Speedplay?

[Crankin]

I've been using Speedplay X2s since 2002, after about a year with spd pedals. My knees love the float. Never have any trouble clipping out. I do have a little trouble clipping in my left foot. I had a shim under the cleat and it was screwing up the spring, so I took the shim out and it's much better. I was considering getting the light actions, but I have heard that you can unclip unintentionally and that does not thrill me.
My other bikes have campus pedals with spd clips on one side and flat on the other. It feels very "constricting" to ride without the float of the Speedplays when I ride my hybrid or mtb.
Get the cleat covers. I don't know how anyone could even attempt to walk without them. Plus, even the tiniest bit of dirt will mess up the cleats and you won't be able to clip in.

[PinkBike]

there was a recent thread here about just this issue, but i'm too lazy to look it up. something about not good for small women? small feet? however, since i am not a small woman, and do not have small feet (!) i absolutely love my speedplays. except if you have to go thru dirt or sand you will never clip in again. if you do you will not get out of them.

ok, maybe not never, but the sand and dirt stick into the cleats and you have to wash them out. This happens every year at the river crossings at el tour de tucson and i'm still searching for that perfect device to cover the cleats while we walk thru the washes.

[arielmoon]

Love my speedplay 5X's!

[NbyNW]

I've got Speedplay Frogs. I can't compare them to other pedals, but I did feel that they were pretty easy to learn how to get in and out of, and I like that they allow a certain degree of float.

I have started to have a little bit of pain in my toes that sounds like the first blush of hot foot, but hopefully I can nip that in the bud and take care of it in the off season.

[Crankin]

Yes, my issue of clipping in is the one that smaller women have, hence my thinking about getting the light actions. But, removing my shim seems to have fixed the issue. I always wear down the left cleat faster, since I always unclip on that side. No matter what I do, I cannot train myself to do this on the right; I can unclip right side when mountain biking, but I think that's a self preservation issue and you don't have to lean over quite as much. Thus, my left cleat is always needing more lubing and TLC.
The regular Speedplay cleat covers should work when you are doing the river or wash crossings. Mine worked like a charm when walking through the very sandy parking lot at the beach, after learning the hard way that you need to actually put them on for them to work in this spot. I used up almost a whole water bottle cleaning the sand out, so I could continue.

[Bike Chick]

I learned the hard way about the cleats too. I was used to my spds and stopped for a poddy break at a corn field. I told everyone to go ahead and I would catch up but couldn't clip back in when I tried to get back on my bike. When i dug enough dirt out with a stick to clip in, then I couldn't get unclipped when I stopped. I was so far back by that point there was no catching up. Gotta have the covers if you are going to get off the bike!!

[Kathi]

I'm a small footed rider, size 5 shoe, who loves her Speedplays and yes, you need to have the covers. I also learned the hard way, walked through mud and then couldn't clip back in. The covers also help for walking on linoleum floors, ie. restaurants. You also need to lube them about every 2 rides, although I can't say I follow this schedule, and occasionally have the LBS lube the pedals. I change cleats about 2,000 miles or when the springs look flat.

If you do get dirt in the cleats run a thin wire or a very small screwdriver between the cleat and it knocks the crud right out.

Btw, I use Sidi shoes and the Speedplay website has a list of recommended shoes.

If you install them yourself do not tighten the screws on the cleats to tight, you won't be able to clip in.