Pedal choice

[Trekhawk]

Looking for new pedals and think I have narrowed it down to Speedplay Zeros or Crank Brothers Quattro Sl road pedals.

I am going to try and give them both a go at the bike shop but would love to hear any input you guys may have about the above pedals. If anyone has used both would love to hear which they prefer and why.

[KSH]

I love the SpeedPlays... because I didn't like my foot being locked into one spot on the pedal.

Due to the fact that my cleat was positioned wrong for about the first 500 miles on my bike... and because I was mashing the pedals... I ended up with acute knee pain that I had to recover from (it took about 2 months of 10-12 MPH riding to do it!).

So, I switched to SpeedPlays... so I would have to worry about a cleat being positioned properly.

After slow riding and using the SpeedPlays, my knee pain is just about gone (very minor pain flares up on occasion)... another benefit to the pedals... it is SO EASY to clip in and OUT!

So yea... I say... go with the SpeedPlays.

[emily_in_nc]

I've posted this on another thread, but I find Speedplay Zeros very hard to clip into. I've loosened the screws as far as I can safely loosen, lubed them, etc., and they are still hard to get into. My husband loves his and says they loosen up over time. Then again, he can stand over my bike and clip into mine fine, so I think part of it is a weight thing. I posted my problem on a different forum, and a (male) bike shop owner chimed in and said that he doesn't recommend them for petite women as they can be a bit hard to get clipped in if you don't have enough body weight to put behind them. I hope mine will loosen up, because I bought the ti ones, which were very spendy, and I had such high hopes! I love them once clipped in, but it can take awhile to get there! Clipping out takes a little more oomph than my old Speedplay X-2s and my Eggbeaters (on my mtb and touring bikes), but is not a problem; I've never gotten stuck in them; however, I have ridden a mile or more unable to clip in with my second foot!

Just a data point...I've heard from other women who have the same problem as me and some who love them and don't have a single problem. Maybe it just depends upon which pair you happen to get?!

Emily, still trying to get them to work (stubborn as a mule!! )

[Pedal Wench]

Emily, I had the same problem. I'm not quite as light as you but still not really beefy. I actually called Speedplay (I think I spoke to Dave) and they offered to send me 'pre-broken-in' cleats, but said to give it time. Mine took a while, but they finally got there. I spent a few nights clipping in and out while I was watching tv. I love them now too. My BF just got me the ti ones for my birthday, and I'm not sure I wanna go through the breaking in period again!

To the Original Poster - I love my speedplays. I couldn't imagine riding anything else. I also would recommend the Zero's over the X's. Much easier to unclip, with adjustable release angles.

[Surlygirl]

My vote is for the Crank Brother's Quattro. I just put these on my new bike. I had the candies and loved them (they now reside on my mountain bike) and then tried the Quattro. Easy on the knees and very easy to get in and out of and they come in some cool colors too. I use them without the plastic bottom plate with mountain shoes. I have bad knees so having float and not having to put a lot of force twisting to get out of them was important and they click in easily.
See if you can try both at you LBS

[Trekhawk]

Thanks everyone. I have been reading all the posts about speedplay pedals and was pretty much sold on those until someone mentioned the Crank Brothers Quattro pedals.

I am not the best at clipping in and wonder if I might have the same problem as some of you have experienced. My weight is 125 (dont know how that rates on the small to large scale) and dont want to find myself without the power needed to get in and out.

I read a thread about the Look Keos and that they are better for men and women with larger size feet - and that some bike shops recommend Zeros for women with smaller feet (I am not looking at Keos but was interested in the comment about Zeros for smaller feet).

I havent been riding long but Im gradually getting more confident in my abilities and Im increasing my distances each week. I dont want to find myself with a pair of pedals that stress me and out and perhaps take away some of my new found confidence.