Anyone regret switching to Speedplay pedals?
08-07-16, 05:55 AM
#26
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Speedplay Zeros. Switched to them about 12 yrs. ago. In that time I had the first pair about 10 yrs. and am now on my second set. Love them.
08-07-16, 09:29 AM
#27
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If you're looking to talk yourself out of something, asking for feedback only from those with regrets is a sure way to do it. No regrets here, though. Going back to SPD-SL certainly wouldn't be the end of the world, but I prefer Speedplays.
You have the second-hand experience of a huge sample size of two and no first-hand experience and you've determined that they're a cult thing? Kudos.
You have the second-hand experience of a huge sample size of two and no first-hand experience and you've determined that they're a cult thing? Kudos.
08-08-16, 10:04 AM
#28
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I've been using speedplay since about 1998 - I have serious knee issues and struggled with Look, Time etc (not SPD-SL, too long ago) but once I got used to the pedaling on an ice-cube feel of the X series pedals, that was it.
Different strokes for different folks, obviously but 18 years later I'm still using speedplay pedals (light action) and quite happy with them. I also find them easier to clip INTO than all the mooks at the stoplight trying to flip their shimano pedals around so they can clip in, but maybe they're just uncoordinated.
But seriously, the float is the reason to switch, not the spindle length - you can buy adaptors to lengthen your spindles for any pedal system.
Different strokes for different folks, obviously but 18 years later I'm still using speedplay pedals (light action) and quite happy with them. I also find them easier to clip INTO than all the mooks at the stoplight trying to flip their shimano pedals around so they can clip in, but maybe they're just uncoordinated.
But seriously, the float is the reason to switch, not the spindle length - you can buy adaptors to lengthen your spindles for any pedal system.
08-08-16, 10:14 AM
#29
SuperGimp
08-08-16, 11:17 AM
#30
Senior Member
The problem with the kneesavers is that they are just a huge gross adjustment of about twice the range. It's a "more than all" or nothing proposition. I'm sure they work for some, but in general, a solution with better resolution is needed.
I suffer from a foot problem that really benefits from a 53mm spindle (nominal speedplay road) on the drive side and a 59mm spindle on the non drive side. I had been using an even longer spindle and it caused a piriformis syndrome problem on the right. When I was experimenting with Q factor, I bought some of the knee savers and it's just a super gross adjustment and it's way far out there. After 10 miles on them, I practically couldn't walk after what it did to my hip when I got off the bike. When you fiddle with Q factor, you need to have adjustability in smaller increments than what the Kneesavers offer.
So I think you're confirming what I've seen is that there is essentially the 1-2mm washers or kneesavers (20mm) unless you go with Speedplay Zeros and select spindle length.
J.
08-08-16, 12:17 PM
#31
Senior Member
Speedplay Zero stainless are available for $132.20.
Speedplay Zero Stainless Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles
Speedplay Zero Stainless Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles
Or get the CHROMO $96
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/speedp...ack-speedplay/
Then change the spindle length for $39.
J L Titanium TI Pedal Spindles Axle Fit Speedplay Zero x1 2 5 Ultra Light Action | eBay
08-08-16, 12:33 PM
#32
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I got the zero's because I need the float for my knees. They are also very lightweight, and have some cool design features such as double sided entry, a very low profile, low weight, and are a little bit unique vs the ubiquitous spd's.
It took me a while to get used to the float. Not only is there a massive amount of float (range is adjustable), but it feels "slippery" meaning there is very little resistance to heel movement laterally.
Some of the less than positive aspects of zero's include a less than intuitive clip in. After months and months of riding, clipping in is still not intuitive. With looks, step in is self evident, even to the novice. You do it once, and it's burned into muscle memory: step in with the toe, press down at the back of the cleat. You're in. The triangular cleat is like a guiding arrow.
With the zero's empty circle cleat, there is no self evident "point" to aim. You step in, press down and hope you can clip in at the correct angle, whatever it is. I don't always manage to clip in on my first attempt, and that's a little disconcerting and frustrating.
Sprinting/standing and stomping is not always confidence inspiring given the amount of float also.
Zero's are great if you've had knee issues in the past and want to log lots of spinning miles. They're not the most intuitive for clipping in, or standing+stomping.
I like the pedals but they're really designed for people with knee issues first and foremost.
It took me a while to get used to the float. Not only is there a massive amount of float (range is adjustable), but it feels "slippery" meaning there is very little resistance to heel movement laterally.
Some of the less than positive aspects of zero's include a less than intuitive clip in. After months and months of riding, clipping in is still not intuitive. With looks, step in is self evident, even to the novice. You do it once, and it's burned into muscle memory: step in with the toe, press down at the back of the cleat. You're in. The triangular cleat is like a guiding arrow.
With the zero's empty circle cleat, there is no self evident "point" to aim. You step in, press down and hope you can clip in at the correct angle, whatever it is. I don't always manage to clip in on my first attempt, and that's a little disconcerting and frustrating.
