Southern California - Speedplay pedals...any opinions?

For those who are a bit obsessive and compuslive, the Speedplays Zero stainless, will give you the chance to manifest this. Try keeping them clean, the cleats, I mean.

The major complaint is that compared to the X-2, the Zero's are way too difficult to break in and the break in is mostly when the 4 screws loosen up. This is when the compusive people can really shine. Because the screws are in need of routine adjustment to keep the screws from getting too loose, the rider should remove the cleat, and clean them. First the metal piece and then the yellow plastic piece and then the bottom of the shoe. Also the 4 screws should be cleaned out because road grime and dry lubricant tends to cake up as well.

When cleaned and dried, the reassembly is critical with the 4 screws. Too tight and you will have difficulty getting in and out of the pedals. Too loose and the screws will eventually fall out, hopefully not during a ride.

I suggest that the Speedplay people find another way to fasten the cleat to the shoe and another independnt way to adjust the tension.


on my last demo of these pedals I had 2 screws fall out of my left cleat (the one I unclip from) at the 4,000 foot mark of Palomar Mountain South Grade. I was feeling great now I had to stop and take one screw from my right cleat and put it on the left cleat so now they both only had three cleats. I still had 65 miles to get home. But when I got home I took those riduclous cleats and pedals off my shoes and bike, respectively and bagged them to give back to the Speedplay rep.

never again will I use Speedplays

I never contemplated going to speedplays because I've been happy with Looks. I started out with Sampson, and boy was that a nightmare. Fell off my bike almost once every time I went out with them (and one time it was on the left turn lane in Redondo Beach, on Beryl, around 12 pm ... really embarrassing). Then, I went with look, and experience was much better. So easy to get in and out of. Recently, my look pedal failed, then had to get a new one. They stopped carrying the old look pedal, and went on to Look Keo. That is much better. Very easy to get and out of.

on my last demo of these pedals I had 2 screws fall out of my left cleat (the one I unclip from) at the 4,000 foot mark of Palomar Mountain South Grade. I was feeling great now I had to stop and take one screw from my right cleat and put it on the left cleat so now they both only had three cleats. I still had 65 miles to get home. But when I got home I took those riduclous cleats and pedals off my shoes and bike, respectively and bagged them to give back to the Speedplay rep.

never again will I use Speedplays

George, have you demo'd Bebops yet? If so, what's your take?

George, have you demo'd Bebops yet? If so, what's your take?


no. we don't sell them in the shop so I don't have a rep hittin' me up to demo/sell them

For those who are a bit obsessive and compuslive, the Speedplays Zero stainless, will give you the chance to manifest this. Try keeping them clean, the cleats, I mean.

The major complaint is that compared to the X-2, the Zero's are way too difficult to break in and the break in is mostly when the 4 screws loosen up. This is when the compusive people can really shine. Because the screws are in need of routine adjustment to keep the screws from getting too loose, the rider should remove the cleat, and clean them. First the metal piece and then the yellow plastic piece and then the bottom of the shoe. Also the 4 screws should be cleaned out because road grime and dry lubricant tends to cake up as well.

When cleaned and dried, the reassembly is critical with the 4 screws. Too tight and you will have difficulty getting in and out of the pedals. Too loose and the screws will eventually fall out, hopefully not during a ride.

I suggest that the Speedplay people find another way to fasten the cleat to the shoe and another independnt way to adjust the tension.

Sounds like an installation problem. You really shouldn't have to take them apart all the time to clean them.

For example, the four screws need fresh loctite or the screws may back out. Every time you take them apart, you need to use fresh loctite on clean screws, or they won't stay tight. If the cleats are not installed flat relative to the pedals, the cleats won't work correctly.

Also, from mine and other's experience, there is very little "break in" needed. Plus, the amount of tension clipping in shouldn't be adjusted by tightening or loosening the cleats. At worst, they can be slightly more difficult to clip into, but that's corrected by using a little bit of dry lube on the cleat mechanism.

The manual explains just how tight the screws need to be, and how to install them on the shoes correctly. I think a qualified LBS (or Speedplay themselves) should be able to help you get them on your shoes right so you don't have these problems.

I such a low-maintenance person that all the BS with the Speedplay cleats just irks me. Too many screws, loctite, screws backing out, correct screw tension, lubing the spring, cleaning the spring, breaking-in the spring...It's just too much.

I'm 100% sure that I could walk through a pile of horse crap, then sand and glass, and still clip into my SPD-SL's without a problem.

I sometimes miss the float, but not that much. If I need to stretch my legs, I'll just unclip that foot, pedal with my other and shake the leg out.

There really isnt that much maintanence...one a week...I brush the cleats off, wipe with a paper towel, squirt of compressed air then a bit of white lightning....
Once a year or so you squirt some grease into the pedal....and take the cleat off for a full cleaning or replacment..I find them easy to manage...

Well...Any maintenance compared to No maintenance...I'm a lazy bugger, you see.

Well...Any maintenance compared to No maintenance...I'm a lazy bugger, you see.

It would help keep you away from the beer and pretzels...but thats another thread:p

No...it would actually drive me to drink. And anytime's a good time for pretzels.

No...it would actually drive me to drink. And anytime's a good time for pretzels.

I hear ya...

No...it would actually drive me to drink. And anytime's a good time for pretzels.

Ah, pretzels! One of the four basic food groups...

Well...Any maintenance compared to No maintenance...I'm a lazy bugger, you see.
I'm with Mo. The most shoe maintenance I want to do is banging the soles together to knock off any loose dirt after I take off the shoes, and usually, I don't even do that.

I'm 100% sure that I could walk through a pile of horse crap, then sand and glass, and still clip into my SPD-SL's without a problem.

