Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Riding Fixed with Speedplay Zeros

Hey all,

I've read a damn lot of pedal threads in this particular forum, a good number of them regarding clipless in particular, and I haven't come across much regarding the Speedplay Zeros (or X series, really). I was just wondering whether anyone had anything to say about them in regards to how well they work on a fixed-gear.

I do a pretty good amount of skipping, and I'd really just like to know that if I were to purchase a pair, they wouldn't bite me in the ass in that regard. Of course, any other relevant info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I've been on the Speedplay X's with the SS spindle for a few years. I love them! Great for high rpm downhills.

Only problem I ever had was when the cleat wore out and I had issues getting in and out. Like any cleat system, they wear out and you replace them.
They also get a bit tricky to get in and out of once they get mudded up.

I have heard the zeros are even better than the X's but I do not have any first hand info on them.

You can buy a "cleat protector" for speedplay pedals.

They are good. A buddy of mine uses Speedplays on a road bike that he converted to fixed gear for training. He runs a 53/13 gear ratio and skid stops w/out any troubles coming unclipped. I've never used them, but my friend has used them for a while now and has no complaints. But he also keeps his cleats in good condition.

No experience with the Zero's/X's but I have two pairs of Frogs that I swap between bikes, and they work well for me. Gotta pick up a bearing kit for one pedal on my fixed as it's developed play though.

The Zeros are very good pedals, but ease of use will depend on your previous clipless experience. If you come from an SPD background, they will be fantastic for you. If, like me, you come from 20yrs of Time/Look background, the straight down 'stomp' engagement will never become second nature. If you have no clipless experience, you will learn how to use them just fine. You can adjust the float on the Zeros, and they will not release accidentally. My experience with them is first hand.

53/13? Is dude a monster and cruises at 30 mph or what?

Also, the main problem with speedplays is that (IIRC) the cleats are too large to allow mountain pedals to work. Therefore, if you're unclipping and walking around a good bit they just become a hassle. Other than that rock em!

I have these pedals on my fixed gear as well as the road bikes and have been very happy with them in both applications.

The step in - step out is super easy and I've found them to be very durable even with the sand on the roads down here.

On the track I'm still a little more comfortable with traditional clips and straps but that is just probably from the fact that I've been riding on tracks like that since '75...and have had first person experience with having a foot come loose during a track sprint :eek:

If you're not real sure of the level of float, just start out using the zero's with the float cranked down tightly.

Joel

53/13? Is dude a monster and cruises at 30 mph or what?

Pretty much. Yes. I always feel like an inferior cyclist around him.

The Zeros are very good pedals, but ease of use will depend on your previous clipless experience. If you come from an SPD background, they will be fantastic for you. If, like me, you come from 20yrs of Time/Look background, the straight down 'stomp' engagement will never become second nature. If you have no clipless experience, you will learn how to use them just fine. You can adjust the float on the Zeros, and they will not release accidentally. My experience with them is first hand.

Luckily, I do come from an SPD background. That's why I'm looking more at the Zeros than the X series; I'm afraid of too much float. I actually wasn't aware that TIME and Look made you do anything other than just stomp in.

What I'd really like to do is find an LBS that carries the Speedplays, the Crank Brothers Quattros, the TIME ATACs, and the Bebops (not that they really exist anymore, from the looks of things), and take a couple hours to test 'em all out, but I don't think that's going to happen.

I actually wasn't aware that TIME and Look made you do anything other than just stomp in.

On Time/Look, you need to hook the leading edge of the cleat into the pedal first, and flip the pedal flat. The movement is more of a forward one initially, and once mastered, is easy and positive. If you try it on the Zeros, you constantly skate out of position. BTW, I find my Quattros pretty easy to operate as well. They have the added bonus of being able to use MTB shoes with them as well as road shoes (same cleat), and I frequently switch back and forth between shoes and pedals on my bikes. My MTB has Crank Bros. Candys, but plenty of fixed gear devotees use plain old Eggbeaters and have no issues.

On Time/Look, you need to hook the leading edge of the cleat into the pedal first, and flip the pedal flat. The movement is more of a forward one initially, and once mastered, is easy and positive. If you try it on the Zeros, you constantly skate out of position. BTW, I find my Quattros pretty easy to operate as well. They have the added bonus of being able to use MTB shoes with them as well as road shoes (same cleat), and I frequently switch back and forth between shoes and pedals on my bikes. My MTB has Crank Bros. Candys, but plenty of fixed gear devotees use plain old Eggbeaters and have no issues.

I'm looking at the Speedplays and the Quattros in particular as they look like they'd be passable as plain pedals were I to want to ride over to the coffee shop or something like that with normal shoes. I would be using them 95+% of the time as full-on clipless pedals, cleats and all, but I would like the option for the other 5% (without cobbling together frankenpedals from, say, wood and extra cleats).

I use Zero track edition pedals on the track and they are probably impossible to pull out of. You would never want to ride these on the street as it takes a concentrated effort to clip in and the cleats are even more cumbersome than other road cleats.

I'm looking at the Speedplays and the Quattros in particular as they look like they'd be passable as plain pedals were I to want to ride over to the coffee shop or something like that with normal shoes. I would be using them 95+% of the time as full-on clipless pedals, cleats and all, but I would like the option for the other 5% (without cobbling together frankenpedals from, say, wood and extra cleats).

Why forgo the foot retention 5% of the time? You can even get SPD compatible sandals that will work with the Crank Bros cleats.

Why forgo the foot retention 5% of the time? You can even get SPD compatible sandals that will work with the Crank Bros cleats.

Sometimes you just don't want to change shoes. :)