Creaky cleats and pedals - no more!

Hello Steve, thanks for sharing. ANy replacement for Xylene?

Only 5 years late to this party (eyes roll). Been using look road pedals since they were invented and have had loads of them creak. Simple to fix. It's the latch gate working against the pedal body during riding. Just lube the area where the latch gate rubs on the body to fix it. Fix usually lasts for months too.

I just use surfing wax....

Will petroleum jelly work too? Thanks!

I had a creaky cleat the other day. I tightened it, but still creaky. I decided to try removing the cleat, and installed again, making sure I tightened each cleat screw evenly, half turn per screw and did this until securely fastened. My aim was to ensure both screws were tightened the same. It worked. I may try applying a tiny amount of grease to the screw thread and silicon spray to the cleat and pedal contact points. I will apply the silicon spray using a rag and cotton bud to precisely apply to only the necessary spots. Don't want dust and dirt to attract where possible (silicon spray doesn't attract dust as easily as other lubricants from experience lubricating foosball rods). I'm using the SM-SH56 cleat with the SHIMANO PD-ED500 pedal. I may try your solution if I continue to have issue with creaking.

talcum powder does the same and NO nasty xylene...

I tried this and it only lasted for about 2 rides, after that the pedals still creak.

Do you think that contact grease can work?

Tempted to give this a go. Never had a creaky cleat issue with shimano. Since purchasing some favero assioma pedals and changing to keo cleats I have the dreaded creak. Tried wd40, gt85, chain lube but they only last for 1 or 2 rides then the creak is back 😢. Does this fix really last that long? If so I'll give it a try

Can I used Vicks Rub?

Are there any chemical compatibility issues between your potion and the carbon resin in the pedals and shoes? I have shimano SPD-SL and I've not had this problem. On metal SPD MTB style pedals and cleats I do find they often creak but a light spray of GT85 sorts it out for weeks. At a push on a tour I used butter at a cafe for an annoying noise (worked for days).

What tyres are those

Thanks for the great tip! Hopefully it will fix my creaky look pedals. Very very annoying when climbing, sounds like I have a creaky metal leg :)

how the hell do I find xylene in my country!!!?.
is there a replacement for that!?.
I got creaky cleats and pedals and also I want the bloody liquid lubricant!!!

Gonna try this.

Yeah but...when you walk in your with your shoes lots of this grease, i don't think your wife will be happy :p lol

Feel lucky I found and follow your chanel, Tons of useful information . I'm going to try this wax trick on my Speedplay zero pedals,,Thanks again.

Thank you for posting, I had heard it s the Carbon spring plates that cause the creaking on Look pedals which is why it didn’t happen on the older type Look pedals, I get it with mine but only on really hot days, which is virtually never here in the uk! 😂 but riding in the Pyrenees with temps above 25c it occurred every day!

Oz Cycle: I made the wax chain lube using your recipe, since it is essentially wax & paraffin oil plus xylene, can you use it for the creaking pedals ???

Silicone Spray. easy to apply. lasts for a good time. No mess and doesn't attract dirt

I had a creaking issue with my Look pedals. I used automotive wax on the pedal, no further issues.

I've been a lifetime Shimano pedal user and I just bought another new bike this past October and decided to go with LOOK pedals this time. WRONG CHOICE!! No matter what I do or use they always make noises. Going to get a set of Ultegra R8000 pedals tomorrow.

Thanks, I'm going to try this

Im gonna try this

Hi oz, do you recommend anti-seize compound grease or loctite thread locker for titanium bolts for disc brake rotors/stems/seatpost etc. Thanks !

Hi Oz!  Thanks much for this video. I recently discover your channel and I am hooked with your videos and ingenuity. Your advices and do it yourself tools are great. BTW, I am guilty.... yes, I wear Shimano shoes and cleats.... however, I put some threadlock fluid to the screws and use some wax on the cleats and they perform fine for me. Please keep on helping all of us on learning more about bike maintenance and tips.  Cheers!

That new kit your wearing Steve is that a big brand or one you sourced from Alibaba? It looks quality.

Look are fine never had creaking but I had fast wear and the cleats are expensive. I moved to time and they are tricky to get used to.but last.

WTF team jersey LOL!

If you're out riding and the creaking's driving you berzerk you can apply CHAPSTICK (with your finger, screwdriver, house key, allen key toothpick or q tip) which you'll probably have on you anyway. I've used chapstick for pedal threads, seat post and thread grease in a pinch when I didn't have any grease on hand. In an extreme emergency chapstick can he used as bearing grease. You can even convert chapstick into an emergency candle for lighting or use the tube as a pill/small parts container or to secretly store money. There's lots of cool diy hacks for chapstick.

The grey cleats (with rubber walking pads) that come with the look pedals are the issue. The non-walking pad cleats have teflon contact points and they do not creak. Don't need lube.

More info on that Canyon and wheels....sharp rig.

Hello fellow Bike enthusiasts, I just want to give a quick shout out to Inox MX5 spray lube, it's about $14 for a can (lasts for ever too, you only use a small bit for bicycle stuff) and should be used instead of WD40 as it's far more effective - It's also an Australian made product.

Loving the upgraded video and audio. Cheers mate and happy New Years!

Road Shimano = SPD SL

I ditched Speedplay Zero because of Creaking, all the f*cking time! (they needed oil/spray every ride).
Last 4 years I'm on Shimano SPD-SL 105's not a single creak so far.

Didn’t know your grabbed a Canyon style frame!! Did you do a review on it yet? If not, please do!

Nice Bike...I recall your previous unpacking of that Canyon. Would love to hear your opinion on that exact bike ? Looking for Aero bike myself and Canyon has finally arrived in the US. Whats good, what would you change etc... Also, looking to see some Vids on the 2018 Tour Down under. Keep you the great quality and in depth how-to's. Rav

love the videos.
keep up the good work

Xylene is nasty. Why not just a bit of Lube / grease?

New year to you! love to see you posting again!

Nice New Bike!

My Look Keo Max Blades creeked so bad I tossed em! Pieces of junk! When I lubricated them it just made the contacts feel so slippery and even that barely reduced the noise. I switched to Shimano Ultegra and will never "Look" back. Don't waste your money because once they start creaking you will absolutely hate going for a ride on them. Smh

speedplay pedals here - never had a creak. didn't even know that was an issue. SPD on mountain and fat bike, same thing, can't recall ever having a pedal-based creak. Meanwhile, my BBRight on the Cervelo was a nightmare and needed BBinfinite to resolve the endless creaking.

I had creaks for a bit on new cleats but after using them for a bit it went away along with some WD40 on the cleat

Ураааа!!!! КАТЮША !!!

i just put some drops of oil on the metal base plate of the pedal.

Hey, you are now riding a canyon.
Where is the orbea?
Nice wheels 👍

I love DIY projects and i love BIKES. So glad came across your videos! Enjoy them a lot! You are very, very clever and please continue. Thank you!