Speedplay?

[kenyonchris]

I have Mavic carbon pedals on my Colnago, the left one has been sticking from time to time, no amount of messing with it can stop it from sporadically refusing to release (one time I had to take my shoe off). Since I have been unclipping my left foot since forever, I can't seem to make my right unclip first. Anyhow, after falling over a couple of times, I am ready to trash them. My DBF uses Speedplays and loves them, and the LBS has been hounding me to try them. Anyone? Anyone? Like them, don't like them? What model? I know nothing about them...

[ninerfan]

I'll bite :p. I loooove my speedplay light action. Extraordinarily easy to clip in and out of and I really like the amount of float.

Now the caveats. I have had issues with hot foot and it seems that this isn't entirely uncommon with speedplays given the smaller platform. I found that stiffer soled shoes helped immensely with this issue though on HOT days I still have some problems. Whether on those days its a speedplay thing or simply a hot day thing (I HATE riding in the heat) I don't know.

Second, these are the first and only clipless pedals I've ever had so I have nothing to compare them too. But if I thought they sucked I would have replaced them by now!

[smilingcat]

I have been using speedplays pedal since '91. I have X-3s on all my bikes. Love'm No fuss as to the top side or bottom side like Look or Time pedals.

But each to their own. There is a break-in period with each new set of cleats. During the initial period, I literally have to jump up/down on my pedals to snap in. After a while they do break in so I just step on the pedal and it snaps in.

Smilingcat

[southjerseygirl]

Love my Speedplay Zeros. No problems clipping in and out, even with new cleats. Nice amount of float (and adjustable) so easy on the knees. Just have to wiggle my heel a tiny bit to clip in (my heavier riding buddies just step straight down but I need a little wiggle). With good shoe insoles I have no problems with hotfoot. Highly recommended!

[Bike Chick]

Went to Speedplay Light Actions this year and love them. I had spd's before and had no problem switching over. The cleats make the shoes very slick to walk in, even on concrete, so I would recommend getting the cleat covers for your shoes. I didn't have any break in clipping out--they were smooth as silk--but clipping in was stiff for a few weeks.

[Becky]

Another Zero fan here. I do have a little bit of trouble with brand-new cleats, but they loosen up nicely after a little while. I do "the wiggle" with new cleats, but can step straight down with broken-in ones. No hotspot troubles here- the combined platform of the pedal and cleat is as big as the Looks that I used to use.

I've also used Speedplay Xs, and liked them a lot. The only reason that I switched so that I could limit the inboard float. I think I still have the Xs and new cleats somewhere if you're interested...

[roadie gal]

A vote for Speedplay X2's. I have a funky right knee and my SPD's were giving me pain. The Speedplays ended my knee pain. Like everyone has said, there's a bit of a learning curve to get used to the float. But I wouldn't trade them for anything now.

[Nightowl]

I'm a new rider. (Started in May and have about 1200 miles in since then.)

I switched from platform to Speedplay Frogs last month. I couldn't be happier with the choice. I've fallen twice due to just plain silliness and the learning curve. Otherwise, I have found them easy to get in and out of and my knees feel great. They are mountain types and the shoes are very comfortable and easy to walk around in.

Good luck with your choice.

[Crankin]

I've been using Speedplay X2s since 2002, after about a year with spd pedals. My knees love the float. Never have any trouble clipping out. I do have a little trouble clipping in my left foot. I had a shim under the cleat and it was screwing up the spring, so I took the shim out and it's much better. I was considering getting the light actions, but I have heard that you can unclip unintentionally and that does not thrill me.
My other bikes have campus pedals with spd clips on one side and flat on the other. It feels very "constricting" to ride without the float of the Speedplays when I ride my hybrid or mtb.
Get the cleat covers. I don't know how anyone could even attempt to walk without them. Plus, even the tiniest bit of dirt will mess up the cleats and you won't be able to clip in.

[PinkBike]

there was a recent thread here about just this issue, but i'm too lazy to look it up. something about not good for small women? small feet? however, since i am not a small woman, and do not have small feet (!) i absolutely love my speedplays. except if you have to go thru dirt or sand you will never clip in again. if you do you will not get out of them.

ok, maybe not never, but the sand and dirt stick into the cleats and you have to wash them out. This happens every year at the river crossings at el tour de tucson and i'm still searching for that perfect device to cover the cleats while we walk thru the washes.

