Bought some Speed Play peddals and new shoes today!

[KSH]

First off... if you are looking for peddals... get these first! I wish I had been given some education on the difference between these (Froggies too?) and the other type of peddal.

I think if I had, I wouldn't have the knee issues I have now.

I also would have saved myself around $180 on shoes on peddals I only used for 6 months (I will be selling both on eBay!).

If you don't know already... Speed Play peddals are circular and the cleat on the bottom of your shoe allows this circle to fit on it. It allows for you to move your feet right and left... thus not being locked into position on the peddal.

I also found it really EASY to CLIP OUT! Which is NICE for a newbie!

They do feel weird.... and I can't hardly walk on the shoe with the cleat on the bottom sticking out... but I suspect in due time I will fall in love with them.

Now, I just have to get over pushing off the ground with my foot so much! Can't really do that with these cleats!

[Technotart]

Yay!!!!! I hope these work for you!!! If you want to go try out a Tuesday evening ride, let me know!

Michelle

[Grog]

Good for you! Enjoy

I'm getting a bit annoyed at the rather fixed position of my feet too, but I don't plan to invest in new pedals for the next couple of hundred kilometers. Still, tell us more as you get used to them...

[Pedal Wench]

Did you get the X's or the Zero's? I love my Zero's. You can adjust the amount of float, so I've got enough to make my knees happy, but not so much that I get the ice-cube feeling. I also like that I can be unclipped, but still able to pedal. I find that when I'm in traffic or unpredictable crowds, I can unclip but keep my foot in position - the recessed circle of the cleat holds the pedal well enough for easy riding - might not work on a hill, but I've ridden (is that a word?) for miles that way.

[KSH]

Yay!!!!! I hope these work for you!!! If you want to go try out a Tuesday evening ride, let me know!

Michelle

If the weather holds... we can ride Tuesday night!

[spazzdog]

KSH, a question... why did you have to get new shoes? The Speedplay cleats come with all sorts of shims so they can be installed on almost any shoe?

Secondarily, if you haven't gotten them already, pick up a set of the Speedplay Coffee Covers (tupperware lids for your cleats). It helps the whole walking without slipping thing when you get off the bike for breaks and whatnot.

I keep them in my jersey pocket or seat bag so they're handy.

I, too, love my Speedplays (X2's)

spazz

[KSH]

KSH, a question... why did you have to get new shoes? The Speedplay cleats come with all sorts of shims so they can be installed on almost any shoe?

Secondarily, if you haven't gotten them already, pick up a set of the Speedplay Coffee Covers (tupperware lids for your cleats). It helps the whole walking without slipping thing when you get off the bike for breaks and whatnot.

I keep them in my jersey pocket or seat bag so they're handy.

I, too, love my Speedplays (X2's)

spazz

That's a good question about the shoes. I will say that the ones I had... have these raised sections on either side of where the cleat goes. Hard to explain.

Honestly, maybe I was a doof... and when he said I needed new shoes, I went along with it. DUH! Why didn't I ask WHY?

I will say this though... I talked about buying a cadence monitor, and a new seat... and he said I didn't need either... based on the discussions I had. He also sold me a mid-priced shoe, vs. selling me on the more expensive shoe, even when I was open to it.

I have to go up the bike shop... I will see about those covers you mentioned above! Thanks!

[KSH]

Did you get the X's or the Zero's? I love my Zero's. You can adjust the amount of float, so I've got enough to make my knees happy, but not so much that I get the ice-cube feeling. I also like that I can be unclipped, but still able to pedal. I find that when I'm in traffic or unpredictable crowds, I can unclip but keep my foot in position - the recessed circle of the cleat holds the pedal well enough for easy riding - might not work on a hill, but I've ridden (is that a word?) for miles that way.

The X5's.

Honestly... I wanted just the basic peddal... since I just bought peddals and shoes back in October when I bought the bike... It really HURT ME to spend another $250 replacing items that were not worn out.

What I read above about the zero's sounds really cool though! Oh well, I gotta live with what I got.

I just hope I can get some decent money from the old stuff on eBay!

PS- "Ridden" is a word.

