"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - What pedals do you use when racing?

I have the speedplay frogs and I love how they work for my commuter. Are the speedplays recomended when riding in competative group rides? I like the float and freedom I get from not having a spring push my foot in an uncomftorable position. I just need some info that gives me a basic idea on why certain pedals are good to use for racing. Thanks

Kevin

there was a poll about this awhile ago. if i remember correctly the SPD-SL's were first, with Keo's in second and speedplays in third. or something like that.

Look Keo Carbons. Nice large platform for easy clip-in and out, and good for power transfer. Also you can tension these suckers right up, whis is what I like. On my commuter and training bike I use eggbeaters, for the recessed cleat, set into mountain bike shoes.

Look Keo Carbons! Best pedal ever..

Look Delta

Ultegra SPD-SL, but I might be picking up a pair of Keos if I can swing a deal on them.

I was on Look Deltas for a while, but I'm a Shimano SPD-SL man now. The new Dura-Ace pedal with the wider platform and metal pad is the best system I have ever used. I love the feel of power transfer and the low Q-factor. My only concern is whether I can pedal through a corner with out clipping the deck, but it hasn't been a problem yet.

EDIT: I should note that I've tried Time and Speedplay. Time was Ok, but Speedplay was just too weird for me.

Look Keo Carbon w/ CrMo axle.
I love them so much that I wish I could marry them...

Stupid government marraige laws...

there was a poll about this awhile ago. if i remember correctly the SPD-SL's were first, with Keo's in second and speedplays in third. or something like that.
Yep, here it is.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=373112&highlight=pedals
SPD-SL was indeed the top choice and Keo was second. Everything else was distant.

Look Keo Carbons! Best pedal ever..

and you know this because you've tried multiple pedal systems over your long history of cycling?

and you know this because you've tried multiple pedal systems over your long history of cycling?

Somehow I wouldn't be surprised. The multiple pedal systems part, not the long history.

Look Keo Sprints, because I haven't shelled out the $$ for carbons yet.

Speedplay Zeros

- double sided so you shouldnt be be dufus who cant clip in at the start of a race
- great cornering clearance so you shouldnt be the dufus who clips a pedal in a turn and goes pavement surfing
- nearly impossible to accidentally unclip, so you shouldnt be the dufus who unclips during a sprint or acceleration and goes pavement surfing
- adjustable float, so you shouldnt be the dufus whining no teh innernets about knee pain

Look A5.1's w/ fixed cleats.....keepin' it real.

I love the feel of speedplays. Why do you not like the speedplays? I see they are very easy to clip in and out and you get a good power transfer from them too. They are a good knee saver as well, so what is wrong with them?

This comes up periodically - if the search function is working you'll find plenty of similar threads.

Your pedals are just fine for group rides.

I've got various versions of the Time RXS series pedals on my various bikes.

Look Keo Sprints

Bebop Deluxe



For what it's worth, I've tried out a friend's Time RXS and might be using those, occasionally, as well.

I like the groundclearance Speedplays give me. I use 180mm cranks so every little bit helps.

Shimano PD-7401 (from 1985 or so). They still spin like butta, but are a tad heavy by today's standards

Use to have some Look pedals, but switched to some Speedplay Zeros.

Speedplay Zeros

- double sided so you shouldnt be be dufus who cant clip in at the start of a race
- great cornering clearance so you shouldnt be the dufus who clips a pedal in a turn and goes pavement surfing
- nearly impossible to accidentally unclip, so you shouldnt be the dufus who unclips during a sprint or acceleration and goes pavement surfing
- adjustable float, so you shouldnt be the dufus whining no teh innernets about knee pain
I actually have an easier time clipping into Looks than Speedplays because the Looks always return to a nose up position while the Speedplays are at a random location. I toe flip always gets my feet into the Looks while I sometimes have to step twice to get the Speedplays to engage.

I agree on the cornering clearance and float, though.

Look Keo Sprints, because I haven't shelled out the $$ for carbons yet.

Look Keo Classics, because I haven't shelled out the $$ for sprints yet.

I love the feel of speedplays. Why do you not like the speedplays? I see they are very easy to clip in and out and you get a good power transfer from them too. They are a good knee saver as well, so what is wrong with them?

I don't see why everyone has a hard-on for float. Why do you need to move your feet around so much? If your cleat is on your shoe straight, then you shouldn't ever have knee problems, no?

i ride spd-sl's, but i got in on the PBK $60 ultegra deal. I had look deltas before and I really like the engagement (more so than the spd-sl's), it was a really solid "bang" when you were in. I switched because the stack height on them seemed huge, and they looked goofy on my new carbon bike. OCP? *shrug*

I don't see why everyone has a hard-on for float. Why do you need to move your feet around so much? If your cleat is on your shoe straight, then you shouldn't ever have knee problems, no?
I suppose it just allows for a margin of error for the cleat position. It's also easier on the knees when you get tired and your form starts to slip. I always wondered if fixed cleats would correct a slipping form though.

