hurley.girl

I have Keos on every bike, and I find myself having a heck of a time getting my foot clipped in. I had the older Looks previously, and could clip in without a problem. The Keos thwart me. I've been using them for a little over a year, so I don't think it's going to get better. Years ago, when I first went clipless, I started with spds and those also gave me a lot of trouble.

I'd be ok with it, except it hurts me in races. Those few seconds I waste fumbling for my pedal put me at the back, or off that back chasing, right at the start of the race.

My question is - how easy is it to get yourself clipped in quickly using Speedplay?

Namenda

So much easier than Keo's, its crazy. Really.

deepakvrao

Is it that much easier than Shimano road pedals too?

brian416

Easiest pedals out there, you just step on the pedal and they clip in, there's no trying to get the front of the cleat in first, just step down and go

AngryScientist 

my experience with speedplays (which are all i use (zero's)) are that they are a truly "stomp and go" pedal. i never have to look at them, or think about them at all, i just start pedaling and get the satisfying click that means im in...

exRunner

I use Zeros, and I am not sure you guys are telling the entire story. There is no locator for SP pedals, so a stomp and go requires muscle memory and some practice.

New SP's are far more difficult to get into than SPD-L or Keos. They only get easier after a couple of hundred cycles.

With all that said, I am not sure that someone that can't master Keos would be any better off with Speed Play. Both require a certain amount of body control.

Carbon Unit

I have Light Action pedals which are the easiest pedals to get in and out of, period. However, if you are racing, Zeros are the the way to go.

I have heard that it is possible to get a Zero spring from Speedplay that has been broken in already making them much easier to clip in.

Nachoman

I use speedplays on all my bikes. I would say it's pretty rare to experience any fumbling or trouble clicking in. It happens, but it's rare.

hurley.girl

Thanks for the responses. Anyone want a set of Keo Carbons and a set of Keo Sprints?

RoboCheme

I used to have Looks and I, too, had problems clipping in. My Zeros are great. No fumbling around and looking down at the pedals (not a good idea when going through an intersection).

New springs do take some breaking in, but after that clipping in is a breeze.

ImRael

Step on pedal.
While pressing down, rotate heal outward (laterally).
If you are centered correctly, you'll hear the 'click'.

Keep the little rails on your cleats lubed.

pinwheel

I used Keos for about 800 miles and they were straight up aggravating through and through. I switched to Zeros and 100 miles later, everything is spot on. And did use Time ATACs before with no issues either. Those Keos .... some of us just can't get them to work.

Tunnelrat81

I'd say yes....my wife has been wanting a new set of pedals to replace her OLD shimano look style that use the delta cleat, but I think she wants to go with speedplay since that's what I ride. I've pondered going with looks myself just to try out the larger platform of support, but the price would have to be really sweet for me since I'm almost completely happy with the speedplay X's.

-Jeremy

jisaacreese

I switched from spd's to Speedplay Zeros this spring. Wow. I absolutely love them. No complaints at all, easy to clip in and out and I don't have to ever look at that pedals when getting in and out of them.

SpongeDad

The only downside to Zeroes (I have them on two bikes) is that there are very few 4 bolt shoes out there. So you have to use 3 bolt adapters, which are included. Net of this is that getting your cleat position dialed in can be a pain in the ass.

Also, they really aren't walkable unless you put covers on them. That may not matter much, but it is a pain if you're sliding around a convenience store trying to buy something in the middle of an all day ride.

All that being said, I'm wouldn't change pedals even if it were free.

Garfield Cat

I have pronation, meaning flat feet. So when I press down, I am not naturally "centered". Therefore, I have to place the cleat on the pedal and then press down. When I place the cleat on the pedal, I compensate for the pronation by a bit of rotation. I do this rotation by putting a bit of my weight/force on the outer part of the foot.

smoore

I've been using Speedplays for about six years. Love 'em...however as another poster said, not very easy to walk in for any distance at all. That's not a problem for me but it all depends on how and where you ride.

daxr

I have Light Actions, and they are very easy to get into. I haven't used Keos or other set ups, but on one group ride I regularly ride with a group that uses that type. Clipping back in after a stop I'm easily the first one moving, without any special effort.

SHPBike

I've got Zeros. They can be difficult to clip in and out of if you don't keep them lubed. Use some dry lube before each ride or two and you'll be good to go.

FWIW: I don't think they're any easier than Looks or Shimanos.

tosterbe

I swapped out my late 80s vintage looks for zeros two years ago. First ride or two, I had this feeling of walking on ice. No real problems after the switch. Other posts about cleat positioning are true. I would recommend that you take a peek at the speedplay instructions and compatible shoe list and see if your LBS has the speedplay 'install box-o-goodies' to get the cleat placement done properly.

Highly agree that the cleat covers are needed as well as the dry lube. Using both of these, I get around 5000 miles out of a pair of cleats.

The last bit of info is that you really need to pay attention to the instructions about cleat installation -- don't overtighten the screws or you will a) have trouble clipping in b) mess up the retaining plate that holds the nut(s) c) or both... Get some blue loctite as you should/will need to reapply it if you make clear adjustments.

JonnyV

Went from Shimano 105's to Speedplay Zero's and will not thinking about another pedal for a road bike. Even considering getting the Frog's for my mountain bikes. The adjustable float is amazing, but I wish there was adjustable tension for the release. However I haven't had an issue with accidental unclipping.

elader

ya the lube makes the difference. Once you know where the cleat is on your foot, it's easier than Keos.

bobthib

I got Speedplay LAs despite advice from the heavy hitters in the club. NO REGRETS!!! No knee or ankle problems. I always make sure I'm at the head of the pack at the lights because I HATE trying to get around all the others struggling to clip in in the middle of the intersection. Just follow mfgs directions on lubrication. No big deal.

OK, I've never tried any other clip-less pedal. But after seeing what I see at every intersection on every club ride, I ask myself, "Why bother?"

Do it. Pull the trigger.

Rohc

SP's Tooooooooo eeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssy

deepakvrao

What shoes do you use for speedplay cleats?