Pedals: SpeedPlays & SPD

[Miranda]

I am considering SpeedPlays for my road bike and am torn between the zero pedal, and light action.

The light action pedal states that it is not for agressive riding, but very easy in and out. What does 'agressive' mean in this case I wonder? Standing on sprints and climbs? I assume agressive runs the risk of unintentional release.

I have a mtb pedal that came with my Giant OCR1 now. Shimano M505, double sided, and multi-release spd cleats. I had single release once, and not being used to them, caused a crash (only one way out). Plus I felt really locked in with my knee. Old pains there, not good. Thus, another draw to SpeedPlays for float.

Lastly, I saw the X pedal has even greater float than the light action or zero (15degree there)... like 20+ degree for the X. The SPD comparison is about 6degrees. Think mine must be more with multirelease cleats??? ...sometimes I do have that feeling that I might unclip standing, but am just careful not to twist too hard. Knocking through cyber wood, never yet anyway.

Any advice on the choices?

Thanks!
Miranda

[Kathi]

I don't know anything about the light action or zero pedals but I've used the X's for years in all kinds of riding and conditions and not unintentally clipped out so my recommendation is to go with the X's.

The only time I have trouble clipping/unclipping is when my cleats have dirt or the screws are to tight not allowing the spring to release.

I have chrondomalicia in both knees and my ortho insists that Speedplays are the only pedal I should use.

If you get the X's remember to buy covers for walking to protect the cleats and keep dirt out of them.

I don't know the degree of float for the X's but they are free float which means you can move your foot in any direction. If it were possible you could make a complete circle with your foot clipped in.

Have you looked at the Speedplay website?

When I got mine I was told my foot would feel like I was slipping on ice. For some reason they felt very comfortable from the very beginning.

[Miranda]

I don't know anything about the light action or zero pedals but I've used the X's for years in all kinds of riding and conditions and not unintentally clipped out so my recommendation is to go with the X's.

The only time I have trouble clipping/unclipping is when my cleats have dirt or the screws are to tight not allowing the spring to release.

I have chrondomalicia in both knees and my ortho insists that Speedplays are the only pedal I should use.

If you get the X's remember to buy covers for walking to protect the cleats and keep dirt out of them.

I don't know the degree of float for the X's but they are free float which means you can move your foot in any direction. If it were possible you could make a complete circle with your foot clipped in.

Have you looked at the Speedplay website?

When I got mine I was told my foot would feel like I was slipping on ice. For some reason they felt very comfortable from the very beginning.

Thx for that first hand info on use. I get numbness on the balls of my feet too. I started with mtb shoes. A stiffer road shoe helped some. I like the idea of the X having a larger platforn it states on the SpeedPlay website. I think this would help the numbness as well. My right side is the problem child. That is the side that has the old knee injury. A PT 'released' some fashia issues with it (as they say) and this helped. It's funny how one thing throws everything else out of whack. I worked on my fit with a lbs also to help the knee. The lbs guy adjusted my right cleat on my SPDs to angle outward slightly. This helped the knee too. So, I know my knees do not like the locked straight in position. I bet I would like them from the start as you say. My multi-release SPDs feel like the stepping on ice sensation too.

[Becky]

The 3 series of Speedplay road pedals are all slightly different animals, which makes it confusing! The platform size on all of them is probably about the same when you take the cleat into consideration, and they all have free float, not self-centering like Looks or SPD-SLs. None of them have adjustable tension (like you'd find on SPDs or Looks) either. This is not a bad thing IMO.

X-series: About ~28 degrees of float before you hit the release point. No adjustments whatsoever. I ride Xs and love them. I've never felt like I was going to pull out, and I kind of like the "ice-skating" sensation.

Zeros: 0-15 degrees of adjustable free float. The cleat itself has little set screws that you adjust to limit the float in each direction (inside towards the bike and outside away from it). I'd probably loosen the screws all the way to get the whole 15 degrees.

Light Actions: ~20 degrees (I think) of "semi-adjustable" free float. You can adjust the point at which your foot stops moving by turning a screw on the cleat, similar to pointing an SPD cleat one direction or the other. Speedplay calls it "heel in" and "heel out" adjustment. I used to work with a guy who rode LAs, and he never complained of pulling out, despite the fact that he's way stronger than I am.

Cleat covers are a great idea! Those cleats ain't cheap, nor are they at all "walking-friendly".

Good luck making your choice! I don't think that you can go wrong with any of the Speedplays.

[Miranda]

The 3 series of Speedplay road pedals are all slightly different animals, which makes it confusing! The platform size on all of them is probably about the same when you take the cleat into consideration, and they all have free float, not self-centering like Looks or SPD-SLs. None of them have adjustable tension (like you'd find on SPDs or Looks) either. This is not a bad thing IMO.

X-series: About ~28 degrees of float before you hit the release point. No adjustments whatsoever. I ride Xs and love them. I've never felt like I was going to pull out, and I kind of like the "ice-skating" sensation.

Zeros: 0-15 degrees of adjustable free float. The cleat itself has little set screws that you adjust to limit the float in each direction (inside towards the bike and outside away from it). I'd probably loosen the screws all the way to get the whole 15 degrees.

Light Actions: ~20 degrees (I think) of "semi-adjustable" free float. You can adjust the point at which your foot stops moving by turning a screw on the cleat, similar to pointing an SPD cleat one direction or the other. Speedplay calls it "heel in" and "heel out" adjustment. I used to work with a guy who rode LAs, and he never complained of pulling out, despite the fact that he's way stronger than I am.

Cleat covers are a great idea! Those cleats ain't cheap, nor are they at all "walking-friendly".

Good luck making your choice! I don't think that you can go wrong with any of the Speedplays.

Thx for that info, very helpful.

[colby]

I found the descriptions on the Speedplay site of the different cleats really confusing. I actually bought the Light Actions on my new tri bike based on a bike shop recommendation (was using SPD-SLs on my road bike) and went back to the Speedplay site later to figure out what I had done.

I have to say, even though I don't really know what I'd choose if I had to do it without someone's help, I really do love them and am going to replace my road bike's pedals with a set of Light Actions too (I have two pairs of shoes and now I'm stuck riding one for my road bike, would rather interchange them). They are super super easy to get out of, getting into them took some getting used to after using SPD-SLs -- the cleat is where you'd expect it to be, but it's different to engage. Not really difficult, just different.

I do like the float, especially compared to where I was before. I have not had problems with accidentally pulling out of them in approaching 1000 miles, so far, with lots of varying terrain including exciting and fun hill climbs, descents, and flats.

[roadie gal]

I've been using the X series for years. I have one funky knee that forces me to keep my foot slightly rotated. The Speedplays saved my riding. I've never accidentally released. But it may be difficult to clip in if there is dirt in the cleat.

[tracik]

I've only ever ridden SPD's and Speedplay X series pedals, so I can't compare some of the others you're checking out, BUT I can say that I LOVE my Speedplays. I've been on them for probably 6 years or so and they are great. They have just the right amount of float for a knee that's had 2 surgeries, yet they don't feel crazy-loose that you just pop right out when you don't want to. I think the only time they've released without my trying to disengage is when I've crashed...but that's a good thing, I think! Good luck with your decision.