Who has used speeplay light action?

[Beane]

I am thinking of switching from my Look Keo classics to speedplays (most likely light action, but I think zero or X series would work too) because I often have trouble getting into the Keos from a stop because of their one-sided-ness. I have searched TE threads but need more info... especially from people who have used both Look-style and speedplays.

1) Do you find the pedals too small (surface area-wise) ?
2) Is the large amount of float really hard to get used to and/or bad when out of the saddle?
3) Is it really impossible to use the cleats if they get at all dirty?
4) Do the cleats really wear out super easily?
5) Have you ever clipped out accidentally?

OK, that should do it... Thanks!

...and happy new year!

[PinkBike]

beane,
i have used speedplay zero and light action. DH and i now have zeroes on all our bikes. i didnt have any problem with the light actions.
1) some people prefer a larger platform, but i dont miss it, i stand a lot when climbing and when leaving stoplights, and i have no problems with the smaller platform
2) i do prefer less float but cant say that it really created a problem.
3) yes, they are a real pain when the cleats are packed with sand or dirt or mud. but the only time you ever have a cleat problem is when walking, never when riding. if they're jammed with mud or sand it's really hard to clip in, and once i had to pull my foot out of my shoe at a stop because the cleat would not budge out of the pedal! but that happened exactly once, and the only other time i had a problem was going thru deep, soft washes at el tour and i had to clean out the cleats before riding on. but you just knock the shoe against the ground to dislodge all the gunk. no biggie. also, as far as the cleats go, they are the hardest to walk in, but buy the covers and they work perfectly.
4) no.
5) yes, a couple times, but no more than any other type pedal - remember lance at the opening time trial he lost to dave z at le tour?
6) dual-sided entry!!!! cant go wrong!!!! ever!!!!

[7rider]

1) Do you find the pedals too small (surface area-wise) ?
2) Is the large amount of float really hard to get used to and/or bad when out of the saddle?
3) Is it really impossible to use the cleats if they get at all dirty?
4) Do the cleats really wear out super easily?
5) Have you ever clipped out accidentally?

...and happy new year!

I started on Looks (red, not Keo) and moved to Speedplay X2's in '05.
So, I think I can put my $0.02 in here for you!
1. No. No problems there. Are you worried about hot foot? I've never had a problem with that.
2. It took some time getting used to the float - especially when standing. It was like standing on a wet ice cube! It took some time to learn what I've termed "leg discipline." But, you get over that feeling of wobbliness pretty soon.
3. So I've heard. I can just hear the mechanic at my LBS saying "So....don't get them dirty!" The cleat covers are a must. I've never had any problems with my cleats, as I always wear the covers. I've seen people's covers get sucked off their cleats in muddy ground at group rides, however, so watch for that. Again, I've never had a problem, and this year, I've been less-then-religious about zapping them with dry lube.
4. How would you define "super easy". I have about 2K on mine right now...maybe 2500, and they're fine. I'm still on the same cleats I got in Oct '05. I had the mechanic at the LBS zap the pedals with some grease last week, but other than that, they've been super easy and very low maintenance.
5. Never.
Hope this helps.

[IFjane]

Beane,

I, too, have had Speedplay Zeros for a long time - same cleats, same pedals and I know I have more than 4000 miles on them. In fact, I probably have closer to 5000. I lube the cleats once in a while and make sure the pedals get lubed every now and then - though I do not do it as often as the LBS recommends.

Regarding the cleat covers - my LBS said I absolutely HAD to use them every time I got off the bike. I did that religiously until I forgot them on a trip to CO. I figured the cleats were close to needing replacement so I went without covers (Note: I did not - and never have - walked in mud with them.). I have not used the covers since (probably 2000 miles of riding) and the cleats are still going strong, though they don't look very pretty. I keep them clean and use dry lube every few rides - no problems at all. When I replace them I will get new zeros - love 'em love 'em love 'em!

[ccnyc]

1) Do you find the pedals too small (surface area-wise) ?
2) Is the large amount of float really hard to get used to and/or bad when out of the saddle?
3) Is it really impossible to use the cleats if they get at all dirty?
4) Do the cleats really wear out super easily?
5) Have you ever clipped out accidentally?

