Speedplays
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: TX
Posts: 195
Bikes: 2012 Cervelo RS, 2012 Trek Superfly AL Elite, 2008 Motobecane Vent Noir, 1976 Raleigh Fixie conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Speedplays
I recently bought some new Speedplay light action pedals for my new bike and I dislike them. Does anyone else feel like they are standing on ice when they stand to climb? They feel like I could slip right off the pedal cause they move around so much. Maybe I should have bought the adjustable ones.
#2
Certifiably crazy!
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 503
Bikes: Felt Z5, Edict 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have heard of others having this feeling.
I have the Zero pedals and don't remember feeling this way when I first got them. You might adapt in a ride or two.
I have the Zero pedals and don't remember feeling this way when I first got them. You might adapt in a ride or two.
#3
Who is Lance Armstrong?
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 216
Bikes: 2018 CAAD 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I got mine they had a lot of excess grease on the cleat. That should slowly work itself out, and you'll be left with my nice non-slippery pedals.
#4
CAADdict
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Try a pair of 105 5700 SPD-SL's (if you haven't already)
about $50. and if you like them, go full bore to Dura-Ace 7900.
I love the wide platforms, easy in, easy out and the secure feeling I get.
It's what being clipped in is supposed to feel like...connected to the bike.
about $50. and if you like them, go full bore to Dura-Ace 7900.
I love the wide platforms, easy in, easy out and the secure feeling I get.
It's what being clipped in is supposed to feel like...connected to the bike.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 8,546
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Yeah, that's what they feel like. Your feet don't slip off and they don't come unclipped. You get used to it, but after switching to something else, I probably wouldn't go back to that pedal.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times
in
4,663 Posts
Give it time.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times
in
4,663 Posts
Try a pair of 105 5700 SPD-SL's (if you haven't already)
about $50. and if you like them, go full bore to Dura-Ace 7900.
I love the wide platforms, easy in, easy out and the secure feeling I get.
It's what being clipped in is supposed to feel like...connected to the bike.
about $50. and if you like them, go full bore to Dura-Ace 7900.
I love the wide platforms, easy in, easy out and the secure feeling I get.
It's what being clipped in is supposed to feel like...connected to the bike.
#8
Mr. Sparkle
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 534
Bikes: 08 Specialized Allez Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
No, but he read about them on ww, slow twitch, and here so he knows....
Back to the OP. WhyFi is right, every one who rides on speedplay for the first time says the same thing. The more you ride in them the easier and more solid it will be. Just think about shuffling your feet back and forth like you're scraping mud off the bottom of your shoe.
One of the nice things about the zeros is that you can use as much or little float as youd like. I started out with a bit and as I got more comfortable and found my favorite position, took more and more away. If you really can't stand the LA pedals after a while the Zeros may be your ticket.
Back to the OP. WhyFi is right, every one who rides on speedplay for the first time says the same thing. The more you ride in them the easier and more solid it will be. Just think about shuffling your feet back and forth like you're scraping mud off the bottom of your shoe.
One of the nice things about the zeros is that you can use as much or little float as youd like. I started out with a bit and as I got more comfortable and found my favorite position, took more and more away. If you really can't stand the LA pedals after a while the Zeros may be your ticket.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: TX
Posts: 195
Bikes: 2012 Cervelo RS, 2012 Trek Superfly AL Elite, 2008 Motobecane Vent Noir, 1976 Raleigh Fixie conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a set of Ultegra SPD-L pedals that I had on my old bike so I may go back to them. I always felt connected to the bike with them.
#11
Live to ride ride to live
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 4,896
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have used the LAs since they were introduced. The ice feeling goes away after a ride or two a least it did for me. As for the SPD-SL, I started on them, used them for a month but hated them. There were too hard to get in and out of.
I would give them a few rides. If they don't feel better, you could replace the cleats for Zero cleats or you could sell them on Ebay and buy something else.
I would give them a few rides. If they don't feel better, you could replace the cleats for Zero cleats or you could sell them on Ebay and buy something else.
Last edited by Carbon Unit; 02-26-12 at 10:38 AM.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 780
Bikes: Argon18 Gallium 2016, Trek Emonda SL6 Pro 2018, Salsa Beargrease
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well isn'T that "ice feeling" the reason why they say the pedal are easy on the knees? Anyway, I like my speedplays, don't find them that "slippery"...
