Thoughts on speedplay pedals?

[cucamelsmd15]

I was looking at getting the cheaper set of speedplay pedals, around $120. Ive got Ritchy SPD's on my bike now, and I hate them, because they are extremely hard to get into. How do the speedplay's compare with the Look or Shimano pedals, specifically the SPD-SL and the Look cleats for ease of entry and exit?

 

[Ashley3]

I was looking at getting the cheaper set of speedplay pedals, around $120. Ive got Ritchy SPD's on my bike now, and I hate them, because they are extremely hard to get into. How do the speedplay's compare with the Look or Shimano pedals, specifically the SPD-SL and the Look cleats for ease of entry and exit?

I've been using Speedplays for a couple of years now and like them. They're very easy to get in and out of. Some folks think they're tiny and unstable, but remember that they attach to a big plate on the shoe. (Also remember that when you're comparing weight of various pedals. The Speedplays seem oh-so-much-lighter until you take into account the plate on your shoe.)

 

[RC2]

I was looking at getting the cheaper set of speedplay pedals, around $120. Ive got Ritchy SPD's on my bike now, and I hate them, because they are extremely hard to get into. How do the speedplay's compare with the Look or Shimano pedals, specifically the SPD-SL and the Look cleats for ease of entry and exit?

You've got SPD's... talking MTB/Frog? I use SPD on the MTB but don't do very long rides on it, typically under 20 mi. On road bike, I swear by Speedplay. Absolutely no knee pain with my Zero's, easy entry/exit, etc. Everything else I'd used (look, SPD SL, etc) gave me some sort of knee pain on longer mileage rides esp. early in the season.

For a couple rides, there is a 'pedaling on ice' feeling especially when out of cycle or mashing. Less noticable at 80 rpm +. After that, in my experience, there's nothing better than Speedplay. The cheapest ones aren't much different than the Ti Zero's, just a wee bit of weight. The X's are as functional as the more expensive Zero's, but I like the Zero's cause I can dial in a smaller amount of float to ensure no shoe-crankarm or shoe-stay contact.

 

[cucamelsmd15]

You've got SPD's... talking MTB/Frog? I use SPD on the MTB but don't do very long rides on it, typically under 20 mi. On road bike, I swear by Speedplay. Absolutely no knee pain with my Zero's, easy entry/exit, etc. Everything else I'd used (look, SPD SL, etc) gave me some sort of knee pain on longer mileage rides esp. early in the season.

For a couple rides, there is a 'pedaling on ice' feeling especially when out of cycle or mashing. Less noticable at 80 rpm +. After that, in my experience, there's nothing better than Speedplay. The cheapest ones aren't much different than the Ti Zero's, just a wee bit of weight. The X's are as functional as the more expensive Zero's, but I like the Zero's cause I can dial in a smaller amount of float to ensure no shoe-crankarm or shoe-stay contact.

What do you mean by the pedal on ice? Can the float not be adjusted on the X's? Mine are SPD cleats, and the pedals are similar to these:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=6503&subcategory_ID=5245
You can probably imagine how much they can fustrate me in stop and go situations around campus.

 

[palewin]

Pedals are of course very personal. I've been using X/2s for almost 5 years, something over 40K miles by now (actually wore out one set of pedals, and put on new cleats each season). They are widely considered the easiest pedals to clip into, and very reliable. However there is a significant difference in "wear out rate" between the models. The cheapest (used to be the X/3, think now its the X/5, the one with the chromoly axle) uses two bearings, while the X/1 (titanium) and X/2 (stainless) use the same three-bearings. If you ride a lot, they will outlast the X/3s by enough to justify the price differential to the X/2s. (There is the same difference in the Zero line-up, if you prefer to go that way. If I was starting over, I'd probably go for the Zeros.)

 

[RC2]

What do you mean by the pedal on ice?...(

Having no side-side resistance, your foot rotates almost totally freely within the pretty wide float of float...as if you were connected to ice cubes. Disconcerting the first few times it happens (if you've ever suffered the potentially horendous effects from coming out of your clips during a mad sprint you'll understand ouch!), but after a ride or two it stopped bothering me. That said, I've heard others complain about it.

 

[gregcasa]

I have the X/3 Speedplays on my bike; they have 1K miles on them. I haven’t has any issues with the chromoly model. My understanding is the X/5 has a better bearings than the X/3. I would also assume if you keep fresh grease in the bearings you will extend the life of the bearing. I think Speedplay recommends every 2K miles to apply new grease. I’m planning on doing mine sooner because of the bearing aren’t as good as the X/5.

PS I like the extra float I haven’t had any knee problems with these pedals.

 

[swngnblues]

I was looking at getting the cheaper set of speedplay pedals, around $120. Ive got Ritchy SPD's on my bike now, and I hate them, because they are extremely hard to get into. How do the speedplay's compare with the Look or Shimano pedals, specifically the SPD-SL and the Look cleats for ease of entry and exit?

Speedplays are my only experience with clipless (somewhat of a newbie).. and the only complaint i have about them is be careful around mud/loose dirt/etc. Since the clipping mechanism is on the bottom of your shoe, if you get crud in them, you'll have difficulty getting fully clipped.

I was actually advised that after cleaning them out, take soft candle wax and rub it on the insides of the clip. Don't know what it does for lubrication, but it helps keep them clean. Just don't use a big amount. Keep the pedals themselves greased according to the directions, and other than that, be careful the first couple of times trying to clip in. I've had a couple of times where I missed the clip-in rolling from a stop and hit the inside of my ankle. Talk about a bruise!

