Speedplay?

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...

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!

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

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!

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love my speedplay 5X's!

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.

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.

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!!

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.