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: phx, az
Posts: 420
Bikes: Ti
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Zero's work just great for me. You can dial in how much float you want with the screws on the cleat. No issues.
#14
Blissketeer
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,335
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Have not used the LAs but I've used Speeds for many years and LOVE that feeling. Rest assured that you are secure and it makes "dancing on the pedals" so much easier and forgiving on the joints. I'd suggest giving them a full go and see if you don't agree after a bunch of rides. They really are great. Although I do know folks who prefer the locked in, less flexible options...
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 644
Bikes: Scott scale 29er, Gary fisher Rig SS 29er, Fuji Cross pro, Novara Randonee, Scattante TI custom build, Fuji Team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had that 'ice feeling' initially. 4 years later still n Speedplay (switched X to light action).
I tried at one point to switch to shimano... no deal.
I have never inadvertantly unclipped or scraped a pedal through a turn.
I actually think the 'ice feeling' is good... it teaches you to smooth out your pedal stroke (I think the ice feeling is from excessive tibial rotation/float.... but my LA have full float, and I dont have all that motion anymore).
give it time. if you dont like, do something else. but it takes time.
I tried at one point to switch to shimano... no deal.
I have never inadvertantly unclipped or scraped a pedal through a turn.
I actually think the 'ice feeling' is good... it teaches you to smooth out your pedal stroke (I think the ice feeling is from excessive tibial rotation/float.... but my LA have full float, and I dont have all that motion anymore).
give it time. if you dont like, do something else. but it takes time.
#19
Portland, OR, USA
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: portland
Posts: 1,626
Bikes: kona paddywagon, trek 2.1, lemond nevada city, gt zrx
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
speedplay pedals are awesome. ive been riding them for nearly 8 years and its the only clipless pedal i would even consider now. they initially do take some getting used to but once you get over the sensation of unlimited float, that icey feeling you are experiencing, i think you will find you pedal stroke becomes more refined and improves. you couldn't pay me to use a tensioned cleat at this point. good luck.
#20
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,363
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times
in
2,497 Posts
I had trouble for the first 10 mile ride, and after that I got used to the pedals and have never felt the "on ice" feeling again. I'm not sure what the difference is, the pedals are just as slippery as ever.
#22
Maud Magnet
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 765
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Allez Comp, 2001 Kona Stuff
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm really comfortable with the feel of my LA's. But I started with them and they're all I've used so I can't tell you if they're any better than the Zeros or SPD types... I just know I like them and haven't felt compelled to switch to something else.
Just the fact that you don't have to worry about "sides" IMHO make Speedplays better than the SPD types. I can launch from a dead stop with my left foot locked in, then on the downstroke of my right foot, click in without missing a beat. I'm not sure you can do that so easily with any other cleat...
Just the fact that you don't have to worry about "sides" IMHO make Speedplays better than the SPD types. I can launch from a dead stop with my left foot locked in, then on the downstroke of my right foot, click in without missing a beat. I'm not sure you can do that so easily with any other cleat...
Last edited by antmeeks; 02-27-12 at 12:18 AM.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,884
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
i think you should have gotten the zeros.
you could have left the float at 15 degress (same as LA) and then fiddled around to find the float that you prefer.
also, the LAs are supposed to be more "recreational"; its virtually impossible to accidentally unclip while riding zeros...unless your cleats are very very worn.
you could have left the float at 15 degress (same as LA) and then fiddled around to find the float that you prefer.
also, the LAs are supposed to be more "recreational"; its virtually impossible to accidentally unclip while riding zeros...unless your cleats are very very worn.
#24
Maud Magnet
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 765
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Allez Comp, 2001 Kona Stuff
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And I've got over 200 miles on mine and haven't yet accidentally unclipped once. I did, however, fall over @0mph for the first time last week because I spontaneously forgot how to unclip for a second, but that's another story...
#25
Live to ride ride to live
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 4,896
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
i think you should have gotten the zeros.
you could have left the float at 15 degress (same as LA) and then fiddled around to find the float that you prefer.
also, the LAs are supposed to be more "recreational"; its virtually impossible to accidentally unclip while riding zeros...unless your cleats are very very worn.
you could have left the float at 15 degress (same as LA) and then fiddled around to find the float that you prefer.
also, the LAs are supposed to be more "recreational"; its virtually impossible to accidentally unclip while riding zeros...unless your cleats are very very worn.