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Speedplays

Old 02-26-12, 07:43 AM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 07:56 AM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:18 AM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:18 AM
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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.


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Old 02-26-12, 08:21 AM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:46 AM
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Give it time.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 2ndGen
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.
You've ridden extensively on Speedplays?
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Old 02-26-12, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
You've ridden extensively on Speedplays?
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.
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Old 02-26-12, 09:17 AM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 99m6z28
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.
Me too.

Last edited by 2ndGen; 02-26-12 at 09:32 AM.
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Old 02-26-12, 10:32 AM
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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.

Last edited by Carbon Unit; 02-26-12 at 10:38 AM.
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Old 02-26-12, 01:50 PM
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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"...
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Old 02-26-12, 02:31 PM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 03:14 PM
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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...
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Old 02-26-12, 05:48 PM
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He could sell his LA cleats to someone like me and buy Zero cleats.
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Old 02-26-12, 06:13 PM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Carbon Unit
He could sell his LA cleats to someone like me and buy Zero cleats.
Really? I thought they weren't compatible.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by valygrl
Really? I thought they weren't compatible.
Speedplay will tell you that they are incompatible but I have heard they are interchangeble. I rode a bike at a bike shop that had Speedplay Zero pedals with my LA cleats and didn't have any problem at all with them.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:45 PM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 08:48 PM
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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.
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Old 02-26-12, 11:37 PM
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I've been riding speedplay zero's for 3 years now. No problems
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Old 02-27-12, 12:09 AM
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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...

Last edited by antmeeks; 02-27-12 at 12:18 AM.
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Old 02-27-12, 12:13 AM
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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.
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Old 02-27-12, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by abstractform20
the LAs are supposed to be more "recreational"; its virtually impossible to accidentally unclip while riding zeros...unless your cleats are very very worn.
I know a couple of serious guys that ride crits, etc. that use the LA's. So while I think that Speedplay markets them as recreational/training, they are totally suitable for more demanding riding. I just think it's a matter of preference, YMMV.

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...
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Old 02-27-12, 12:27 AM
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Originally Posted by abstractform20
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 can't accidently unclip with the LA as well.
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