I don't see why everyone has a hard-on for float. Why do you need to move your feet around so much? If your cleat is on your shoe straight, then you shouldn't ever have knee problems, no?

Ask a knee surgeon. If some bio mechanical issue is going on with your knee due to your foot position on the pedal, by the time you discover it, it may be too late. Float is essential. Duh.

Ask a knee surgeon. If some bio mechanical issue is going on with your knee due to your foot position on the pedal, by the time you discover it, it may be too late. Float is essential. Duh.
With that in mind, should I switch back to Speedplay if I notice that my feet rarely (if ever) leave the centered position on my Looks? I'm pretty sure I used free float more often when I was on Speedplay.

Essentially, yes - it may be a good idea.

I use the Bebop with 20° of float, but my feet stay centered for the most part. I don't have issues with "skating around." The float is there in case my legs/feet decide to twist a certain way while going through a motion (sometimes in climbing, on a particularly strenuous portion) - this way, my pedals aren't preventing my body from doing what it feels is best to maintain motion and favor the knee.

If you do sports other than cycling, particularly sports where you are doing a lot of turning/sprinting/twisting (soccer, football, basketball, hockey) - float is a very good thing to have.

I don't see why everyone has a hard-on for float. Why do you need to move your feet around so much? If your cleat is on your shoe straight, then you shouldn't ever have knee problems, no?

I disagree with this. As the body wears down the muscles become fatigued. When muscles are fatigued our form becomes worse because our body relies on different muscles to accomplish the task at hand. We see this in many other sports such as baseball with pitching (dropping the elbow) and in weightlifting (using our back). With that being said in cycling it seems that when the knee wants to go somewhere it better go there or force against it will cause pain in the long run.

Ultegra SPD-SL

I love the feel of speedplays. Why do you not like the speedplays? I see they are very easy to clip in and out and you get a good power transfer from them too. They are a good knee saver as well, so what is wrong with them?

I have used speedplays for many years... Even had a set of the first run of X series back in the early 90s. Biggest issue with speedplay is how "tall" the cleat system is (high Q factor) and the pedal/cleat dosent hold your foot firm.... meaning there is too much play in the pedal.

Im switching to Dura Ace or Keo Carbons in the next few weeks.

I have used speedplays for many years... Even had a set of the first run of X series back in the early 90s. Biggest issue with speedplay is how "tall" the cleat system is (high Q factor) and the pedal/cleat dosent hold your foot firm.... meaning there is too much play in the pedal.

Im switching to Dura Ace or Keo Carbons in the next few weeks.

That isn't Q-factor, that is called stack height.
Q-factor refers to the degree/distance away from the crank. Q-factor refers to the distance between the pedals.

Bebop and Speedplay have very low stack heights because the pedals are enveloped by the shoe's cleat, rather than stacked under the shoe's cleat.

In terms of holding your foot firm - are you talking about vertical play between the cleat and the pedal? Might mean you need a new pedal or a new cleat. The angular play is called float.

Youre right with Q factor.. halfway asleep here.


And all Speedplay pedals that ive owned have the issue with vertical play. Does it make a difference now that is the question.

I have used speedplays for many years... Even had a set of the first run of X series back in the early 90s. Biggest issue with speedplay is how "tall" the cleat system is (high Q factor) and the pedal/cleat dosent hold your foot firm.... meaning there is too much play in the pedal.

Im switching to Dura Ace or Keo Carbons in the next few weeks.

I dont understand your post. Are you talking about stack height? which in the case of speedplays is lower than other pedals, and how does this relate to Q factor (distance < width > between pedals)? Properly adjusted there is no "play" in the pedal other than the float you adjust to (Zero series).

And all Speedplay pedals that ive owned have the issue with vertical play. Does it make a difference now that is the question.

That's really strange, I've never experienced that.

Speedplay Zeroes, because they take lots of weight out of the pedals and then put it all back in to the cleats and then some so you can still claim your bike is light even though your total system isn't. :roflmao:

Actually, I like to think the increased float is easier on the knees.

Float is for improper bike fit, people with screwed up knees, or a really messed up skeletal structure to begin with. Or all three.

If you have a fairly "normal" body, no already outstanding knee issues, and your bike fit (yes, including cleats) is correct, you don't need it.