 

[slbenz]

I have Speedplays on both my MTB and road bike. I use the old X/3 on my road bike. Have about 30K miles on them and not had one problem. Like the double-sided design over the single sided like Look and Shimano. Faster entry at stoplights. Exits are about the same. Just make sure to lube the pedals regularly to avoid bearing failures.

 

[Ashley3]

Absolutely no knee pain with my Zero's, easy entry/exit, etc. Everything else I'd used (look, SPD SL, etc) gave me some sort of knee pain on longer mileage rides esp. early in the season.

I'm interested in your observation about knee pain. My knees are on their last legs..... after years of soccer during which my reputation rested more on being a "hard tackler" and tough defender than on ball handling magic. So, when it came time to buy pedals I did a lot of reading and went with Speedplays because they seemed most easy on the knees. I've not had a bit of knee pain on the bike.
Now, as I'm buying a new bike, it's been suggested that I ought to look at some other pedals that have less float, on the argument that using them will deliver more power. I'm not persuaded that I ought to do that. Anybody else have thots on knee pain as it relates to various types of pedals?

 

[cucamelsmd15]

I'm interested in your observation about knee pain. My knees are on their last legs..... after years of soccer during which my reputation rested more on being a "hard tackler" and tough defender than on ball handling magic. So, when it came time to buy pedals I did a lot of reading and went with Speedplays because they seemed most easy on the knees. I've not had a bit of knee pain on the bike.
Now, as I'm buying a new bike, it's been suggested that I ought to look at some other pedals that have less float, on the argument that using them will deliver more power. I'm not persuaded that I ought to do that. Anybody else have thots on knee pain as it relates to various types of pedals?

Ah, a fellow soccer player who abused their knees too much. Well, the pedals I have now are causing me the occasional pain, which is why Im looking at switching. Personally, Id rather go with comfort over power, especially in my knees. My advice is if it isnt broke, dont fix it.

Oh, I had MAD ball handling skills too

 

[lokstah]

Speedplays are glorious. I've used both X-series and Zero versions, and all in all, the design is hard to beat. They're ingenious little suckers.

 

[cydewaze]

Speedplays are glorious. I've used both X-series and Zero versions, and all in all, the design is hard to beat. They're ingenious little suckers.

I've also used X-series and Zero, and I concur with this assessment.

 

[manvell]

I've also used X-series and Zero, and I concur with this assessment.

How easy is it to walk with the X's or Zero's with road shoes. My buddy just got S.P. Frog's w mountain shoes so it would be easier walking. I currently run a mountain shoe w/ spd cleats on my road bike. I didn't want a big cleat to walk on as is the case with the looks or similiar. I would go to a road shoe if speedplays are easy to walk on and not slippery.

 

[palewin]

By themselves they are clumsy for walking and slippery. The rubber cleat covers which you can buy separately help. But the truth is that road shoes & cleats are designed for riding efficiency, not walking.

 

[manvell]

By themselves they are clumsy for walking and slippery. The rubber cleat covers which you can buy separately help. But the truth is that road shoes & cleats are designed for riding efficiency, not walking.

If that's the case I think I will stick with mountain shoes. I have shimano M220's with carbon soles and I love the fit. Thanks.

 

[cydewaze]

How easy is it to walk with the X's or Zero's with road shoes. My buddy just got S.P. Frog's w mountain shoes so it would be easier walking. I currently run a mountain shoe w/ spd cleats on my road bike. I didn't want a big cleat to walk on as is the case with the looks or similiar. I would go to a road shoe if speedplays are easy to walk on and not slippery.

Actually, they suck to walk in. And if you're on a tile floor (line in a 7-11 getting a bottle of Gatorade) they're deadly.

I think I'd do SPDs if I planned on doing any serious amount of walking.

 

[lokstah]

How easy is it to walk with the X's or Zero's with road shoes. My buddy just got S.P. Frog's w mountain shoes so it would be easier walking. I currently run a mountain shoe w/ spd cleats on my road bike. I didn't want a big cleat to walk on as is the case with the looks or similiar. I would go to a road shoe if speedplays are easy to walk on and not slippery.

Not so easy; it is, admittedly, a bulky cleat. I wouldn't cruise a shopping mall in one. But getting coffee, or shuffling from the desk, to the bike, to the loading dock, and zipping off? Not a problem.

 

[dhk]

Not so easy; it is, admittedly, a bulky cleat. I wouldn't cruise a shopping mall in one. But getting coffee, or shuffling from the desk, to the bike, to the loading dock, and zipping off? Not a problem.

Agree, never had a problem walking into roadside stores or coffee shops with the speedplay cleats. I carry the coffeeshop covers, but don't even bother with them just going into a convenient store for Gatorade.

Believe the shoes are a factor here as well. My Carnac shoes have good heel pads which help with the traction.

 

[Mansmind]

Agree, never had a problem walking into roadside stores or coffee shops with the speedplay cleats. I carry the coffeeshop covers, but don't even bother with them just going into a convenient store for Gatorade.

Believe the shoes are a factor here as well. My Carnac shoes have good heel pads which help with the traction.

Same here, I decided not the get the covers. I figure if I'm going to walk long enough to need them..I'll change shoes. Of course I've paid for that thinking when walking off the side of the road a couple of times, and spending the next half hour getting them clean enough to clip in.

Outside of that, the x3's were my first and only pedal. I WOULD (I think) like some limit to the float, easy to let your foot twist on the pedal in hard efforts. I really like them however, can't imagine trying another kind.

John