Anyone have experience going from SPD-SLs to Speedplays?

[thekarens]

I'm considering swapping my pedals. I have no issues with the way the SLs work, but I'd like a bit more float and I have to admit I'd enjoy a duel entry. For whatever reason I'm still having issues getting that second foot clipped back in and I think a dual entry would be nice. MTB pedals are out as my shoe is a road shoe with 3 bolts.

My concerns are the learning curve on Speedplays and which ones? It wasn't fun learning to get used to my SLs and now that I've got it down I'm not looking forward to something else that will take a long while to get used to. I'm hoping I'll hear it's super easy to get used to :) Also, if I do go with Speedplays which ones should I get?

[ny biker]

I went from some kind of SPDs to Speedplays ("X" somethings) with no problem. I have some scar tissue in my right ankle from surgery, so I used to have to clip out of the SPDs by turning my heel inward at the top of the pedal stroke to avoid pain. However with the Speedplays the only way to clip out is by turning your heel outward at the bottom of the pedal stroke, so I had to really relearn the muscle memory. And it was actually quite easy to get used to.

The only drawback I find with the Speedplays is that you really want to avoid getting dirt in the cleats. So if you're going to be walking on an unpaved surface (which I seem to do often, at reststops in parks and unpaved parking areas at big rides) you'll want to put cleat covers on. The covers are inexpensive and should be available from the same store that sold the cleats and pedals. It's just a pain to have to find room in them in my bike bag and then having to put them on and take them off at rest stops. Also they get dirty, so you'll want to keep them in a plastic bag when they're not on your shoes.

Also it helps to lube the cleats every few weeks. The LBS should be able to sell you that too. A small inexpensive bottle lasts a long long time.

[thekarens]

I knew that about having to be careful regarding dirt etc. I wondered about these leave on cleat covers, how well they work http://www.keeponkovers.com/Product.html

[ny biker]

I knew that about having to be careful regarding dirt etc. I wondered about these leave on cleat covers, how well they work http://www.keeponkovers.com/Product.html

They would protect the cleats from getting scuffed and scratched but would not keep the dirt out of the center, which is what matters most.

BTW I just remembered, I still have SPD pedals on my mountain bike, and have no trouble switching back and forth between them. Though I don't ride the mountain bike as much as I should...

[Becky]

I switched from Looks to Speedplays. No issues. I started with X-series pedals, and ultimately moved to Zeros because I wanted a little less float and some control over the amount of float. The downside to Zeros is that they take a fair amount of force, especially when the cleats are new. Light Actions are a good compromise for a lot of people- a little less float the Xs (same amount as Zeros), but a lighter spring and therefore less force.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=roadcompare.compareroad

[Crankin]

I went from regular SPDs to Speedplay Xs after a year, with absolutely no transition or issues. That was 9 years ago. The cleat covers are no big deal, we keep several extra ones around; they fit easily in a jersey pocket.

[Skippyak]

I have never used anything but speedplay zero, the learning curve was more about being clipped in than speedplay specific. I do have the keepcovers and I highly recommend them, I carry something to cover the exposed part were I to have to walk around in gravel or mud etc (imagine a small homemade shower cap fro each cleat LOL), if you do go with the speedplays my advise is to get the keep on covers and put them on before you ever use them as they will protect the wear you get in the cleat. mine don't last more than a year without the covers just from stopping, not walking around. The coffee covers don't offer wear protection while riding, only while walking.
The exit force required (at least in my zeros) is adjustable. It is very important to maintain the cleats though, keep them clean and examine the screws and keep the pedals clean, nothing extraordinary though. I now have 105s on my other bike and I have yet to try them out LOL, I suffer the same fear of the change. I would really prefer just to buy another set of pedals but I am too cheap and the 105s were free.

[thekarens]

I'm not sure my brain/body could ever get used to two different clipless systems at the same time :-) One is hard enough!

[Boudicca]

I'm not sure my brain/body could ever get used to two different clipless systems at the same time :-) One is hard enough!

+1

Not to mention the need to have different shoes to go with different bikes. The way I have things set up, I have SPD on all my bikes, and can use any pair of shoes on any bike.

Sorry. That doesn't answer the Speedplay question.

[Crankin]

Well, several of us here have different pedal systems on different bikes. I had my mountain bike with SPDs when I got the Speedplays and I also had SPDs on the Jamis Coda I had for 3 years. I didn't have any trouble switching between something that was already ingrained and the Speedplay Xs. Then I sold the mtb and Coda and put Speedplay Frogs on my custom road bike as I wanted to be able to wear mtb shoes on this bike. That was a bit of a curve because it is so easy I kept unclipping by accident.
I have 2 pairs of shoes, which is worth it and I also kept the cheap level Sidis I had with SPDs for the occasional spin class.

[sgf726]

I found there was no learning curve with the Speedplays, just clip in and go. I also have no problems switching between the SP on my road and tribike and the SPD on my mountain bike. I also use the mtn bike shoes for spin class.

[gnat23]

I went from some kind of SPDs to Speedplays ("X" somethings) with no problem. I have some scar tissue in my right ankle from surgery, so I used to have to clip out of the SPDs by turning my heel inward at the top of the pedal stroke to avoid pain. However with the Speedplays the only way to clip out is by turning your heel outward at the bottom of the pedal stroke, so I had to really relearn the muscle memory. And it was actually quite easy to get used to.

+1 (came here to say this)

I guess turning the heel IN on the SPDs was a bad habit of mine and needed fixing anyway, but that was the only major difference I observed.

Oh, and I had the hard plastic covers for the speedplays that I brought with me on rides, so I could walk around in the coffeeshop without killing myself. I eventually decided to standardize all my cleats and shoes on one system and got rid of all my Speedplay/crank brothers stuff to use only SPD.

-- gnat!