Speedplay X series or Light Action?

[Scubamom]

I plan to replace my SPD pedals with Speedplays. I'm not clear on the difference between the Speedplay X series and the Light Action. I've seen a lot of good comments on the X series here on the forum, but not much about the Light Action. Anyone here using the Light Actions? What are the differences between the two?

Thanks

[sah]

Light action was in response to users having difficulty clipping in and out. I have x's and haven't had any problems. I just stand on the pedal and move my foot until it engages. The double sided entry is nice.

[PinkBike]

i think the light action are very nice, it is really easy to clip in and out. however there is no adjustable float, it's max float and some people have a hard time with that. i have zero, and X, and light action. the light action are the cheapest and they come in all sorts of colors. i prefer zero only because i dont like a lot of float.

[velogirl]

I would recommend zero over both X and light action. For many riders, the X series has too much float! While float is good for many with knee issues, a large amount of float can spell serious problems, especially for less experienced riders. Until you have developed the muscles to support your knees and to track in a neutral plane, too much float can lead to injuries.

[Batbike]

I would recommend zero over both X and light action. For many riders, the X series has too much float! While float is good for many with knee issues, a large amount of float can spell serious problems, especially for less experienced riders. Until you have developed the muscles to support your knees and to track in a neutral plane, too much float can lead to injuries.

I have X series and wondered if I am experiencing too much float -- I have used the X3/X5 for 4 years (because of previous knee issues) but started experiencing new knee problems last year. Someone mentioned my foot/knee position due to float, making me wonder if I needed to change to Zero with less float. What type of injuries does too much float cause? How do you know if you have too much float?

am I hyjacking the thread? ... sorry ... didn't mean too ... thanks.

[nebiker]

I got a pair of Light Actions to put on my new Pilot 2.1 this spring. They are WONDERFUL, I used SPD's on my old Huffy bike, that I turned into a commuting bike. However, I would much rather use the light actions over the spd's any time of the day! The only issue I've had with them was on the first ride, I lost one of the cleat screws. However, I've been able to replace that and no worries since then. You couldn't pay me enough to go back to either the SPD's or platforms. Just my opinion though.

[Scubamom]

I was originally considering the Zero's but had heard of several people who said they were very hard to clip in and out of for anyone petite. I'm only 5'2" with small size 6 feet (a bit heavier than I'd like, but we won't go there). I was wondering if the X series fell somewhere in between the Light Action and the Zeros.

How hard are the Zeros for anyone small?

[Pedal Wench]

One other consideration is that the Zero's and Light Actions are less prone to dirt and gunk. The small bar that the X's use can get clogged with dirt or mud, but the 'C' clamp design of the Zero and LightAction doesn't clog up as easily.

[PinkBike]

scubamom - when the zeroes are new they're very hard to clip into

pedalwench - true, from personal experience. one time i thought i'd do DH a favor before the Tour de Scottsdale and grease up his X cleats like i do on my Zeroes. before the ride, he went to the portapotty which was in a gravel area and when the race finally started he couldn't clip in - for the whole 70+ miles!!! i also had put his front wheel on after getting the bikes out of the SUV and i inadvertantly put it on backwards so he didn't have a speedometer either. and he still loves me . . . .

[Kathi]

I was originally considering the Zero's but had heard of several people who said they were very hard to clip in and out of for anyone petite. I'm only 5'2" with small size 6 feet (a bit heavier than I'd like, but we won't go there). I was wondering if the X series fell somewhere in between the Light Action and the Zeros.

How hard are the Zeros for anyone small?

I'm the same size as you, size 5 shoe and I've used Speedplay X's for years. Last year I had a torn MCL/ACL and was able to clip out, on my trainer bike, with my injured leg without issue.

With Speedplays if the screws on the cleats are too tight it is difficult to clip in and out.

I use cleat covers when I'm walking, they keep the dirt out of my cleats and protects them from wear and tear.

I have knee issues and Speedplay X's are the only clipless pedal that my ortho recommends because he says I need the float.

[CR400]

But do remember to put some lube on them though. I know from doing it they are really hard to clip in (X-series)if they aren't lubed regularly. In fact near impossible.

Its really up to you I personally really like the X's I have but wouldn't mind getting zeros if they weren't so expensive. The light action sounded like more of a recreational style so they didn't interest me. Although I have accidently unclipped a few times on my trainer, never on the road though.

Interesting that I have heard mentioned more then once that the extra float can be bad. They did feel a little strange when I first started using them becaue I could move my foot so much and stay on the pedel. I made the jump from those stupid toe clip, cages whatever. But within two rides I was fine.