it MAY be possible to reattach the shoe to the cleat (using the cleat bolts from the other shoe if necessary) .

I don't recommend trying to take the pedal apart, some of them will not reassemble.

 

[Bman]

I used a small allen key to lever the cleat out of the pedal. Although, mine was still attached to the shoe with one bolt. (SPD's BTW)

 

[totallyfixed]

What I love about CC is the huge range of situations / problems / solutions you come across, and this is a first. If you have no tools go to your nearest garage, 2 sec job. Then get yourself some tools

 

[PpPete]

I've had this on SPDs.
Back the adjustment right off, then lever it off sideways with a screwdriver. If you don't have either suitable allen-key or screwdriver, get a taxi home !

 

[mickle]

I'd really like to know the cause of this failure - did the bolts shear or come loose over time?

 

[HLaB]

I was a ride with a fellow forumer a while back when they had a cleat bolt failure; I think I eased off the limit screw and twisted it out with the multi tool.

 

[snapper_37]

I'd really like to know the cause of this failure - did the bolts shear or come loose over time?

Panic over but I had to get the engineer here to use an adjustable spanner thingy and twist it out like a foot would. I dont fancy cycling to work with one foot again.

Mickle - I don't know - I just felt it wasn't right this morning as my foot was all over the shop. I couldnt get my foot out so stopped and took my foot out of the shoes and basically had to twiddle with the shoe until it came away.

The engineer has only pulled off the cleat and bolts but no plate so don't know where that's gone. Going to try and get my cleat off my spare shoe or just wear the spare shoes. The shoes I was wearing this morning were ebay jobbies which Ive worn with new cleats for a week. P'raps the fastening to the one shoe is naff???

 

[zacklaws]

I once fitted my cleat to the pedal, just to see how it works and was then stumped how to remove it. It was only through brute force, twisting it with my hand I managed it after a lot of effort. I never did it again

 

[citybabe]

I used an adjustable spanner when it happened to me. I was 10 miles from home and had limited tools with me so I just had to put up with the strange feel while I was pedaling.

I now check my cleats on a more regular basis

 

[Soltydog]

I once fitted my cleat to the pedal, just to see how it works and was then stumped how to remove it.

I think it must be a bloke thing. I've not done it with cleats & pedals, but have done it with various things over the years to see how they worked & not always managed to get things back together

 

[snapper_37]

I once fitted my cleat to the pedal, just to see how it works and was then stumped how to remove it. It was only through brute force, twisting it with my hand I managed it after a lot of effort. I never did it again

Did you also shove pencils up your nose as a child .... just to see what would happen?

Thanks citybabe - will definitely be checking them on a more regular basis from now on!

 

[Scoosh]

I was a ride with a fellow forumer a while back when they had a cleat bolt failure; I think I eased off the limit screw and twisted it out with the multi tool.

Puts hand up to confess

.

In some torrential rain, HLaB and I took refuge in a bus shelter, whereupon I almost had a clipless moment as I realised my SPD cleat was not releasing. Took the shoe off and wiser, more experienced HLaB removed the shoe from the pedal for me.

I was mightily relieved.

The screws holding the cleats in place had come loose and the cleat wouldn't release.

As has been said, check the screws are done up tight. Some Loctite (the one which 'sets' the screw in place not the perma-bond one) is well worth considering.

 

[Edwardoka]

I wish I'd read this thread before nearly taking my eye out when the stuck cleat, bolts and spacer released all their tension with a massive ping...