Right on Mo' I use Time atac mtn pedals w/mtn shoes and I could walk through anything, plus I can walk in a coffee shop without sliding on the tile. One day I was out riding with a group and the bike path we were on was under construction. It turned to sand, I just picked up my bike like a cyclocross rider and ran accross but everyone with speedplays had to stop, find their covers, put them on carefully walk around the hazard, take off the covers, put them away. I had to wait forever after that to hear all the complaining about the hazard and how it affects their pedals. Sheesh!

However, with all that's been said, I really like the 2-sided/Free-floatedness of the Speedplays...I just wish the cleat/pedal interface was deconstructed, reengineered and redesigned with a focus on eliminating the universal issues people seem to face.

However, with all that's been said, I really like the 2-sided/Free-floatedness of the Speedplays...I just wish the cleat/pedal interface was deconstructed, reengineered and redesigned with a focus on eliminating the universal issues people seem to face.
My Time's are double sided and I never look down they have a little float. I like 'em but I want to switch to road shoes/pedals and drop some rotational weight. I was thinking about the Time RSX pedals. George what do you think?

Right on Mo' I use Time atac mtn pedals w/mtn shoes and I could walk through anything, plus I can walk in a coffee shop without sliding on the tile. One day I was out riding with a group and the bike path we were on was under construction. It turned to sand, I just picked up my bike like a cyclocross rider and ran accross but everyone with speedplays had to stop, find their covers, put them on carefully walk around the hazard, take off the covers, put them away. I had to wait forever after that to hear all the complaining about the hazard and how it affects their pedals. Sheesh!

Buncha babies! :)

Maybe I'm just not getting it, but I walk in the sand with them, kick them a few times to knock most of it out and clip back in. A little gritty, but they work fine. I make a point of cleaning any remaining sand out when I get home, but it's just never been an issue. I've got a buddy who hang-glides at Dockweiler all the time, and I'll ride out and walk around there in my cleats just hanging out with them. Hmmm...

Oh well, back to beer and pretzels!

:beer:

I've got to agree I'm rough with my Speedplay road cleats and don't really pamper them all that much. I clean and lubricate them only when they get difficult to engage.

I've got to agree I'm rough with my Speedplay road cleats and don't really pamper them all that much. I clean and lubricate them only when they get difficult to engage.

I agree with you George, I even have the little Speedplay Grease gun, I use once about every 4000 miles. Aside from that I wear the cleat covers if it is real sandy, other wise is just clip and go. In over 13000 miles I have never had an issue.

I'm with Mo. The most shoe maintenance I want to do is banging the soles together to knock off any loose dirt after I take off the shoes, and usually, I don't even do that.


+1 :)

If I can't walk through stuff, cross a creak, kick the dirt off on a curb/rock and go,
Then the pedals a POS.
As you guess, I use spd's for both Road and Mt just for this reason.
Low-no maintenance or the trash can....:D

Since originally starting this thread, I've been doing a bit of thinking on how I ride my bike. I commute to work six days a week which consists of anywhere from 12-18 miles roundtrip. That includes some errand running during the day. If I ride in the evenings I usually do another 12-15 miles. Weekends I tend to do my longest rides with the century thrown in here and there. I'm beginning to wonder if I might be better off staying with the spd style of cleat and going to something like a Sidi Dominator mtn shoe. All the getting on and getting off and walking seems to make me think that road pedals and shoes might drive me nuts.

:(

the fart button doesn't do anything!!

give a minute....

:(

the fart button doesn't do anything!!



I farted when I pressed it....

Yours must be broken,

*click* *click* *CLICK* *CLICK*

nothing...

*edit* OH! oh, that was me:o

Does Speedplay have a "Geek Squad"??

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.support

;)

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.support

;)

Here's what their web site FAQ says:

Is the spring tension of Zero cleats adjustable?
No.

My new Zero cleat springs are stiff and entering the pedals is difficult for me. What should I do?
As with all clipless pedal systems, there is a learning curve to mastering entry technique. Lubricate the cleat springs with a dry-type(PTFE)lubricant such as Super-Lube Dry Film, RD-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry Lube, Pro Gold or Finish Line, which will facilitate entry. Be sure to first step down flat on the ball of your foot. Then drop your heel downward slightly. Adding a slight twist while pushing downward also aids with entry. Make sure that the 4 x 11mm outer cleat fastening screws have not been over-tightened. Tighten cleat fastening screws until resistance is felt and then tighten no more than ¼ turn. (Maximum fastening torque = 20 inch pounds) Over- tightening may prevent the springs from operating properly and can affect engagement.

So according to their FAQ, the spring tension is not adjustable but their FAQ talks about those 4 screws. That's what I think is the "adjustment". That's my complaint.

So according to their FAQ, the spring tension is not adjustable but their FAQ talks about those 4 screws. That's what I think is the "adjustment". That's my complaint.

I understand exactly what you're talking about. But it really is an installation issue.

If you overtighten the four screws holding the cleat to the adapter plate, it's possible to bend the cleat out of shape enough to affect the function of the whole thing. I've seen it on my set when I moved my cleats after the initially install.

It also depends on the shape of the sole of the shoe, and whether the wedges used to install the cleats don't adequately compensate for the curve and allow the cleat to lay flat. It's easy to over-tighten the screws, and taking then apart to clean them almost gaurantees they won't stay in because the Loctite is no longer functional. It may also need to overtightening the screws "just to be sure". I've done that only a few hundred times in my wrenching life. :)

I found out that what's important is to trust the Loctite. It really does work, but only if you don't re-use it by backing the screws in and out, or re-installing them without cleaning the old Loctite off the screws and re-applying it.

Consider having a good LBS take a look at them.