Anyone tried Speedplay Zero (road) pedals?

[emily_in_nc]

Okay gals, anyone tried these? I've been using Speedplay X-2s for years on my road bikes. I love the X-2 pedals for the most part (especially the easy clip-in/clip-out) but finally decided that the unlimited float was robbing me of power, making climbing out of the saddle more difficult (running on icecubes feeling), and occasionally my heel would hit my crankarm, especially when I got tired. I don't think I need unlimited float for my knees because I use Eggbeaters Candies on my touring bike and mtb with no problems. I mostly just drifted into using X-2s because my husband used them and liked them. He's now switched over to Zeros b/c he felt that the X-2s were causing him more knee problems than they were solving.

Anywho, we just got the cleats and pedals installed last night for me to try on the trainer, and MAN, are these things hard to get in and out of! Hubby said they will get easier with time, but whew, I am a bit worried about trying these on the road. Looks like rain and cool this weekend, so I'll keep trying them on the trainer to hopefully get them loosened up.

Just wondering if anyone else has tried Zeros and what your experience has been. Were they tough to clip in and out of at first? Did they get easier? I am pretty light-weight (105-106 lbs) so wonder if that makes clipping in harder since I can't get a lot of weight behind it - versus my husband at 155 lbs. I just want to make sure these pedals will actually work for a petite woman! All input much appreciated....!

Emily

[Pedal Wench]

Emily!

Yes! I had a lot of problems at first! A few trips back to the store to see what I was doing wrong, and I even had an offer from Speedplay customer service to send me ones that were already broken in. But, after a few nights of practicing in my living room, it just 'happened' - it became pretty easy. A few drops of lube might help too. Apparently, they are known for being very stiff at first. Stick with them!

I love the pedals - I get just enough float to make my knees happy, and I can set the release angle/float limit to be just outside of where I need them for riding.

For what it's worth, I'm 5'4", and weigh between 115 and 120. I thought the same thing, but it seems much better now that they're broken in.
Leslie2

[cruziegirl]

I rode SPD's for about 10 years and then decided to do my knees a favor and switched to Speedplay Zeros. I'm crazy about them. Each cleat can be adjusted for Heel In/Heel Out so you can really fine-tune them. I'm a light-weight too - 102lbs - and yes, I did find clipping in a bit stiff at first but it has improved with each ride. Initially, I found that I had to kind of stomp down on the pedal to clip in but clipping out was no harder than with my SPD's. They recommend that you use White Lightening lube on the cleat every ride or two and that really helped. I had to buy new shoes as the cleat wouldn't fit my others - ohdarn I had to buy Sidi's - so you might take that into consideration. The thing I love about these pedals in addition to the adjustable float is the nice big platform for your foot. It gives a really nice, strong stable feeling as I pedal. Oh, one thing - definitely buy a pair of cafe covers so you can move around. The cleat are really big and you'll look like Donald Duck no matter what but with the cafe covers you won't slip around and more importantly, you'll keep gunk out of the cleats.

[Jo-n-NY]

Hi all,

As I wanted to help out here, I e-mailed my friend who has speedplay's but I didn't know which ones. I am glad Cruziegirl and Leslie were able to help out because it seems she has the X2 but didn't think there should have been a difference clipping in and out from one type to another. Your advice about breaking in was good to know.

Now you all got me thinking because I was looking into switching my spd's to Look KeO cromoly road pedal. Although my spd's were new my husband had them in the garage so I put them on to see if I would like the whole clipless thing. Well, I do but I want something lighter (these are on the heavy side I feel and couldn't tell you which ones they are) so upon my husband was looking at the Looks so I thought I would also. But now you got me thinking about the Speedplay's.

Can anyone offer any info on the difference. Plus, the thought just occured to me, but I use mountain shoes, for whatever cleat/pedal I choose?

~ JoAnn

[emily_in_nc]

Hi all,
Can anyone offer any info on the difference. Plus, the thought just occured to me, but I use mountain shoes, for whatever cleat/pedal I choose?
~ JoAnn

Hi JoAnn,

If you use mountain shoes, you won't be able to use Speedplay Zeros or X-series; they are road pedals. However, the Speedplay Frogs are made for mountain shoes and are very popular. They offer a large amount of float (26 degrees, I believe), which you may or may not need. My husband proclaims them very easy to get in and out of (he has them on his mtb).

That said, I'd also highly recommend that you look at Eggbeaters Candies (or just regular Eggbeaters). I have them on my mtb and my touring bike, both of which I ride with mountain shoes, and I adore them! They have less float than Frogs. The Speedplays I have are on my two road bikes (I have two pairs of road shoes).

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the input, folks! I really appreciate it. I will definitely stick to it and give these pedals a go. I really want them to work for me so I will keep at it. It's comforting to know that others have been there, done that, and got through the tough initial stages!

Cruziegirl, thanks for reminding me about cafe covers. I have them for my X-2 pedals, but they won't fit the Zeros. I'll pick some up very soon - you're right that they are a must for keeping crap out of the pedals!

Thanks again....Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Cruziegirl,

I already have Sidis , so it's not the shoes that are a problem. I have no problem with the X-2 pedals; they are much easier to get into and out of than the Zeros (so far). I am hopeful that soon the Zeros will be the same. I know these are great pedals, just gotta get them dialed in!

Thanks again,
Emily

[DeniseGoldberg]

...Well, I do but I want something lighter (these are on the heavy side I feel and couldn't tell you which ones they are) so upon my husband was looking at the Looks so I thought I would also. But now you got me thinking about the Speedplay's.

JoAnn -
I use Speedplay Frog pedals, and I think they are great. I can't tell you what year I started using them - but it's been a long time... I switched to using mountain bike shoes & pedals many years ago even though I only ride on the road because I wanted shoes with recessed cleats. I highly recommend these pedals!

--- Denise

[BikeMomma]

This is a timely thread for me, because I just today placed an order for the Speedplay Zeros (stainless). All the info given already will come in handy for me, as well. Thanks, Ladies!

[Jo-n-NY]

Thank you Emily for bringing to my attention that the Speedplay zeros would not go on my bike.

I did some research on reviews about the Frogs per Denise's recommendation vs the Looks and to be honest, people seem to be real happy with the Frog's. Not that many were not happy with Looks, but much emphasis was made on the easy entry and clipping out of the Frog pedal and also just great on the knees, not that I have a problem with that. Needless to say, I told my husband he should also look into Speedplay's as he does have knee problems.

Thanks for posting your opinions. One less thing for me to think about.

~JoAnn

[emily_in_nc]

Just an update...I did a 54 mile ride today (our forecasters were wrong; it was overcast but no rain!) with the Zeros, and I am pleased to give them a big thumbs up! They have definitely loosened up. I had no trouble clipping out at all - it's a firmer motion than with the X-2s, but not too hard - and only once did I have trouble clipping in with my first foot, never with my second - I just stand as I am powering from a stop and push that one in with some vigor, and it goes right in!

I could really tell a difference climbing with less float, especially out of the saddle. These pedals are keepers!

Thanks again for the great feedback that gave me the confidence that I could get these to work for me!

Emily

[Pedal Wench]

Emily,

You can play around with the float, also keeping in mind that you're also controlling the release point. I needed some float, but I also wanted to make sure that I come out VERY quickly, when needed. If you're still having trouble getting out, bring down the float limits a bit (the small philips screw on the outer edge of the cleat) and see if that helps. I have mine set so that I can't hit my heel on the crank on the inside, and I have just enough on the outside so my knees are happy yet I can release without really twisting too much.