Just ended up on my arse with my bike on top of me in the wood trying to get over a big log

I knew I wasn’t going to make it so went to un-clip… fell off the log which added to the fall

The ‘issue’ has been on-going for a while

I fitted new cleats and while that helped, on occasion (just when you don’t need it) it happens

It’s also difficult to impossible to replicate

Do I just buy new pedals – they ‘look’ ok (M770 XT’s), but maybe quite old

*licks wounds with hot cuppa*

Is it difficult to unclip all the time or just some of the time?

Check release tension on pedals?

Dirty cleats?

Some of the time – and difficult to reproduce

The pedal tension I have un-wound all the way (which does make me question if this a cause)

Pedals and cleats clean

The pedal tension I have un-wound all the way (which does make me question if this a cause)

Quite likely with them backed all the way off it doesn’t take much wear to pedal or cleat to start getting occasional clipouts.
Also make sure you are not using the bi-directional cleats (sh56)

Pedals and cleats clean

Do you walk around much during/before rides? Maybe bits of grit getting into the cleat even though you started off with them clean (if you oil/grease the cleats might that make them stickier and worsen this ???)

Are the release claws straight and burr free.
Are the cleats on the right way round.
Does the sole of your shoe snag on the pedal. (Check for loose bits of sole)
Are you trying to roll your foot off the pedal rather than twist.

What, is there a left and right ?

Not that I’m aware of.
I’m guessing ghostlymachine is refering to front to back right way round

Yup, front and back. I’ve seen a few fitted back to front (usually after a few beers) they go in ok ish. But really don’t come out well at all……. Last one i saw the guy had to lie on the floor and undo his shoes while still clipped in.

Sound like it’s just a run of the mill SPD moment.
Normal happens just when you really really need to unclip quick.
Did anyone see it happen? 🙂

Try flicking ankle in rather than knee out. I find it much easier.

😆

My dog 🙂

Didn’t help me out of the brambles either

Brambles and your own dog laughing at you too.
Not your day mate. 😆

If you have to wind your pedals out to make them unclip it’s time for new ones imo. They wear like cleats do – I reckon I get about 3 years out of a set and I tend to go through a pair of shoes/cleats a year and by the 3rd set of cleats they’re about done.

Nick – yours sounds like the voice of sense to me

I’ve got a much newer pair somewhere which I’ll try on tonight’s ride