Solving the SPD Pedal Squeak: Seven Points to Consider

Ever heard that screeching sound from your bike?

No, it’s not a tortured cat caught in the pedals. It’s your SPD pedal’s cry for help, drowning out your every thought as you’re in the zone, sweating it out.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll grit your teeth and keep pedaling, hoping it will just go away. But it doesn’t. The squeak. It sticks around like that annoying guy at the bar who can’t take a hint.

But don’t worry, there’s a fix. Seven fixes, in fact.

1. The Pedal-Cleat Tango

You’ve got Shimano PD-EH500 pedals, right? And those cleats—Shimano SH-51—both doing a delicate little dance every time you turn the cranks.

Problem is, they’re not always in sync. The sound? It’s metal on metal. The cleat might not be sitting just right in the pedal, causing friction.

Tighten everything up and make sure it’s aligned. A small adjustment can stop the noise from feeling like you’re riding on broken glass.

2. Grease: The Miracle Worker

Let’s talk about grease. You’re wondering, “Do I need it?” Yes. A thousand times, yes. You might be looking at the pedal and thinking, “It’s shiny, clean, and new. No need for grease.”

But there’s always that one spot that needs it. It’s the contact points between the pedal and the cleat. Whether it’s white lithium grease or your trusty chain lube, apply a thin layer where the metal parts meet. The squeak’s sudden disappearance will feel like magic.

3. Pedal vs. Shoe Drama

Here’s the twist. It’s not just the pedals. It could be the shoes too. They’re old, but still ticking. However, they might be rubbing against the pedals, contributing to the noise.

Have you cleaned the bottom of your shoes recently? I’ll bet you haven’t. Grab a rag, get that gunk off, and see if the squeak dims a little. Sometimes, cleaning what you think is already clean does wonders.

4. The Cleat Tightening Gambit

Okay, you’ve tightened the cleats once. But did you tighten them enough?

We’re talking tight tight. Not “let’s see how tight I can get this without snapping something” tight, but firm enough to hold the shoe and pedal together. If the cleat wiggles, you’ll hear it.

And it’s not a good kind of wiggle. So check the screws, use a torque wrench if you’ve got one, and make sure those cleats are locked in.

5. Springing Into Action

Pedal noise can also come from the spring mechanism inside the pedal. Some riders have found that greasing or oiling the spring area under the clip-in zone quiets the noise.

When you clip in, that spring is under pressure, and it can squeak like a mouse caught in a trap. A bit of grease on the spring, and bam. Silence.

6. The Shoe-Cleat-Alignment Problem

You’ve probably tried adjusting the cleats on the shoes, but are they in the right position? If the cleats are off-center, they can cause the pedal to rub in ways you don’t want.

And it won’t just squeak—it’ll mess with your efficiency. So do yourself a favor: adjust the cleats’ position on the shoes. It might just be a millimeter that makes the difference, but that’s enough to put a stop to the squeak.

7. Not All Pedals Are Created Equal

Still hearing the noise after all these fixes? It might not be you. It might be the pedal itself.

Not every pedal is made to last forever. You could be dealing with a faulty spring mechanism or internal parts that have worn out too soon.

If your pedals are still new and under warranty, get in touch with Shimano. The squeak could be a manufacturing defect, and you don’t have to live with it.

Summary Table

Problem	Solution
Metal-on-metal contact	Align and tighten cleats and pedals
Pedals/cleats rubbing together	Apply grease (e.g., white lithium) to contact points
Shoe cleanliness	Clean the bottom of the shoes
Loose cleats	Tighten the cleats securely
Spring mechanism noise	Apply grease/oil to the pedal spring mechanism
Cleat misalignment	Adjust cleats on the shoes for proper alignment
Faulty pedal internals	Consider replacing the pedal

Conclusion

It’s simple: Stop guessing. Start tweaking. This is no magic trick. It’s just a little maintenance, a dash of grease, and an ear for the details.

Fix your pedal squeak with a combination of practical steps and—who knows?—you might just fall in love with the ride again.

But don’t expect this fix to last forever. That squeak, that persistent sound, will come back. It always does.

That’s the cruel irony of it all—no matter how tight the cleats, no matter how clean the pedals, the squeak will return like an old, familiar ex. But for now, enjoy the silence. It’s fleeting.