[bikerchick68]

you'll love these pedals even more as you ride 'em... I ride zero's because I need no float to stay locked into a forward (straight) position...

BTW- pick up the May issue of bicycling magazine too... there is a decent article in there about adjustments to make in regards to different types of knee pain... if your knees are hurting you may need to make some adjustment to your fit... I had my seat moved up and forward and it's helped my knee problem a TON! Since doing that I have successfully ridden 3 centuries... one in feb, one in march, one in april... good luck and enjoy the speedplays!

[AKRoadie]

just bought my first set of clipless pedals. I would have been lost if not for this forum. I read and re-read the information on various threads and jumped in and ordered the Speedplay Zero's. I am thrilled with them. I left them at the factory settings and it is just the right amount of float for me. I adjust my position if I feel I'm stiffening up. They have been great. I use these with my Sidi road shoes and I'm one happy camper (rider

[KSH]

AK Roadie... you will really enjoy those pedals!

I road today for 25 miles on mine... I would get freaked out occasionally, when my feet would move (but not unclip). It was so odd, because I have ridden the bike for 350 miles, prior, with my feet NOT moving!

Otherwise, my knee pain returned at 20 miles. Accute knee pain. Unfortunately. Maybe it is still inflamed? I have an ice pack on as we speak.

I just HOPE my knee pain goes away when I ride... otherwise, there will be a very slightly used TREK for sale.

[spazzdog]

KSH... well you've got me flummoxed with that knee pain of yours.

Ladies, I think we need video. I'd be really interested to see your position as you pedal, both spinning and mashing.

Another hmmm?? I wonder if your knee thing is due to an over tight ITB (illio tibial band)? Please excuse spelling... I haven't eaten yet

But you said you don't suffer the effect with your running, right? OK, make that vid of both your running and your cycling...

Who lives near KSH and has a camera?? Emergency movement analysis!!!

spazz (whose brain is really working this one)

[Technotart]

LOL!!!! Well I live nearby and have a camera - honestly - I didnt see that she does anything different on the bike than walking - but running I dont know about.

IT Band is a thought - especially since its on one side only. There are some great exercises and myofacial release that can done in the comfort of your own home for the IT - I think the the one that helped me the most though was the big foam roller - You put it on the floor and roll rour IT back and forth over it (And your low back, your glutes and your legs...you get the idea... here's a few pics in case you can't visualize it

http://www.optp.com/shop.cfm?groupid...Foam%20Rollers

I have seen these rollers for as little as 11.00!

And you do have to replace them every so often because they tend to get flat on one side or another. The kind with core in the middle don't have to be replaced as often.

Michelle

[emily_in_nc]

KSH, have you been to a doctor about your knee? When I had outer left knee pain a few years ago, I went to a sports med. doctor and found out that I had ITB syndrome. He referred me to a physical therapist, and it took just one visit to learn stretches to prevent a recurrence of this. I was also told the following (good advice for anyone with acute ITB issues):

1) lower my saddle slightly to decrease stretch of the ITB
2) use lower/easier gears and spin, spin, spin
3) avoid hilly rides and limit mileage on all rides.

I had to do all of the above in addition to daily ITB stretches for a couple of months (plus daily stretches) before I was 100% healed. After healed, I just did the stretches - but I did end up leaving my saddle a bit lower than recommended. I have not had a recurrence.

For anyone interested in ITB syndrome, here's a good website with info:

http://www.csuchico.edu/phed/atc/Pro...and/ITBFS.html

Or go directly to the stretching page:

http://www.csuchico.edu/phed/atc/Pro...tretching.html

By the way, I was using Speedplay X-2 pedals when I got the ITB syndrome. They are not the cure-all for that. But I was able to use them just fine after I healed. The ITB problems cropped up after I did three centuries in four weeks; just too much of a mileage increase for this old gal, I guess!

Emily

[Technotart]

AWESOME info!

What the rollers do is stretch the IT and release any sticking points. You can't just do the rollers alone though, it takes the exercises and stretches like you posted to really get them loosened up.

One activity that is REALLY great for IT if you have access to it is a yoga class.