Enjoyed riding in the snow today except my SPDs kept clogging with ice and I couldn't clip back in. Any way of dealing with this (apart from bunnyhopping snowdrifts and gates to avoid getting off the bike)?
I find good spray of gt85 stops them icing for a good while but eventually its just stamp in and out a few times.
dont ride in snow?...
Doubt there's anything you can do pre-ride that would stop it. Had similar riding experience today...I just stamped the pedal a couple of times before clipping in which seem to clear the cleat and pedal enough
Ditch the SPDs and switch to Time.
I use times, but put the flats on for riding in the snow
Flat pedals and wellies
I always cover them in wd40 or something.
Doubt it makes much difference, but it's the thought that counts.
GT85 should work or you could try silicone spray.
Simon is right. The answer is to find some Times.
silicone spray. or wee. at regular intervals
Has anyone tried a nice coating of vaseline? I might give it a try tomorrow. It works fine in my imagination.
Just poke it out with a stick - I went out for a few hours and had to do this once or twice. I really dont see it as a problem, takes a min to do mid ride, only if you unclip of course. Had I not fallen off in the woods several times I would not have needed to do it.
So dont unclip !
wee. at regular intervals
Aim and frostbite might have been an issue in the Arctic gale I was riding in...
Just stay clipped in from. The start
Mallets or candies
Take a lighter with you and you can melt the ice if it properly clogs up 🙂
just hope the body doesn't fall of the spindle.Mallets or candies
You could try a thin layer of grease, vaseline or similar. Maybe heat some grease gently and brush on to get a nice thin film.
THE FLAMER WINS IT!!
Ride flats for the weekend
Mallets or candies
just hope the body doesn't fall of the spindle.
Never had that on 8 sets of them. The newer versions are better too.
(6 of the 8 still in use) perfect in snow, mud and everything else.
No problems this evening with my spd's this evening. A good clatter soon shifts most of the compacted snow.
Solved the problem by not stopping or falling off.
Times
Has anyone tried a nice coating of vaseline? I might give it a try tomorrow. It works fine in my imagination.
Good suggestion for pedals, but just how does your imagination get clogged with snow, better yet how do you apply vaseline to it?
Don't unclip?
SPDs sound like an equipment upgrade towering above your level of skill
Eggbeaters. Excellent in icy conditions. No build up, unlike spds.
Mallets or candies
just hope the body doesn't fall of the spindle.
Never had that on 8 sets of them. The newer versions are better too.
(6 of the 8 still in use) perfect in snow, mud and everything else.
then just hope you don't break a spindle in half either.. 😉
ss candys FWIW. put a hole in the side of my formerly waterproof and fairly new shimano boot, too. 😕
Times are very good but are still defeated by compacted ice on a freezing ride, hugely better than old style shimano SPD's, can't see the new ones being that much better but no experience to be fair. If you can get a good pair of eggbeaters (rare as hens teeth) they work even better, as the frozen ice can be pushed through the cage, at least thats my interpretation of why a m8's pedals work better than mine (in the snow & when there not in bits)
Kick/stamp/flick the pedal hard.
Just stamp shoes against pedal a few times and all the ice drops off. Never had a problem with it...
Spray non-stick cooking spray on the cleat and pedal.
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Can of de-icer, lock sized, is small enough to carry around. Not exactly environmentally friendly, but works a treat. A pre-spray of cleats and pedals before setting off works well too.
Dig out those old bear traps for snow rides, that's what I do.
Went around Gisburn on tuesday and my friend's front mech froze. I offered to have a wee on it but he declined. Would work just as well for spd's. 🙂
Don't clip out so often!
Should have read this before I went out. Just had 2 hours of fun in the snow but nightmare trying to keep the spd's fee. As others said, don't put your foot down but easier said that done at the moment! I gave up after an hours or so and was thankful that I am riding trails spd's at the moment. I have been struggling to get in with in normal conditions but today they were a blessing!
Just been out and had this very problem. Tried a stick and spraying my camelback water on them and then just resorted to stamping on them but did think wish I had some vodka in my camelbak (or water bottle if you want to stay sober) to give them a quirt with would be handy.
- Tried GT40, lovely and smooth to begin with but soon didn't work
- Tried clipping out less often and being less unskilled at bunnyhopping gates and fallen trees but failed miserably, presumably due to being soft and not going out on a unicycle
- Tried stamping and kicking a lot (and I mean a lot) and it worked for a while
- Having a screwdriver or other pokey thing in a readily accessible front pocket worked best for me
Not usually a flats rider but if i do ride again like yesterday,
11 miles in 3 hours. I'll be on flats and waterproof hiking boots.
Don't think I'd have made it up some of the hills on the SS yesterday without SPDs. Mind you, walking would've been quicker, if not as character-building.
Time is the answer. Either wait until the snow melts or buy some Time pedals.
Has anyone tried a nice coating of vaseline? I might give it a try tomorrow. It works fine in my imagination.
😯
*Morning Kryton :-)*
After yesterday's slog, I think the only solution would be to ride flats.
Think that's what I'll be doing next time.
I use Mallets on all my 3 bikes and compacting was still a bit of a problem, tho maybe not as bad as SPD. Will try GT85.
GT87 seemxed to work for a bit yesterday but not much after one hour. Then stamp plus Allen key, plus avoid up clipping at all costs!!! None work 100% IMO sadly.
SPDs sound like an equipment upgrade towering above your level of skill
🙂
You have to be GW with a comment like that. If not you're a worthy replacement...
Try not to stamp down on the pedals when you clip in. Give the pedals a bang with the shoe, then try to clip in. If that doesn't work, try again. Pressing down on the pedal hard will turn the snow to ice, which won't shift. Best to keep it all fluffy and light touch.
Crank Brothers pedals here too.
At one point on the ride I was cursing being unable to clip in due to snow on my boots, haveing never used shimano in the snow I'd no idea it could be worse than this minor inconvenience (remedied by bashing boots back allong the pedal, then forewards to clip in) untill I saw the trouble others were having!
I've destroyed one pair, but they did last 4 muddy years as my only SPD style pedals, and if I'd been less maintenance shy a rebuild kit when they started to wobble would have saved the walk home.
I stuck some bits of foam next to the cleat and was still able to clip in and worked well till they fell off after an hour.Might have to try another adhesive!
I was going to say PAM or any spray-on cooking oil. works a treat 8)
*feels smug that chose bike with flats already fitted for yesterday's ride*....Noted PAM spray, my mums called Pam, and I wouldn't spray her anywhere near any of my bikes!!! 😈
Simon - Member
Ditch the SPDs and switch to Time.
Well after riding in the snow this week I'm going to admit I was wrong, Times aren't the answer 😐 I've had loads of trouble getting clipped into my Aliums after getting snow in my cleats.
I'll be on flats for my next ride in the snow.
My Time Zs were fine in the snow, ice and slush mix on Tuesday. Occasionally needed a double kick to get in - 1 to clear the pedal / cleat, 1 to engage the pedal.
I would suggest flats, but the optimum solution is a pair of these:
http://www.rottefella.no/en/Products/Telemark/Super-Telemark/