new clipless pedals - frustrated (speedplay zero)

[Miranda]

My humble vote fwiw... trash those things and get Look Keos. They make an Elle which I have on my bike 8-12nm release tension I think. The classics and sprints are now 9-12nm for 2009. Wee bit tougher to get out than my tiny weak ankles liked. Plus, the Elles ended up matching my new ride nicely.

OK.... I tried diff pedals and the light actions and zeros both. I average about 120#s & the zeros were a freakin nightmare. That I did not end up buying. I literally stood on those things and jumped etc. Nope. Not going in. Peeps told me they would loosen w/time just as posted. I just could not see them getting to a point where I would be comfy with them. Plus, I just hated how they engaged. Don't like that stomp straight down thing at all.

I love my Keos... they rock. Oh, and btw... I pretty much felt like crying myself when the pedals were not working for me either. It was honestly THAT frustrating!

Hope you get it worked out soon.

EDIT ADD: And congrats on the new bike!

[ccnyc]

The secret is not to have the 4 screws tightened down too much, or else it makes it very difficult to clip in and out. Loosen the screws just a little bit and see if that makes it easier. I've been using Speedplay Zeros for several years and just put on a new pair of cleats. Tried them on the trainer and it was scary-difficult clipping in and unclipping. I could barely clip in or out. I backed off the screws just a bit and it was much easier to clip in and out. Then I clipped in and unclipped for a few minutes and they're almost perfect now.
I love my Speedplays.

[emily_in_nc]

I tried Speedplay Zeros a few years ago, and despite giving them several months trial, loosening the screws as much as was safe, etc. I could NOT clip into the darn things half the time with the second foot, and would often have to ride a mile with only one foot clipped in - frustrating and not efficient. Clipping out also took more effort than with other pedal systems (Speedplay X series, Eggbeaters). My DH loved his Zeros and had no difficulties.

At that time, Speedplay hadn't yet developed the Light Action pedals. I read that they were developed in response to problems people (especially light females) had with Speedplay Zeros. I never tried the LA's but did end up selling the Zeros for almost what I paid for them. I like Speedplay Frogs and Eggbeater Candies. I'd rather use mountain pedals than road pedals these days anyway, as I like walkable shoes (esp. my Keen Commuter sandals!)

I weigh 102-104 and just couldn't use Zeros. I've heard of many women with the same problem. You can give them a bit more time (my DH did confirm that for him they did loosen up a bit over time), or cut your losses, sell them on ebay, and buy yourself another type of pedal!

Good luck...

[smilingcat]

+1 with ccnyc.

If you crank down the screws on cleats onto your shoes, there is a slight chance to bind the tension/pin/spring which is exposed on the "bottom" side of the cleat. The side that mates to the shoes. And when they bind between the sole of your shoes and the cleat, its nearly impossible to release.

Sometimes the difference is only a quarter of a turn on the screw. I would also highly recommend that you use the non-permanent kind of lock tight goop thingy. I'm not a car mechanic so I don't really know what it is called. Anyway, your husband should know what it is.

Give it a try with the zero/light... with backing out the screws by quarter of a turn. At most 1/2 a turn.

I've been happy with all my speedplay pedals. And I've been using them since when they first came out. Can't afford to switch over to zero cause all my bikes have X3 speedplay and my shoes all have X3 cleats. Have no intention of spending nearly $1000 to switch over.

I really love my speedplay. Phenominal cornering clearance. Sole of the shoe is about as close to the spindle center unlike other pedal system. And they are ultra light weight (if you are a weight weenie). I also love the fact I don't have to worry about which side is up.

[lo123]

You guys are awesome!

I was initially going to go with Keo Pedals (look style), but according to LBS, they've had problems with the cleats fitting on shoes under size 40 properly (I have Bontrager RL Road WSD in 38.5). They suggested the speedplays.

I'll try loosening the screws and see if that works. LBS installed the cleats and I didn't test before leaving. Dumb, I know. Never again!

In the meantime, hubby has removed my spd pedals from my 'cross bike so I'll have them just in case.

[lo123]

Well, loosening the screws didn't work.. and I ended up tweaking both my hips
LBS tomorrow.

[Miranda]

I was initially going to go with Keo Pedals (look style), but according to LBS, they've had problems with the cleats fitting on shoes under size 40 properly (I have Bontrager RL Road WSD in 38.5)

Yea... the Keos do have make a wide platform. That was my draw to them. I had some numb foot issues and part of it was due to the small surface of the mtb pedals I had on my roadie girl. I went w/the stiffest shoe I couldbuy that fit my weird foot shap + the widest platform that I could clip outta.

Did the lbs try a cleat on your shoe? I went and measured my Keo cleat and I think I get 63mm wide and 65mm long, fwiw.