[arielmoon]

Love my speedplay 5X's!

[NbyNW]

I've got Speedplay Frogs. I can't compare them to other pedals, but I did feel that they were pretty easy to learn how to get in and out of, and I like that they allow a certain degree of float.

I have started to have a little bit of pain in my toes that sounds like the first blush of hot foot, but hopefully I can nip that in the bud and take care of it in the off season.

[Crankin]

Yes, my issue of clipping in is the one that smaller women have, hence my thinking about getting the light actions. But, removing my shim seems to have fixed the issue. I always wear down the left cleat faster, since I always unclip on that side. No matter what I do, I cannot train myself to do this on the right; I can unclip right side when mountain biking, but I think that's a self preservation issue :) and you don't have to lean over quite as much. Thus, my left cleat is always needing more lubing and TLC.
The regular Speedplay cleat covers should work when you are doing the river or wash crossings. Mine worked like a charm when walking through the very sandy parking lot at the beach, after learning the hard way that you need to actually put them on for them to work in this spot. I used up almost a whole water bottle cleaning the sand out, so I could continue.

[Bike Chick]

I learned the hard way about the cleats too. I was used to my spds and stopped for a poddy break at a corn field. I told everyone to go ahead and I would catch up but couldn't clip back in when I tried to get back on my bike. When i dug enough dirt out with a stick to clip in, then I couldn't get unclipped when I stopped. I was so far back by that point there was no catching up. Gotta have the covers if you are going to get off the bike!!

[Kathi]

I'm a small footed rider, size 5 shoe, who loves her Speedplays and yes, you need to have the covers. I also learned the hard way, walked through mud and then couldn't clip back in. The covers also help for walking on linoleum floors, ie. restaurants. You also need to lube them about every 2 rides, although I can't say I follow this schedule, and occasionally have the LBS lube the pedals. I change cleats about 2,000 miles or when the springs look flat.

If you do get dirt in the cleats run a thin wire or a very small screwdriver between the cleat and it knocks the crud right out.

Btw, I use Sidi shoes and the Speedplay website has a list of recommended shoes.

If you install them yourself do not tighten the screws on the cleats to tight, you won't be able to clip in.

[Eden]

Small feet and extra shims here. I have Zeros. I do have to be quite precise about the cleat placement on my left shoe (the one with about 1/4" of shims) or it will be impossible to clip in.
I also have a small foot - I wear a Specialized size 36. With small feet you have to be *very* careful to follow the directions about cleat installation and put the correct cleat shims (included) in. If the cleats don't sit level on your shoes you will either not be able to clip in or you will not be able to stay clipped in.
I have found they need a bit of break in, but after that they are not difficult for me to clip in and out from (and I'm light). Definitely get the cleat covers.

[ccnyc]

If you do get dirt in the cleats run a thin wire or a very small screwdriver between the cleat and it knocks the crud right out.

I carry a paper clip on my shoe in case I need to dig out the dirt. The clip is always there so I don't have to think about it, especially if I'm a good girl and use my cleat covers. I have Speedplay Zero's and I love them.

[PinkBike]

excellent idea, the paper clip!!

going thru the washes i saw several speedplay covers laying in the sand.

i'm thinking of some kind of bootie over the shoe-and-cover setup, like surgeons wear, maybe?

[tc1]

I love my speedplay frogs. I had SPDs on another bike and hated them. I ride a road bike with full fenders, and I have never had an issue with grit in the cleats. My shoes are SIDI mega size, the mountain bike model. SIDI is one of the brands where the only visible difference between mountain and street shoe is the mountain shoe has a lugged sole, so the cleat is off the ground while you are walking.

I have some minor trouble with hot spots, but that is a shoe fit issue that I have with most shoes. Wide is relative, especially with Italian shoes. I am seriously considering a trip to California to that place that makes custom bike shoes. Or finding a way to attach a cleat to a hiking boot.

[lo123]

Small feet and extra shims here. I have Zeros. I do have to be quite precise about the cleat placement on my left shoe (the one with about 1/4" of shims) or it will be impossible to clip in.
I also have a small foot - I wear a Specialized size 36. With small feet you have to be *very* careful to follow the directions about cleat installation and put the correct cleat shims (included) in. If the cleats don't sit level on your shoes you will either not be able to clip in or you will not be able to stay clipped in.