I LOVE my Speedplay Zero's.
1) Never had a problem with the pedal size even while standing.
2) Float was a little weird at first but got used to it very quickly.
3) I've had dirt and dust in them and haven't really had a problem. I keep a large paper clip on the velcro strap on my shoe to use just in case I need to dislodge any dirt or mud, or even gum... can't clip in with gum on the cleat!
4) I've got probably about 3500 miles on one pair of cleats and don't really feel they need to be replaced yet. I use the cleat covers, but not religiously. I also lube the cleats every couple of rides. The metal on the cleat bottom has gotten quite scratched up and the cleat sometimes slides on the pavement when I put my foot down at a stop so I have to be really careful.
5) Never clipped out accidentally while pedaling. They have unclipped when I've crashed or fallen.

[Beane]

thanks for your replies ladies, i will report back once I try them out!

[7rider]

I I keep a large paper clip on the velcro strap on my shoe to use just in case I need to dislodge any dirt or mud, or even gum... can't clip in with gum on the cleat!

Wow.
I really like this idea!
I'm going to have to steal it! And get a clip for my mountainbike shoes, too! Nothing like scrounging around on the trail for a stout stick to clean mud out of your cleats to get motivated to look for an alternative!!

[Beane]

Do those of you who have used the Zeros have trouble clipping in at first? I am not a newbie to clipless pedals but am having a really hard time getting into these new Zeros (luckily I'm on a trainer...) . Did the clipping in get easier? If this doesn't improve I'm afraid they won't be any easier to get into than the single sided Keos.

[ccnyc]

I had trouble clipping in (not out) at first but that was because the 4 screws on the cleat were tightened a little too much. We backed them off a little and that solved the problem. Haven't had a problem since.

[Andrea]

I have the X5 pedal and I'm going to upgrade to the X2 or 1 sometime before race season. I've replaced my cleats once since I got them 1.5 years ago. They weren't having a problem when I replaced them, but I wanted to be pro-active so that I would not have a problem during a race.

I used Time pedals for a little while because I wanted to try re-centering float, but I switched back to the speedplays after about two months.

Avoid mud/dirt/sand when you're walking around, but if they do get clogged, just stomp your feet (my riding buddies dubbed this my "speedplay dance").

[KSH]

1) Do you find the pedals too small (surface area-wise) ?

Not at all. I have a size 7 foot... and my boyfriend uses them and he wears a 10.5. He doesn't have any issues with the size of the pedal. Really, the size of the pedal won't matter if you have a good solid bottom on the shoe.


2) Is the large amount of float really hard to get used to and/or bad when out of the saddle?

It's easy to get use to. The first couple of times I was a little freaked out and now I don't notice it at all. I even stand up on them climbing hills no problem.


3) Is it really impossible to use the cleats if they get at all dirty?

Oh yea. DO NOT GET MUD stuck in the cleats. Which can prove to be a challenge at bike rallies since you typically have to walk into mud to get your water bottle refilled. They do have cleat covers you can put on to protect them when walking around, but they always fell off when I used them. Now days I just walk on my heels around dirt and mud.

4) Do the cleats really wear out super easily?

NO WAY. Well, I have my first set of pedals that I bought back in May 2005 (5,000 miles on them). They work great, still. In fact Speedplays are better with age. When they are new they are a bit hard to get in and out of. Once broken in it's like butter!

I did buy some new cleats... but only because I bought another set of pedals for a second bike and I wanted the new cleats put on my shoes. They were not worn out though. I could have still used them. Although, the screw head had been worn off!


5) Have you ever clipped out accidentally?

Nope. Not at all. The scary part isn't getting out typically... but NOT being able to get out...

[smilingcat]

I use speedplay exclusively. X-2s. Haven't tried the light action.

one of my X2s have logged well over 20,000 miles. and its still going strong. And I rode it HARD. Its about 10 years old now. (Last 7 years it collected dust) But I'm baacck to riding.

I had to replace the cleats three times. Each time, the metal rod/spring in the cleats wore out. and my foot kept popping out on the upstroke of the pedal. I never used cleat covers.

I honetly don't notice the float. do you? And it is far easier on my knees and to stretch out while riding.

Probably the lowest maintenance pedals around.

Never did like look or time pedals. blah.

slightly used x5's might not be a bad way to go. you can find them on e-bay for about $50-$80. in fact two of my x2's were slightly used when I bought off e-bay.

smilingcat