Not feeling confident you can get out when you want to can be really bad. With some other pedals, I feel over clipped in at stop sign into a ditch w/a car approaching on my left. Had I fallen to the left... the lady would have ran me over. Thus, why I really wanted to make sure I could get out from day 1 of install.

I was not sure about the "kick it over" thing either of ss pedals. My mtb were ds spds. But, they hang weighted. After a while, you can almost feel when you put your foot down (without looking) if the pedal is on the correct side. At times I have given it a good kick/flip w/o looking (like in group rides)... and got in. And I've gotten pretty good at pedaling one legged not clipped in too--not all a bad thing. Good Luck!

[lo123]

SO...
Went back to LBS. They had installed the cleats and pedals.
Well, turns out that Bontrager shoes under size 40 or so don't like clipless pedals. Apparently even the manufacturer knows this (so the LBS guy says--though they haven't shared this with everyone in the store), they haven't fixed it. GRRRR.

So, I got a refund on the shoes. I rode tonight with my SPD MTB shoes. MISERABLE. The fit was off because my shoes and pedals were different from the original. I hurt my hips, back and knees. Let's just say it's been a bad week.

I'm currently shopping online for a carbon road shoe that's not a Bontrager. Thinking Sidi or Northwave. Once I get new shoes, I'll try again and see how it goes. Until then, I'm taking a break. Let my body recuperate. Do some swimming or something. Just not riding the bike until I get things straightened out.

[tzvia]

I've had good luck (and lots of comfort) with Shimano WR60 shoes. They work well with my Speedplay X1s, have CF soles and are very comfortable (I wear size 38). Only 'downside' is that the internal pad is your basic flat sheet of material so I bought cycling insoles (Specialized BG footbeds). They are a little wider than my SIDI Zephyrs in the toe box, feel plenty stiff and are well made. I think the upper end Shimano shoes are way underrated and they are a great buy. My new Zephyrs are gathering dust...

[SadieKate]

I was initially going to go with Keo Pedals (look style), but according to LBS, they've had problems with the cleats fitting on shoes under size 40 properly (I have Bontrager RL Road WSD in 38.5). They suggested the speedplays.

Huh.

I wear size 38 Sidi Genius and don't have a problem.

And I've used Looks forever and a day when the pedal and cleat were larger.

skyler, you have the tension adjusted as loosely as possible on the problem foot? If you only began cycling 3 weeks ago and you're this far along with clipless pedals, give yourself a break. It takes practice to make it a habit to clip in easily on both sides without looking.

[emily_in_nc]

I've been happy with all my speedplay pedals. And I've been using them since when they first came out. Can't afford to switch over to zero cause all my bikes have X3 speedplay and my shoes all have X3 cleats. Have no intention of spending nearly $1000 to switch over.

I rode Speedplay X-2s for years prior to trying Zeros and NEVER had problems clipping in (unless they got caked in mud, like on the C&O Towpath on Bike Virginia one year!) Totally different situation with the Speedplay Zeros for me. They gave me big problems clipping in, even trying all the tips mentioned on this thread. I really liked them once I got clipped in b/c the X-2s gave me more float than I needed and robbed me of some power.

[lo123]

I love my Keos... they rock. Oh, and btw... I pretty much felt like crying myself when the pedals were not working for me either. It was honestly THAT frustrating!

Hope you get it worked out soon.

EDIT ADD: And congrats on the new bike!

Thank you.. Now I don't feel so pathetic.

And thanks, I love the bike, just wish I could ride it! I did manage to get clipped in long enough to take her up a hill by my house... She flies.

[Pedal Wench]

Oh - I forgot that you should DEFINITELY put a few drops of dry lube on the cleats - a drop on each side of the exposed C-clamp.

I ride with people who use Look pedals. I always give them space, because they always swerve and look down to flip the pedals when they start. With the Speedplay, I just put my foot down, give it an extra 'umph' to clip in, and go.

[yetigooch]

I bought a pair of zeros for my wife's new bike and she had problems getting into them. My lbs said that speedplays have this problem with lighter riders. I swapped them out with my Look Keo carbons and she now has no problem getting in and out. The zeros are on my bike and seem to work fine.

[Eden]

Careful with the Speedplays and small shoes too - I have tiny feet.,36s, and the person I had do my cleat fitting didn't install the correct spacers. I was popping right out with hardly any pressure until I figured out that he'd set them up wrong. I tried the Light Actions, but they were way too easy - I could pull out of them unintentionally. I swapped them for Zeros and even though I'm only about 104 lbs, I haven't had any problems, especially not getting out, which seems very easy. I do have to twist, but don't have to pull up hard. Definitely do try lubing them. That helps with clipping in quite a bit. Give them a little time too. They seem to have a bit of a break in period.