I ran into that problem, even with wearing 38s. It was dang near impossible for me to clip in, and I got stuck and couldnt' clip out on a few occasions. I think if I'd had a better cleat fitting that might not have been such a big deal.

I'll note that I could not use Speedplays (of any variety) due to the amount of rotation needed for me to get clipped in (per LBS this is just because of new cleats, but I have hip issues that aren't going away. I imagine it could cause problems for someone with knee issues specific to rotation as well.) . I went with Look Keos. Dislike that you can only clip in on one side and that I can't get quite as much float that I need, but I can clip in/out easily.

[Miranda]

I tried the zeros and light actions in a shop trainer. Did not like them. How they engaged. The stomp straight down thing.

Plus, with all my might I could not stomp into the zeros. In trim riding season I'm about 120# w/gear on. The LA I could stomp in w/some definate effort. But, I was not "omg $200 impressed worth" with the platform support.

I had been using ds stock mtb pedals on the roadie. Lead to lots of numb foot and other problems (too small pressure contact point on ball of foot).

I ended up going with Look Keo Elle pedals. Love em. Easy to get in and out. Supportive. If you need more float, you can get the optional red cleat = more float.

However, of all roadie pedals I tried... the new ultegra pedal was a rock solid connection. But, a wee bit too tight for my taste to release.

FWIW.:)

[AllezGirl]

Love my Speedplays. I started with Light Action, which were easier to get in and out of. But after a few rides I realized I needed to be able to lock out the float, so I switched to Zeros. They were really hard to get into the first time I used them (which was on a group ride with my new team...that was pretty embarrassing) But it got easier after just a few clip/unclips.

I used to suffer from pretty bad hot foot, but since switching to a pedal with a larger platform didn't seem to help (Looks then Ultegras), I wasn't too worried about switching back to a smaller pedal.

FWIW, as far as hot foot...I had it bad. Usually after 50 miles I would have to take off my socks, and then stop every few miles to massage the feeling back into my toes. I've tried switching pedals, cleat position, even putting biofreeze on my feet. Finally I was talking to a friend who mentioned that Specialized insoles come with three different arch supports. Red (the lowest) is the default. I tried the blue (medium or average) then the green (high). Once I switched to the green, I never had a problem again!

[Jaclyn]

I was used to Time ATAC's on my previous bikes, and really struggled in the beginning when I switched to Speedplay Zero's on my road bikes.

1) It took me time to change how I engaged the pedals ... I was used to pushing forward and down at an angle and the Speedplays need you to step straight down
2) At <115 pounds, I think I lacked the force required for Zero's and would have been better off with the Light Action. I spent a lot of time on the trainer getting in and out to loosen the spring on the cleat, which I also lube'd frequently.
3) Shoe covers are a must, as others reported ... these cleats will gather dirt and more as you walk around which will then prevent you from engaging
4) On positive, I have never experienced difficulties disengaging so no safety / falls coming to a stop

After a frustrating break in period I have eventually become a fan and have Speedplay Zero's on all my road bikes (and continue with the Time ATAC's on my touring/cyclocross bikes).

[Bike Chick]

FWIW, as far as hot foot...I had it bad. Usually after 50 miles I would have to take off my socks, and then stop every few miles to massage the feeling back into my toes. I've tried switching pedals, cleat position, even putting biofreeze on my feet. Finally I was talking to a friend who mentioned that Specialized insoles come with three different arch supports. Red (the lowest) is the default. I tried the blue (medium or average) then the green (high). Once I switched to the green, I never had a problem again!

AllezGirl, I've suffered with the same thing. Thanks so much for the info. I'm buying the green and see if it helps me too! At this point, I will try anything.

[Becky]

AllezGirl, I've suffered with the same thing. Thanks so much for the info. I'm buying the green and see if it helps me too! At this point, I will try anything.

Me too! The blues are good, but I'm still getting some toe numbness, so they're not great :(

[Jo-n-NY]

I also use the Speedplay Frogs, actually have 9,000 miles on them, nothing had to be replaced. I like using a mtn shoe because of the walkability and the frogs were so easy to unclip because there is not spring, just twist and lift. However, should I ever decide to go with a road shoe I would go with the Speedplay Liteactions.

I also have never had hot foot problems.

~ JoAnn