Creaking in pedals.

[false_aesthetic]

Hey,

I'm using a pair of Look 396s. I bought a pair of the new teflon blahblahblah cleats for them and mounted them on a pair of carbon soled Northwaves.

They worked great until I did 40 miles in the rain. Now I've got some hella wicked madd creaking in my right shoe.

It's hard to isolate where on the shoe/pedal it's coming from but if I were to venture a guess I'd say front area.

I checked out my shoes and noticed that there's some scraping happening on the sole right where the nose of the cleat clicks in---this isn't happening on the left hand side.

Of course I can ride with the creak but I'd prefer not to (it seems to me that unless you're about to win a race, riding with a creak is decidedly "un-pro" or something. And, while I'm definitely not "pro" I do enjoy fantasizing about making out with podium girls while I'm rocking intervals---the creaking interrupts my fantasies).

I've already tightened down the cleats. Before I try anything else --like rubbing my shoes with a scented candle-- I thought I'd ask.


Thoughts?

Thanks
T

[hampco]

if you can't fix the problem by replacing the cleats then i'm guessing the pedals are worn out. i'll bet you set down the right foot at traffic lights, right? more wear = more creakage.

[WadePatton]

Of course I can ride with the creak but I'd prefer not to (it seems to me that unless you're about to win a race, riding with a creak is decidedly "un-pro" or something. And, while I'm definitely not "pro" I do enjoy fantasizing about making out with podium girls while I'm rocking intervals---the creaking interrupts my fantasies).

I've already tightened down the cleats. Before I try anything else --like rubbing my shoes with a scented candle-- I thought I'd ask.


Thoughts?

Thanks
T

Simplify dude, just imagine going a bit further with the PG's and that the furniture is creaking--not a pedal.:D:D:D

[false_aesthetic]

Hey,

The cleats are relatively new: probably have about 500 miles on them--creaking started about 150 miles ago (week and a half ago).

I generally unclip my left (non-creaking) foot. But more often than not I track-stand.

And while the pedals are "old" I highly doubt they have over 5k miles on them.

Attached is the scratch marks found on the right shoe.

[false_aesthetic]

Simplify dude, just imagine going a bit further with the PG's and that the furniture is creaking--not a pedal.:D:D:D

Wr0d! That's TOTALLY PRO!!! I mean, Hincapie is doin' the same thing right?!?!

[Mabouya]

Before I try anything else --like rubbing my shoes with a scented candle--

That's what I use (except that the hunk of candle is not scented). Sometimes it will only work for two rides, sometimes it will work for months. (How's that for correlation?) If you're out on a ride and it's really driving you nuts use nose oil. Cleaning the pedal and cleat (light sandpaper) before applying the wax will also help.

[bobscott]

I have had good, but temporary, luck with two things on this.

Clean the cleats well, especially try to get the black residue off the back of the cleats.

NAPA sells a stick lubricant that will also help and increases the time between cleanings but can build up a residue. Silicone spray works for a couple of rides.

Put the shoe in the pedal and push and tug on it to duplicate the noise and find where it is coming from. Mine was always from the back of the left cleat.

Hate those creaks, hope this helps,
bobscott

[Sandy]

Assuming that you have another pair of shoes, I would try riding with another pair of shoes just a bit to be sure the problem is shoe/cleat related.


Shoeless Sandy

[Fixed]

french trick
bar hand soap rub your cleats with it

cheers
butch