Although I don’t use Speedplay pedals, I know that more than a few of the Dips do. For the benefit of those riders, I just wanted to pass on something I learned when I dropped off Eduardo’s bike at Chain Reaction.
This may likely be common knowledge to Speedplay owners, but unlike Shimano pedals, Speedplays rely on periodic lubrication for them to function, and last, as designed. A quick way to tell if your pedals need greasing is to give them a flick. They shouldn’t rotate more than 1 or 2 revolutions before stopping. Eduardo’s were spinning like a propeller.
Fortunately, Speedplay has a convenient grease port right on the end of the pedal. Remove that phillips screw and cover and you can squeeze in new grease. The old grease will come out the other end. When new grease starts coming out, you’re done!
If your pedals run out of grease, they’ll likely start making annoying noises (as Tom will attest), likely just when you’re trying to crest that hill.
The only special tool required is pressurized grease, and I have a grease gun in case anyone needs to borrow it; or you can come by and we can grease it in just a few minutes.
Here’s Speedplay’s official video on the care of Speedplay pedals. It also goes over the correct way to lube the cleats on your shoes as well (hear that Marty?)
The Dips Bike Club 