SPD (and jacket zip) problems

[TheBoyBilly]

What a commute. I have just ridden home from work and found that I have come adrift from my SPD cleat on one shoe leaving on bolt behind in the cleat which is still in the pedal. The other cleat is loose meaning I can't get the purchase to unclip but both bolts are still attached to the shoe which is hanging off the pedal! I am tired and need my bed so I thought I'd come on here to ask for suggestions before I try to fix things this afternoon. Do you think adjusting the pedal to it's loosest setting will help? (I suspect it may) I tried to have a go with a pair of pliars but I don't want to force things. As I said, I am tired and frightened I will do damage through impatience.
The other thing I've gone and done is pulled the zip up on my Altura Night Vision jacket and now I cannot move it - I had to slip the jacket over my head to get it off. The pull thingy has come off in my hand so I am just left with the little metal bit that draws the two sides together...but it won't budge. I'm sure there's an everyday tip for this fix somewhere.

Off to bed now.

Bill

 

[PatrickPending]

spd wise I'd loosen the clasp tension bolt so it was as loose as possible (3mm allen key on the rear of the clamp mechanism - anticlockwise to loosen) - don't know if it'll get loose enough for the cleat to fall out but should make it easier. Hopefully someone else will have a suggestion too.....

 

[2Loose]

Loosen the tension then try and use a screwdriver to lever the spring open to release the clip if it can gain purchase. I managed this with M520's, but I guess it will depend on the pedal. Either way, less tension will make it easier if it is possible at all.

As for the zip, perhaps you can get a keyring loop through the remains and use that as a pull?

 

[rusky]

The zip problem is common with the Altura Night Vision. I'm guessing you have the waterproof one rather than the windproof?

I had it happen on the front pocket when my phone was inside & pulled the tab off trying to get it open.

If it's still under warranty, tell the retailer & get a replacement. If not, then be careful you don't damage the zip or jacket, it is possible just needs patience.

I found that the small piece if fabric that covers the zip to keep things dry, sticks to the zip & won't allow the slider to pass under it. Possibly due to the glue getting hot & setting once cooled.

 

[ColinJ]

If it is a simple zip then you might get away with 2Loose's suggestion of a replacement pull.

That didn't work when I broke the pull on my fleece jacket because it had a spring-loaded 'brake' in the moving part of the fastener. Fortunately, I can operate that with the nail on my index finger. It's fiddly, but it meant that the jacket wasn't a write-off. (Or alternatively, needing money spent on a replacement zip.)

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Update. I loosened the setting on the pedals and removed one of the cleats. I am going to have to hacksaw through the bolts on the pedal with the shoe attached and get new bolts. Simple really but it took me all night (at work) to figure it out....doh! As for the zip, 2Loose's suggestion of attaching a keyring loop through the remainder of the gubbins looks a good idea.

Thanks folks, I knew I'd get good responses.

Bill

 

[2Loose]

What pedals are they TBB? There may be a 'trick' that you have missed.

 

[Fiona N]

If you've got a haberdashery shop anywhere near you (and I know they're a dying breed), you can usually buy replacement zip pullers for a pound or two. They come with 'jaws' which you close on the zipper head - usually needs a pair of pliers or similar.

The down side is that they may be in the shape of a dolphin/kitten/puppy/heart as they're made for decorating children's clothes

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Shimano M520s, 2Loose. I haven't gone at 'em with a saw yet If I could get something thin enough between the pedal and the shoe to grip the bolts I could then get enough purchase to 'unclip', but at the mo I am just twisting against the sole which won't do it a lot of good.

Bill

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Thank you Fiona, I might go down the 'puppy' route, lol

Bill

 

[2Loose]

M520! When this happened to me (2Loose by nature) due to loose cleat bolts, I had to;
1. Loosen the clip as much as possible by screwing the hex bolt in as much as possible.
2. Using an adjustable spanner to provide grip and leverage on the pedal.
3. I used a long thin hex key to lever the clip open while applying leverage to the spanner - allowing the cleat to fall out. A tent peg\screw driver or do - as thick as you can fit in between the pedal cage and axle with the cleat in place and as long as possible for extra leverage.

Picture attached.

 

[Globalti]

Those two bolts in the sole of the shoe need to be torqued up to what engineers call "feck-off tight" then a bit more to prevent them from undoing. You should be able to remove the cleat from the pedal by levering with a big screwdriver to get the jaws apart. Cn you remove the pedals and put them in a vice?

 

[TheBoyBilly]

I used your screwdriver technique in the end Globalti. It all went well and there seems to be no damage to the shoe plate. So I am now left with 2 cleats, 3 screws and one of those cleat adapter plates. I will buy a new set of cleats and keep these bits & pieces as spares. I take the point about tightening the cleat bolts but was warned about overtightening. Do you use a threadlock and if you do, which one is best?
I have to say that although I quite like riding clipless I am beginning to wonder whether they are worth the bother ( initial expense, special shoes, clipless moments etc) over conventional flat pedals (I am not a fan of cages and straps either) MacB maybe right after all.

That said, I shall persevere through the summer and make up my mind later whether to go back to conventional kit.

Bill