new clipless pedals - frustrated (speedplay zero)

[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]

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.

Tried lube as well.. The compounding problem is that I have a bad hip due to psoriatic arthritis. I have limited range of motion and diminished strength in one leg, and it's very easy for me to set off painful inflammation . After my attempts last night, I was hurting so badly I had to take a pain pill--which I HATE.

On top of clipping in. Once I finally got clipped in, my shoe got stuck! I just couldn't get out. I had to go ring the doorbell to have my hubby undo my shoe. It was hard for HIM to get the shoe loose. Getting stuck is what did me in with my hip, so there's big fear there now.

I'm going to go by LBS today and see if there's anything else we can do with the speedplays or if they can swap them out for looks. I do like how secure I felt once I clipped in, but I'm afraid of getting stuck again on the road with no one to help me get out.

[beancounterbeth]

My first pair of clipless were Speedplay Zeros. They were given to me. I fell sooooo many times because I would come to a stop and still be yanking my feet trying desperatly to get my foot unclipped. My DH had to come over and yank my foot apart from the pedal. I switched to Looks and I love them. Easy in, easy out. The only bad thing is that I have to look down when I go to clip my foot in but after that they are great.

[emily_in_nc]

Tried lube as well.. The compounding problem is that I have a bad hip due to psoriatic arthritis. I have limited range of motion and diminished strength in one leg, and it's very easy for me to set off painful inflammation . After my attempts last night, I was hurting so badly I had to take a pain pill--which I HATE.

I sure do understand your frustration and fear too. It definitely shouldn't hurt to clip in or out! If you aren't married to road pedals yet, you might want to take a look at Speedplay Frogs. The extra float may feel good to your hip, and they're uncommonly easy to get clipped into and out of, yet, unless your foot wanders all over the place, you shouldn't clip out accidentally. I found Frogs to be the easiest pedals I've ever had to get used to, and I know there are a lot of happy Frog users here, both roadies and mtb'ers. They are mountain pedals but there are plenty of shoes made for recessed cleats that look roadie like (yet are more walkable than road shoes with exterior cleats).

Good luck!

[Kathi]

I"m not sure how the zero's release but with the X's it is a simple twist, or turning of the heel, and you pop right out. Yanking on them to release doesn't sound right to me.

I have a small foot too and the X's are so easy to release that I was able to use them on my trainer with a torn ACL and MCL. It didn't take long to begin using them again on the trainer after ACL surgery.

I do agree with others that the screws can be too tight and there are different shims for the brand of shoe your are wearing. It's easy to get dirt in the cleat so I immediately but my covers on my cleats before I walk. It helps to protect the cleat and keep dirt out. Release will be more difficult with dirt in them.

I have the Frogs on my mtn bike and find if I riding at a good clip, on the road, I have inadvertently released my foot.

Hope you find out what's wrong.

[spazzdog]

lo123... did you put your cleats on or have the shop do it?

I ask because once (early on when I first got my speedplay X's) I put my cleats on the shoes.

I got stuck, much as you describe... it took me removing my foot from the shoe, getting off the bike and then wrenching the shoe off of the pedal.

Turns out I'd installed the cleats on my shoes backwards (they don't call me spazz fer nuthin )

Good luck!

spazz

[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...

[spazzdog]

I love my SIDI Genius shoes... not sure what year/model I have.

I have little feet AND a full size difference btn them. The shoe has great adjustment flexibility. AND they work with speedplay

spazz

[lo123]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone and give a final update.

I went and bought a pair of Sidi road shoes (on sale!). Not the style I'm really wanting, but they'll do for now. I gave the speedplays another try yesterday, and no matter what I do, it hurts my hips to clip in/out.

So, I borrowed some Keo pedals/cleats from a friend, and voila, it's easy and painless! So I've ordered a pair of Keo pedals of my own.

Lesson learned: it shouldn't be ridiculously painful and/or difficult to get in/out of clipless pedals.

[emily_in_nc]

Good job! Enjoy your new pedals and newfound knowledge!

[tctrek]

This thread is living proof of why there are so many different brands and styles of clipless pedals!! Everyone has something they love and really works for them, but not necessarily for the next person.

I'm so glad you found a way to ride clipless. You will love it once you get used to it. Hope your body heals soon!

[skyler]

ok, now you girls have me a little concerned about purchasing the speedplay pedals. I was going to get rid of my look keo's because I have a hard time clipping back into them after coming stopping at a light. I have to look down and can only clip in on one side. So, I usually ride with my right foot for some time until I can manage to clip in again. My boyfriend uses speedplay and he loves them. He races of course and I just began to get into cycling about 3 weeks ago. I wear sidi's, size 38 and weigh about 110-112. Any recomendations?

[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.