Road Pedal- Speedplay or Quattro?

[bike4ever]

Ask your LBS if you can try both pedals while on a trainer. Yes this will take time by the shop, but you are their customer. You need to make the decision for yourself.

[Pedal Wench]

I have Zeros and I love them. I don't have Quattros, but I do have Candy's on my mtb. I really prefer the Zeros. At first, they are harder to clip into, because the spring is tight, but within a week, they're loosened up. Also, when installing the cleats, you have to be careful not to overtighten the screws, because this will also make it harder to get into. I like them because the shape of the cleat guides your foot in. You just put your foot close to the right place and it slips right in. I guess with both, it's easy to pedal without being clipped in, like in traffic when you might need to quickly unclip.

[KnottedYet]

If you like really loose tension, easy to clip in/out, and dual-sided entry; have you considered Speedplay Frogs?

I use them on my Waterford roadie, and am very happy with them.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.frog

[Trekhawk]

Ask your LBS if you can try both pedals while on a trainer. Yes this will take time by the shop, but you are their customer. You need to make the decision for yourself.

Im with bikemom - if your LBS is happy to do this why not try both and decide for yourself.

PS I love my Quattros but I havent tried the others so I might like them just as much.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm one of the folks who had a h*ll of a time clipping into Speedplay Zeros. I sprung for the titanium ones (had a big coupon from Performance) and loved them once I got into them (since I didn't need or want the FULL float of the X-series pedals), but clipping in with my second foot was very, very tough, despite using them on the trainer for quite some time trying to loosen them up and having DH adjust them numerous times. He had the screws as loose as they could be and not be dangerous to use. I can't tell you how many times I had to ride 1-2 miles without being clipped in on the right. VERY annoying on group rides when I couldn't take the time to coast over and over trying to clip in!

I did some research and found out that Speedplay itself acknowledged that smaller folks (me, 5'2", 105 lbs) could have difficulties clipping in (thus the "Light Action" models were created). And a couple of LBS owners responded to my queries on another bike forum and stated that they didn't recommend Zeros for their smaller female customers as they required more torque to clip in than some gals could generate consistently. I don't know your size, but it's something to keep in mind.

My DH (155 lbs, 5'10") LOVED his Zeros and had no problems clipping in. I have no problems clipping in with Speedplay X-2s and have ridden them for years.

I ended up selling my Zeros on Ebay -- got almost what I paid for them, fortunately.

Just my two cents....

Emily

[Aggie_Ama]

Emily- I think given my size and ability to really mash on a pedal I would have the same problem.

I rode for the first time today on my mountain bike with the Candy pedals and I really like them. My LBS doesn't have the Quattros, so I am going to see if they can order them. They used to have them in stock and I want to have them put them on so the fit isn't all out of whack. I just need to go in and talk to the owner (he fitted me).

If the Quattros don't work, I will probably sell them and try the Speedplay Light Action pedals. Of course the LBS would have to order those as well.

[traveller_62]

This is a great thread for me because I'm just about to order my first set of Speedplay pedals and I was debating between X2's and Zeros. Think I'll go with X2's.

I've heard that the cleats for Speedplay cleats are relatively high maintenance. Is that the experience of the seasoned Speedplay owners out there?

-CB

[emily_in_nc]

I've heard that the cleats for Speedplay cleats are relatively high maintenance. Is that the experience of the seasoned Speedplay owners out there?

Not really. So long as you squirt them with a little White Lightning (or similar dry lube) every now and then, mine have been fine (X-series). The only time I've gotten into trouble is when I had to walk in them on dirt or sand. They do clog up, and you'll have to find a stick or squirt water in them to get the gunk out or you WON'T be able to clip in. A good solution is coffee-shop caps (cleat covers), which Performance sells. Make sure to get the ones specific to the type of cleats you have. Keep 'em in a jersey pocket and slip them on if you have to take a nature break or walk on dirt at a rest stop, and nothing can hurt your cleats.

Hope this helps!

Emily

[Running Mommy]

I have the x2's and LOVE EM!! But I like the float. Some folks don't.
All my husbands friends tease me about my "lollipop" pedals, but I don't care. I like em, they work, 'nough said!

[Pedal Wench]

Not really. So long as you squirt them with a little White Lightning (or similar dry lube) every now and then, mine have been fine (X-series). The only time I've gotten into trouble is when I had to walk in them on dirt or sand. They do clog up, and you'll have to find a stick or squirt water in them to get the gunk out or you WON'T be able to clip in. A good solution is coffee-shop caps (cleat covers), which Performance sells. Make sure to get the ones specific to the type of cleats you have. Keep 'em in a jersey pocket and slip them on if you have to take a nature break or walk on dirt at a rest stop, and nothing can hurt your cleats.

Hope this helps!

Emily

That's the main reason I prefer the Zero's. They don't have that problem with dirt and sand. Or, I should say, as bad a problem, although I still recommend the cleat covers.

The screws are a bit picky. Too tight and the cleats are harder to clip into, and too loose and they fall out.