VaMoots

https://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/...edplay-pedals/

merlinextraligh

There's a fair amount of hyperbole in that article.

One, "$80 every six to 8 months for cleats". First, the cleats only cost $35 to 40, so he's exaggerating the replacement cost. Also, in my experience, while Speedplay says to replace the cleats every 3000-5000 miles, I often get at least 5000 miles out of them.

Second, multiple bearing failures, to the point of locking up, seems highly out of the ordinary. I've been using Speedpalys for 20 plus years, am not fastidious about lubing them,a nd have never had a pedal lock up. ( other than steel X5 pedal that rusted with prolonged lack of use.)

Third, the level of maintenance required is not significant. Speedplay says to lube the pedals every 2,000 miles. I typically do it once a year, and its a 2 minute job. (remove scew, squirt in grease, until clean grease squirts out the other side, replace screw.)

And lubing the cleats takes a second, and I only do it very occassionally, as needed.

I guess it doesn't make as good of read for your blog to say my pedals work fine, no significant issues.

JTGraphics

^ I'd agree I have been using SpeedPlay on all my bikes with no issues my cleats are used just about 6 days of the week as I commute 5 days just about everyday as long as weather is ok and ride 1 day on weekend's and replace them once a year and they are $40 maybe if I shop. I have never had a bearing issue on any pedals also.

patentcad

Speedplays aren't as finicky as that article would have you believe, or as maintenance intensive. But they were more of a pain than my current Keos. In more ways than one.

lazerzxr

as a new user of speedplays a few years ago i thought they were fussy, then i realised they get much better with a bit of neglect and ignorance. I remember cleaning them religiously to start with because I could feel every last bit of grit in them, now i walk across gravel car parks before clipping in and dont notice anything. They are great pedals and the adjustability means i will use them as long as i ride bikes. Low stack height also means i can reduce my saddle to bar drop by a noticeable amount which is a bonus

patentcad

Hot spots.

That's why I dumped them. Don't get that with Keos.

zigmeister

Not sure why I would want to click on some blog link that surely has advertising in hopes the author will get me to click a sponsor and make $.50 off the transaction if I buy something.

Palomar01

I just started using the SP Light actions so I'm loving them. However, I am religious about keeping them clean, along with the cleats. I don't mind doing that.

My co-worker is another story. He has had his SP's going on 5 years with thousands of miles on it. I looked at them and they (pedals and cleats) looked pretty beat up. I asked him if he ever oiled them and he said no. I asked if he's had any failures and he said no. They just keep working for him. I would had replaced them by now if I were him but this guy is not a slave to the latest and greatest so he just rides things until they die.

DScott

Have we ridden together?

My current pair of Zero cleats have part of the alloy plate broken off, and I'll probably have to cut slots in the ground-down mounting screws to get them off when it's time to replace them. I don't hesitate to walk with them anywhere, except in the house. I lube the cleats when they squeak, and the pedals when I remember to.

They still work great.

SpongeDad

I probably have about 15,000 miles on my current pair of speedplay zeroes. Only lubed the pedals once two years ago; dust the cleats with graphite once or twice a year. Just now having to replace the cleats (one of the springs/clips broke).

now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I'll lube them up this weekend if I'm bored.

uncrx2003

I used to get hot spots, too. Then one day I forgot to buckle up my shoes straps and got no hot spots whatsoever. I only loosely strap up now. Feet are much more comfortable.

JTGraphics

I can see were if you walk around in a bunch of crap (can I say that?) they may not work so well use the covers and they are fine
I have never had hot spots but I also have custom heat molded insoles for my shoes I think that hot spots may be more of a shoe insole issue than cleats.
In any case I like them and would not switch.

longbeachgary

Yep, someone's blog does not make an "article".

Carbon Unit

I have replaced my cleats once in five years. The one set of cleats that I purchased cost me $35.00 from Ebay and had no problem installing them. I lube the pedals every six months but seldom lube the cleats.

I don't use coffee covers I put Shoe Goo on the cleats which makes them grip asphalt better and makes them easier to walk in. I have never had them lock up and have never accidentally unclipped.

Also, I have never had hot spots with my Speedplays.

BassoCoral

Switch to BeBops.

SVThis

I started with Look Keo Max and swithed to Speedplay Light Actions. I've used them since last fall and started getting knee pain. Switched back to the Looks. Knee pain gone. I think the LA's had too much float and wobble for me.

Joemess

+1. I had horrific hot spots on both my feet when I switched to speed plays. Went back to my shimano pedals and the discomfort went away.

Carbon Unit

One thing I have noticed with Speedplays is that you need really stiff shoes. I also have Look pedals with cheap nylon shoes and they are fine. I wouldn't try that will Speedplay pedals. I would only run stiff full carbon shoes with Speedplay.

MUZE

"....used them since last fall and started getting knee pain. Switched back to the Looks. Knee pain gone."

I had the opposite experience.

fly:yes/land:no

my experience with zeros: best pedal system i have ridden. i have racked up thousands of miles of racing, commuting, training, etc. i have serviced them twice. before me, they belonged to someone else who rode them for a summer. before him, they belonged to someone else who rode them for several years. they have survived crashes, sprints, clipped corners, and more without damage. i have replaced the cleats once in 5 years. so far this year, i am at around 5,000 miles, and the cleats were last replaced the summer before last.

damnpoor

I've been running speedplay for several years. Never lube the pedal, rarely lube the cleat, never had a problem. Conclusion: either I'm not riding enough or speedplays are awesome.

Me too. I use SP because I don't get knee pain.

Nachoman

Tell me more about this, if you wouldn't mind. How do you do it? I use that powdered graphite stuff on a lot things. never thought to use them with my speedplays.

Fox Farm

I have been using X2 Speedplay pedals since 1998. Lube them once a year. Replace cleats at what seems like once every two or so years. If I use cleat covers regularly and lube the groove on the pedals, perhaps even more then two years per cleat set. I used Look as early as 1986 6and went through on average two sets of cleats a year, at $15 a set. In 5 years, I bought my Speedplays with what I spent on Look cleats.

lazerzxr

after getting speedplays my look keos just sit in a box in my spares kit, i'll never go back

Minion1

[QUOTE=merlinextraligh;12801260]There's a fair amount of hyperbole in that article.

One, "$80 every six to 8 months for cleats". First, the cleats only cost $35 to 40, so he's exaggerating the replacement cost. Also, in my experience, while Speedplay says to replace the cleats every 3000-5000 miles, I often get at least 5000 miles out of them.

The writer of that blog is based in Melbourne, Australia where cycling accessories are going to be priced differently to the states. Think another layer of transport costs, taxes and distributors to pay, even though the Australian dollar is currently worth more than the US.