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 . 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.

[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.