How many people on here honestly think they have a "normal" body?

I'm morbidly obese @ a whopping 155 pounds. I do not have a normal body.

How many people on here honestly think they have a "normal" body?

Define normal. If by normal, you mean conforming to the "norm" of society, I think most of us are probably not normal because we are not all overweight. Or maybe some are and are trying to lose weight, but since this is the racing forum I will assume most people are in some kind of race shape. Now if by normal, you mean not deviating greatly from the "ideal", then I will bet most of us are normal. The skinny freaks are probably the exception rather than the rule, even in here. I was a skinny freak last year, but I'd say I'm more normal now...

I have the speedplay frogs and I love how they work for my commuter. Are the speedplays recomended when riding in competative group rides? I like the float and freedom I get from not having a spring push my foot in an uncomftorable position. I just need some info that gives me a basic idea on why certain pedals are good to use for racing. Thanks

A lot of people use Speedplay road pedals such as the Zero or X-series for racing. A lot of people use other brands of pedals. I doubt many use the MTB-style Frogs. All of the responses regarding Speedplay in this thread that I saw were referring to the road pedals.

I was thinking more in terms of bone proportions since we're talking about pedals and stuff. How many people have perfectly aligned hips and knees and don't overpronate? Not sure how much (if at all) that affect pedalling, but I imagine it could.

I was thinking more in terms of bone proportions since we're talking about pedals and stuff. How many people have perfectly aligned hips and knees and don't overpronate? Not sure how much (if at all) that affect pedalling, but I imagine it could.

That makes more sense :p

I agree with this:

If you have a fairly "normal" body, no already outstanding knee issues, and your bike fit (yes, including cleats) is correct, you don't need it.

and this:

if by normal, you mean not deviating greatly from the "ideal", then I will bet most of us are normal.

I much prefer fixed cleats over float (SPD-SL with red-bumpered cleats). As a runner, it befuddles me when cyclists who don't like running will attempt to convince me/others that running is so bad for your joints (knees in particular)... and then the aforementioned cyclists contradict themselves because they believe that if they didn't have their specific float system that their knees would be permanently f-ed up.

Is it not interesting that while running/walking shoes made for people with "bad" knees attempt to limit or prevent all knee motion, while cycling float systems attempt to do the opposite?

Normal as in you don't have some sort of hugely maligned knee/hip issues that make you walk like a duck (or worse), or pre-existing injuries that have screwed your body to begin with.

Most people with "healthy" bodies, with proper bike fit, should be able to use a fixed cleat without issues.

My body isn't "perfect" either - my left and right cleats are aligned differently, and have not had any issues since going to fixed cleats 2 years ago. Actually, the fitting cleared up a lot of problems I was having, and I used float beforehand.

Bill Peterson is the man.

@the OP..

You will be fine using Speedplay Frogs on the road. I race road with Time ATAC Alium pedals, and a number of my team mates are using Time, Eggbeater or SPD pedals. But we are all poor students :)

I dont understand your post. Are you talking about stack height? which in the case of speedplays is lower than other pedals, and how does this relate to Q factor (distance < width > between pedals)? Properly adjusted there is no "play" in the pedal other than the float you adjust to (Zero series).

I was halfway asleep with that posting....

I am taking about stack height.... and speedplays are not lower than other pedals. The "play" I am talking about is the left and right free float canting that happens with speedplay X series pedals/cleats. Its not much movement but you can tell the difference between Speedplays and lets say Looks. This issue can cause your feet to pronate or supinate when you get lazy. I have been on Speedplays on and off for over 10 years and the issue has always been there. Yes I have new cleats..

I was halfway asleep with that posting....

I am taking about stack height.... and speedplays are not lower than other pedals. The "play" I am talking about is the left and right free float canting that happens with speedplay X series pedals/cleats. Its not much movement but you can tell the difference between Speedplays and lets say Looks. This issue can cause your feet to pronate or supinate when you get lazy. I have been on Speedplays on and off for over 10 years and the issue has always been there. Yes I have new cleats..

Don't speedplay cleats have adjustable float? So, you can go from zero to 90...

Don't speedplay cleats have adjustable float? So, you can go from zero to 90...
When he said canting, I'm pretty sure he was referring to the rocking sensation. I could literally rock my shoes side to side just a little while on my Speedplays. Granted, I had to make a conscious effort and never noticed it happening while riding.

Speedplay X series don't have adjustable float, but Speedplay Zeros do. That's the only thing tempting me to switch back to Speedplay. I'd love to be able to decide exactly how much float I need, especially for my "abnormality" (one hip is slightly rotated outward)