Sprinting/standing and stomping is not always confidence inspiring given the amount of float also.
Zero's are great if you've had knee issues in the past and want to log lots of spinning miles. They're not the most intuitive for clipping in, or standing+stomping.
I like the pedals but they're really designed for people with knee issues first and foremost.
08-08-16, 12:49 PM
#33
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^^^ Huh. I can't say that I recall too many people echoing your sentiment that Speedplays are less intuitive to clip in to vs Look-type cleats/pedals.
08-08-16, 12:53 PM
#34
SuperGimp
I'm not sure if Zeros are different, my only experience is with light action and the X series but not having a point to aim at is not a problem (for me) because I'm not looking at my pedal anyway. It doesn't matter what orientation the pedal is, just step and go. I occasionally miss and hit the pedal with the middle of my shoe or something but it's very infrequent. (did it yesterday in the middle of an intersection ... first time all year!)
The amount of float and the freeness of the float are definitely things that require an adjustment period.
The amount of float and the freeness of the float are definitely things that require an adjustment period.
08-08-16, 12:58 PM
#35
Senior Member
During the TDF I noticed that Mark Cavindish rides Speedplay, which surprised me because I don't think of Speedplays when I think of sprinters. I doubt he has knee issue, and he's obviously one who pedals about as hard as anyone in the world so doesn't seem that unclipping can be much of an issue (not sure which model he rides though).
I've only ridden Speedplays so have no idea about other pedals but you don't really clip into Speedplays, you just put your foot down and ride, they pretty much automagically clip after a stroke or two.
I've only ridden Speedplays so have no idea about other pedals but you don't really clip into Speedplays, you just put your foot down and ride, they pretty much automagically clip after a stroke or two.
08-08-16, 03:59 PM
#36
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During the TDF I noticed that Mark Cavindish rides Speedplay, which surprised me because I don't think of Speedplays when I think of sprinters. I doubt he has knee issue, and he's obviously one who pedals about as hard as anyone in the world so doesn't seem that unclipping can be much of an issue (not sure which model he rides though).
08-08-16, 04:50 PM
#37
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^^ That's a good price there for stainless!
Or get the CHROMO $96
Speedplay Zero Cro-mo Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles
Then change the spindle length for $39.
J L Titanium TI Pedal Spindles Axle Fit Speedplay Zero x1 2 5 Ultra Light Action | eBay
Or get the CHROMO $96
Speedplay Zero Cro-mo Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles
Then change the spindle length for $39.
J L Titanium TI Pedal Spindles Axle Fit Speedplay Zero x1 2 5 Ultra Light Action | eBay
On an unrelated note.. when is the SP patent expiration so that anyone can freely enter this market? I read I think that the patent was filed in 2002.
On a related note.. does anyone know any of the online (overseas) vendors selling SP Zero options at relatively similar prices to the Ribble quoted above, but with different spindle-length options?
08-09-16, 07:31 AM
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Been using Speedplays for something like 20 years. I love them and would absolutely not ride another pedal. My knees are bad and the float they provide is great. As far as I'm concerned they are the best road pedal on the market.
08-09-16, 08:30 AM
#39
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You need to grease the pedal itself about once a year. A 3 minute DIY job.
As for lubing the cleats, if you replace them every 5000 miles or so, you rarely if ever need to lube them.
If they get really dirty, putting some lube on them helps. This is about a 5 second job.
As for it being a cult, the major upside is how quick and easy they are to get into, so the cult tends to be racers, where the advantages of very quick entry, low stack height, and steep cornering angles make an actual difference.
If your current pedals work for you, and those advantages don't matter to you, then no reason you'd want to switch, but the advantages are real.
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You could get lost and die.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-09-16, 08:33 AM
#40
pan y agua
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During the TDF I noticed that Mark Cavindish rides Speedplay, which surprised me because I don't think of Speedplays when I think of sprinters. I doubt he has knee issue, and he's obviously one who pedals about as hard as anyone in the world so doesn't seem that unclipping can be much of an issue (not sure which model he rides though).
I've only ridden Speedplays so have no idea about other pedals but you don't really clip into Speedplays, you just put your foot down and ride, they pretty much automagically clip after a stroke or two.
I've only ridden Speedplays so have no idea about other pedals but you don't really clip into Speedplays, you just put your foot down and ride, they pretty much automagically clip after a stroke or two.
Major reason that I, and everyone on our team switched to Speedplays 25 years ago was that it is much more difficult to pull out of Speedplays than Look pedals.
The plastic cleat starts to get a little worn, and its fairly easy to pull out of Look pedals. Never ever had a problem pulling out of Speedplays.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-09-16, 08:36 AM
#41
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I got the zero's because I need the float for my knees. They are also very lightweight, and have some cool design features such as double sided entry, a very low profile, low weight, and are a little bit unique vs the ubiquitous spd's.
