topslop1

Why should I only spend a total of $60 on SPD-SL setup when Speedplays look boss, like BOSS DAWG, boss.

Tell me why they look so cool and how much more pro they are.

Thanks for helping me convince myself that they're legit.

kc0bbq

Pros take care of their stuff, and the Speedplay pedals are easy to lube. Shimano pedals are for people who leave their chain dry to rust after riding in the rain.

topslop1

Speed plays require more upkeep? From engineering standpoint it looks like a sleek TESLA vs. a ShimanoPinto.

Tunnelrat81

Nothing is more pro than cycling related overuse injuries...and because speedplay pedals allow more free float, they can often prevent these injuries. So in this particular case, I'd have to give shimano the edge on the pro scale.

-Jeremy

topslop1

Pedal & Cleat maintenance though. That's twice as spice.

gsindela

What is the weight comparison? I know speedplay are about 100 grams, but the cleat is also 100 grams, roughly. What is the weight of the Ultegra pedal plus it's cleat??

joejack951

Then again, nothing is more pro than an item needing constant maintenance and failing because you walked off the paved road.

'Pro' edge: Speedplay

topslop1

Road bike, road cleat, road feet, GOT IT.

joejack951

Unless you buy the special 4-hole Speedplay shoes or spend a large sum of money for the titanium axles, the weight is a wash. My Ultegra 6800 pedals with cleats and all hardware weigh 330 grams. A Zero Chromoly pair with 3-hole hardware weighs 334 grams according to Speedplay. 4-hole is down to 286 grams.

Cost per year to operate is very much in Shimano's favor. You could get back a lot of weight savings working a few extra hours instead of maintaining your Speedplay pedals (or buying new cleats) and purchase some weight weenies parts for your bike with the earnings

kc0bbq

No one ever mentioned cyclocross. They are pedals for cycling, not for people who think it's better to get a perfectly serviceable bike and then carry it around in the mud instead of riding it.

zymphad

SPD-SL can't be that bad considering that platform is being replicated by everyone but speedplay. Not to say that means it's better, but it can't be that bad.

ARPRINCE

^^ Didn't Shimano copy that style from LOOK?

reggieray

I got nasty hot spots in the balls of my feet from Speedplays. Roughly eight hours into my first double century I had to step off the bike for a while and stand there while the pressure hot spots receded.

reggieray

Also that was after the Speedplay cleats sheared off my shoe 45 miles into that ride and I had to wait for a very nice volunteer to drive to a nearby bike shop and bring back a new pair of cleats.

No issues with any SPDs at all so far.

gsindela

Great info. Thanks!

Succhia Ruota

Your bike will look more pro, which will make more people want to steal it, but they won't be able to, because, well, who can pedal on those tiny lollipops?

TimothyH

If cleats sheared off the shoes then there was something wrong the shoes or the cleats were not installed correctly. Whatever it was probably caused the hot spots as well.


-Tim-

reggieray

It was the four-screw piece that sheared off the three-bolt black piece. They were over-tightened and/or way worn out, obviously. I was riding 300+ miles every week getting ready for that double century.

Cleat position may have been off enough to cause the hot spots, though you could make the argument that it was pedaling for ten hours that was the real cause.

The Shimano pedals and cleats are bigger which spreads the pressure over a bigger surface. They have been fine so far. I'll find out at Alta Alpina in June exactly how fine.

topslop1

any positive feedback from them?

reggieray

From whom?

gl98115

Thems are THE BOSS!

Steve B.

I wonder about this. I change out the cleats on my SPD-L shoes a lot more often than my 2 buddies do on their Speedplays. Speedplay cleats are $40 vs. Shimano $30

joejack951

The highest price I could find for SPD-SL cleats is $25. Most sites are well under $20. And my SPD-SL cleats have lasted many thousands of miles for me. How quickly are you wearing out yours?

WhyFi

I'd bet that most SP cleats are replaced when the plate and screws securing the retaining clip are ground down through walking as opposed to being worn out through use (un/clipping and pedaling). If you're not walking around on the metal plate/screws (by using cafe covers, keep on covers, SP's new walkable cleats, etc) they'll last a long, long time.

Also, I think that the maintenance of SP is often overstated and mostly by people that don't use them. A squeeze of grease in the pedals once in a while and a puff of dry lube on the cleats is easily and quickly done.

Succhia Ruota

Agree with all this 1000% ^^