Road Cycling - Pedal Float

Everyone talks about Speedplay pedals saving their knee because of float. If you have your cleat set in the right place wouldn't there be plenty of float on most pedals to allow for what little your knee can rotate?

I bought Ultegra pedals for my new build that I am working on. I was on cheap Looks. I hope I didn't make a mistake. Usually my knees are o.k. on Looks as long as I have the float centered in my natural pedal stroke.

I think if you have it centered you should be pretty good. I changed shoes and pedals about 6 months ago. The new pedals had more float, so I turned the cleat a little so I didn't have to twist so far to release on the left side. About three rides and my left knee started to hurt. I centered the cleat and all is fine.

I have talked to some folks that set up their pedals, complained and found out that they did not set them up centered in a neutral position. I wonder if some of the folks that made the switch to speedplays and feel that their knees have been saved didn't have their cleats set up a little off, either by their own hand or someone else's?

Although, I'm the last to knock anyone that finds a good reason to buy new stuff. New stuff is fun.

You could be right..... but for whatever reason I love the Speedplays. Like my Daddy told me, "If it aint broke, don't fix it!" :D

Everyone talks about Speedplay pedals saving their knee because of float. If you have your cleat set in the right place wouldn't there be plenty of float on most pedals to allow for what little your knee can rotate?

I bought Ultegra pedals for my new build that I am working on. I was on cheap Looks. I hope I didn't make a mistake. Usually my knees are o.k. on Looks as long as I have the float centered in my natural pedal stroke.

It depends. SPDs can be difficult to get just right. That's why you can pay better bike shops to do a precision fit kit alignment. Of course, once you've done that =and= bought pedals, you may as well have bought Speedplays in the first place and been free of the concern. If you have bad knees, arthritis, an unusual gait, or an inordinantly difficult time setting up SPDs, Speedplays may be your best bet.

That being said, Speedplays are expensive, available from only one manufacturer, and may not fit your shoes. Furthermore, if the reason your knees are hurting is because you're habitually pushing too high a gear, then Speedplays won't do anything for you.

It depends. SPDs can be difficult to get just right. That's why you can pay better bike shops to do a precision fit kit alignment. Of course, once you've done that =and= bought pedals, you may as well have bought Speedplays in the first place and been free of the concern. If you have bad knees, arthritis, an unusual gait, or an inordinantly difficult time setting up SPDs, Speedplays may be your best bet.

That being said, Speedplays are expensive, available from only one manufacturer, and may not fit your shoes. Furthermore, if the reason your knees are hurting is because you're habitually pushing too high a gear, then Speedplays won't do anything for you.


Do the Speedplay Frogs have just as much float? I use the SPDs, and like wearing MTB shoes when I walk. I've been thinking about switching to Speedplays, as I'm one of those people that have a hard time setting the shoe cleats up properly.

the only speedplays with alot of float are the x series

the only speedplays with alot of float are the x series
Not quite true. Frogs have slightly less float than the X (20 degrees vs. 25 or 28, depending on model) and zeros are adjustable from 0 to 15 degrees.

I use frogs. They're a little bigger and heavier than the zeros and Xs, but they are still lighter than most road pedals. Purchasers of frogs should be sure to get them with the new frog II cleat and not NOS frog I cleats. The new ones fit more different shoes. Check the compatability matrix on Speedplay's web site.

ok, the ones with the most float are the x series

I just got my new Lemond Benos Aris and it came with Shimano M515 SPD pedals. I twisted my knee shoveling snow (ouch) and am now thinking that since I have arthritis and now a damaged miniscus in my left knee (to be confirmed by my friendly ortopedist) I am thinking of putting Speedplays on the bike. Are the X3 any good?? Or do I need to cough up the $170 for the X2 in order to get a good and reliable pedal??

Any help greatly appreciated!!!

Disclaimer - spelling has not been corrected!! This may not be perfect! Spell checker on the forum would be a help for those of us who suffer with dyslexia (and can't see our spelling mistakes).

do not buy x2 pedals they are crap, they use bushings and crap. look here http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.xspecs they also have 3 degrees less float.

I have a set of X-2s on my primary road bike, and a set of X-3s on an old touring bike that I occasionally ride. I really like the Speedplays. The only disadvantage I've noticed is that when going on recreational club rides where others have single-sided pedals I've had to learn to hold back pulling away from stops. Otherwise I ride up the tailpipes of riders still trying to clip into their Looks, etc. I also have a hybrid bike with Time Atac double sided pedals. I'm going to go to frogs on that bike because the lack of float really makes my calves sore!

Take a look at roadbikereview.com for the views of other riders. Both the X-2 and X-3 have lots of reviews. Most are quite positive, but a few are negative. The float really is different -- if you are used to your pedals holding your ankles and calves in line, you'll find that Speedplays are a whole different world! At least one reviewers complained that the X-3s are not durable.

Suggestions if you go with Speedplays: (a) take time to get the cleats properly centered on your shoes; (b) watch the screws that mount the cleats -- they can come loose (loctite helps); they can also be too tight making it difficult to clip in; (c) buy the "coffee shop covers" (about $12-15). Speedplays are really difficult to walk in and you don't want dirt, gravel, etc., in the cleats. The covers really help; (d) do the maintenance and lube from time to time as recommended.

Shimano doesnt say much about float.I was looking for info on the float of the R600.Anybody use them?

do not buy x2 pedals they are crap, they use bushings and crap. look here http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.xspecs they also have 3 degrees less float.

Djbowen, do you mean "don't buy the X-3s"? -- they are the pedals with the bushings, not the X-2s, according to the Speedplay site in your link.

Shimano doesnt say much about float.I was looking for info on the float of the R600.Anybody use them?

Shokhead, I use the R600 pedals and really like them. They come stock with the SH11 cleats which, to me have a good amount of float. I haven't seen any rating about how many degrees, but I don't think I would want any more. There are optional cleats, SH10 I think, the red ones, that lock you in with no float if that's what you prefer. I'm a little succeptible to knee pain after a busted leg from a motorcycle accident set crooked and shorter, but no problem with these. Exiting is really easy, without pre-release, even on the lightest setting. Entry is not quite as easy, but probably because I'm kinda lame. Nice wide platform, easy to walk on, no hot spots (although I have carbon soles so that's a bit unfair). Thumbs up from me :D .

Shokhead, I use the R600 pedals and really like them. They come stock with the SH11 cleats which, to me have a good amount of float. I haven't seen any rating about how many degrees, but I don't think I would want any more. There are optional cleats, SH10 I think, the red ones, that lock you in with no float if that's what you prefer. I'm a little succeptible to knee pain after a busted leg from a motorcycle accident set crooked and shorter, but no problem with these. Exiting is really easy, without pre-release, even on the lightest setting. Entry is not quite as easy, but probably because I'm kinda lame. Nice wide platform, easy to walk on, no hot spots (although I have carbon soles so that's a bit unfair). Thumbs up from me :D .
So the cleats adjusts for float,like my 535's do,thanks.

I use the R600s as well. Great pedals, they seem very durable.

Like rjokyo said, there's two kinds of cleats you can get for them. The one that comes stock has some float. You can order another kind that has zero float.

Easy to clip out and easy to clip in (as long as the pedals are facing the right way).

I use the R600s as well. Great pedals, they seem very durable.

Like rjokyo said, there's two kinds of cleats you can get for them. The one that comes stock has some float. You can order another kind that has zero float.

Easy to clip out and easy to clip in (as long as the pedals are facing the right way).
When i upgrade shoes or pedals,i'll upgrade both at the same time.