It took me a while to get used to the float. Not only is there a massive amount of float (range is adjustable), but it feels "slippery" meaning there is very little resistance to heel movement laterally.
Some of the less than positive aspects of zero's include a less than intuitive clip in. After months and months of riding, clipping in is still not intuitive. With looks, step in is self evident, even to the novice. You do it once, and it's burned into muscle memory: step in with the toe, press down at the back of the cleat. You're in. The triangular cleat is like a guiding arrow.
With the zero's empty circle cleat, there is no self evident "point" to aim. You step in, press down and hope you can clip in at the correct angle, whatever it is. I don't always manage to clip in on my first attempt, and that's a little disconcerting and frustrating.
Sprinting/standing and stomping is not always confidence inspiring given the amount of float also.
Zero's are great if you've had knee issues in the past and want to log lots of spinning miles. They're not the most intuitive for clipping in, or standing+stomping.
I like the pedals but they're really designed for people with knee issues first and foremost.
It took me a while to get used to the float. Not only is there a massive amount of float (range is adjustable), but it feels "slippery" meaning there is very little resistance to heel movement laterally.
Some of the less than positive aspects of zero's include a less than intuitive clip in. After months and months of riding, clipping in is still not intuitive. With looks, step in is self evident, even to the novice. You do it once, and it's burned into muscle memory: step in with the toe, press down at the back of the cleat. You're in. The triangular cleat is like a guiding arrow.
With the zero's empty circle cleat, there is no self evident "point" to aim. You step in, press down and hope you can clip in at the correct angle, whatever it is. I don't always manage to clip in on my first attempt, and that's a little disconcerting and frustrating.
Sprinting/standing and stomping is not always confidence inspiring given the amount of float also.
Zero's are great if you've had knee issues in the past and want to log lots of spinning miles. They're not the most intuitive for clipping in, or standing+stomping.
I like the pedals but they're really designed for people with knee issues first and foremost.
Euchre,
I'd say you're in a very distinct minority here. Speedplays you just step on the pedal and you're off, no thought process, no having to get the pedal upright, no having to enter front then back.
If you watch a crit race, the percentage of riders using Speedplays is higher than for recreational cyclists, primarily because of the speed and ease of entry.
Personally, I used Looks when they first came out, have ridden Speedplays for years, and now have Look style vector pedals on our tandem, and dislike the vectors because they're harder to get clipped in than Speedplays.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-09-16, 09:08 AM
#42
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Speedplays are *incredibly* easy to clip into. This is the reason I got them - I was tired of messing around with flipping the SPD-SL pedals over and trying to catch the engagement point with the front of my cleat. With the Speedplay, not only can you clip into either side of the pedal, but they don't spin crazily around like an SPD-SL. So they are usually sitting in the same position that you clip out of them with - e.g., flat. You just push your foot straight down onto the top of the pedal, and there is slight resistance as the spring-clip engages. The cleats are more expensive than SPD-SLs, but the benefits are worth it.
08-09-16, 09:08 AM
#43
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None of this represents my experience over about 12 yrs. of using Speedplays. FWIW, I have no knee issues and didn't buy them for that reason.
09-03-16, 03:36 PM
#44
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^^ That's a good price there for stainless!
Or get the CHROMO $96
Speedplay Zero Cro-mo Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles
Then change the spindle length for $39.
J L Titanium TI Pedal Spindles Axle Fit Speedplay Zero x1 2 5 Ultra Light Action | eBay
Or get the CHROMO $96
Speedplay Zero Cro-mo Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles
Then change the spindle length for $39.
J L Titanium TI Pedal Spindles Axle Fit Speedplay Zero x1 2 5 Ultra Light Action | eBay
09-03-16, 03:38 PM
#45
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There's a hex for tightening through the back of the crank arm.
09-03-16, 03:45 PM
#46
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09-09-16, 08:52 PM
#47
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I'm an old guy, and have tried various pedals as I've gotten into cycling, Shinamo, Look one other brand whose name I'm blanking on and now Speedplay X. For me the float is a positive thing & I find them easier to get into when starting. Harder to walk on the metal plates of the cleat system. I think I'll end up staying with these
09-09-16, 10:01 PM
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I'm an old guy, and have tried various pedals as I've gotten into cycling, Shinamo, Look one other brand whose name I'm blanking on and now Speedplay X. For me the float is a positive thing & I find them easier to get into when starting. Harder to walk on the metal plates of the cleat system. I think I'll end up staying with these
09-10-16, 04:59 AM
#50
Senior Member
I'm an old guy, and have tried various pedals as I've gotten into cycling, Shinamo, Look one other brand whose name I'm blanking on and now Speedplay X. For me the float is a positive thing & I find them easier to get into when starting. Harder to walk on the metal plates of the cleat system. I think I'll end up staying with these