The look cleats probably simply broke.

I am another example of a reason to check cleats/pedals: Shimano SPD's. They weren't anywhere close to breaking, and didn't even look worn. But maybe 1/3 tension(on the pedal back plate screw), a wear ridge (the worn part...) , a little bit of grit was enough to get one shoe not to release in a fall. A half a second later my knee/body is 80 degrees over and my foot ain't. This is serious stuff and I almost lost my foot/ lower leg...

I have noticed the mtb SPDs have had a design change... so they are probably safer, but I now ride with round edges and brass cleats (eggbeaters...) They seem to have a large enough release angle too that I have never had an issue with them coming out. I mean even less so than any other pedal i have ridden (look, spd-sl, spds, time..). they aren't without problems of course, getting them setup properly, especially if you aren't bowlegged or have toe-out feet, and depending on shoe type, can be difficult.




"Jason A. Skelton" wrote:
As a red look cleat wearer that is probably too cheap for his own good, what happened with the cleat? Did his foot spontaneously come off the pedal? Do tell .. .

Curt Dewees wrote: I've always ridden red Look cleats, ever since I got into road biking,
but after what happened to Ken F. and to Steve H. (both very strong
and very experienced racers, by the way!), I'm thinking of switching
to Speedplay. More metal, less plastic = mo' betta!

CD

On 7/30/07, STEVEN R HOLLAND wrote:
> Ken,
>
> I second your recommendation!!
>
> I spent 5 days in the hospital last year for the exact same reason....worn
> Look cleats.
>
> Check your cleats right now, better yet replace them.
>
>
> Ken Finch wrote:
> I just wanted to post a big thanks to all the folks at PIR who helped me out
> after my crash last week. I don't know anyone's name that stopped to help me
> out but I appreciate everyone's care and attention. It was real showing of
> what by now seems to be selflessness and attention that is standard from the
> OBRA folks and the racing community.
>
> I can also heartily recommend OHSU for all your emergency care and surgery
> needs. Everyone I dealt with there was great from the doctors on down.
>
> Finally a friendly word of advice; my crash resulted in a broken clavicle, 7
> broken ribs, a broken pelvis and the usual road rash, all of which could
> have been avoided if I'd replaced my Look cleat as soon as I had an inkling
> it was worn out, instead of thinking 'aw, it'll be ok for one more race'.
> So...check those cleats!
>
> Anyway, thanks again to everybody! See you at the cross races!
>
> Ken Finch
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>
>
> STEVEN R HOLLAND
> 17203 SE 30TH ST
> VANCOUVER,WA 98683
> C-503-780-7296
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john m schmidt, pe
portland oregon