Just switched from Shimano SPD-SL to Speedplay Zeros and I'm finding them so much easier to use. No more looking down to get clipped in or slipping off.

I switched from Looks.

I found the Speedplays to be a pita to set up but once set up they work very well. Been using them for the past 6 yrs. and I like them a lot.

If you follow the instructions closely they are easy to set up.

I've been thinking of switching to Speedplay, as I seem incapable of consistently clipping into my Looks, which is a problem for crit races. Speedplay users are the most consistently into their pedals quickly. It would help if I put Looks on both bikes, but I keep SPDs on one so I can wear my old shoes in the rain. Plus, since I'm considering switching, I don't want to spend the bucks on another set of Looks. So the vicious circle of ineptitude continues...

I'm sticking with my MTB SPD's for the winter. Double-sided for easy entry in the snow, & I heard that Speedplays are hard to get into when they are covered in mud or snow.

The pinnacle of pedals was back when Shimano had their original road SPD's. Despite what they said, you could use the same cleats for both road and mtb pedals, although the cleats looked slightly different. And I mean completely compatible - road cleats with road and mtb pedals, mtb cleats with road and mtb pedals!

But as usual, Shimano discontinued the original SPD road and evolved to SPD-R, which was compatible with nothing, then SPD-L, which was a return to the Look cleat, but was not compatible with Look pedals. Yeah, typical. I still keep a stock of SPD "wings" (they are prone to breaking) and buy NOS SPD road pedals whenever I can find them!

- L.

Speedplays were my pedal of choice for about three years. But, I got tired of how easily they pick up debris when you have to get off the bike even for two steps. They are very easily clogged, making clicking in quite difficult.

To the OP. Glad you're riding a pedal you like. They do perform quite well while clipped in.

I got some SPD SL's, because I read around here that they are one of the best to use if you are learning how to use clipless..... I look at them occasionally, the box packaging is nice.....

How are SpeedPlay cleats in terms of off-bike walking (as compared to others)? Seems like I read somewhere they stick out quite a bit more than some others, but I could be remembering wrongly.

The have a fairly big footprint that is metal, hence can be slippery, but you can get covers for them. With the covers on, I didn't think they were any more of less difficult than walking with other cleats

I've had Xs for years, and I think they're great. The off-bike walking, however, is a problem. Because of the design, just a little grit in the mechanism can make the cleat seize up, which has happened to me a few times. Just being careful to stay out of the dirt and sand usually does the trick.

I'm working on N+1 and will probably (possibly?) end up clipless before the end, so I'm curious how the various systems compare to each other. In the interim until I decide, I'll probably have PowerStraps put on the bike. I've ridden only platforms so far and they should serve as a middle ground where I can decide how well I like being "strapped in".

Thanks.

I got some Speedplay X2's after riding Looks for years. With no centering force and no limit on rotation, I felt like I was falling off the bike and had to retire them before I ever got used to them.

I've talked to a couple of other folks that had the same reaction.

The ultimate in centering force with float, in my opinion, is Time RXS. Once clipped in, the feel is unsurpassed. On the other hand, durability (body and bearings) and ease of entry are not. The Speedplay Zeroes I'm using now address these problems. I set them up for very little float.

I'm about this far (holds his thumb and forefinger about 1/8" apart) from making the switch from Shimano SPD-SL's to Speedplay myself. Despite putting nearly 1000 miles on the Shimano pedals, I still have trouble clipping-in too often. The problem is exacerbated in the cold weather now that I am using toe-covers on my shoes, because they "deaden" the feel and make it that much harder to clip-in by feel alone. I find that I have to be complete about five steps perfectly in order to clip-in after a stop. It is less a problem on the MUP where I ride most often, but when I am on the road where I can be easily distracted by the surrounding traffic situation at intersections, it really becomes problematic and something of a safety hazard. The only reason I haven't switched already is that I hear that Speedplay Zeros have a problem picking up dirt which clogs the mechanism.

I think Speedplays are easier to walk in than Looks, but... they are incredibly sensitive to getting dirt and mud in them. I've walked in some nasty junk with Look cleats, but with the Speedplays be sure to stay on the pavement.

It's not that I didn't know how to put them together it was more like they kept shifting and coming apart. This despite using blue Loctite to secure per LBS suggestion. I should mention that I have a teaching cert in Industrial Tech (used to be called "shop class") and know how to use tools. I also think using Phillips head screws is not the best.

Hmm...that's not my experience. And, I thought it would be but it hasn't happened to me. Then again, I take them apart once or twice a season to clean them. Been using the same set for 6 yrs. so far and no sign that I will need new ones anytime soon.

You're not suggesting I don't keep my equipment clean, are you?!?!?! One of the things I liked about them was the ability to put fresh lube in on a regular basis. They made that process quite easy.... remove a screw and shoot in some new grease.

I have friends who would say just what you've said, but I have more that would say they have problems with the dirt and grit.

I use the speedplay frogs on all of my bikes. I have no problems with them but also don't do much bad weather riding, at least intentionally. I chose the frogs because the mtb style makes for easier walking off of the bike.

I've been a Look rider since the original white pedals came out in the '80s, with the exception of the SPDs on the mountain bike. But for Hilly Hundred I swapped pedals between the two, so I could start from a standstill on the hills and be able to just step down onto the pedal without having to worry about gettting enough momentum to spend a second or two getting clipped into the Looks. I liked it. A lot. Enough that I'm considering going with a Speedplay, SPDs or some other double-sided pedal (maybe Crank Bros?) on the road bike. So I'm finding this discussion very interesting.

I found that once you have the cleat cover on they are as easy to walk in as most road shoes. I use Zeros so I can easily adjust the floatand the very positive feeling once you are clipped in. If however you forget the cover and walk on concrete or hard road surfaces you can wear the metal retaining plate down making the mounting screws hard to get out. That and they are bit more expensive than some other cleats if you replace them every 6 months like they suggest. Still they are the cleats I prefer.

Had 'frogs' years ago, Shimano sandals only disengaged at certain points of the rotation.
Longer axles would have allowed them to work. they make some..
but i got ATAC pedals instead..
now i have to remember which bin I put the clipless pedals into..

I just got a set of Speedplays this week for my tri-bike. One ride so far...some toe numbness, and hot spot on one foot. Too early to judge.

If you use the covers you will not get debris in clips. I use Zeros and have for years and the same clips going on three years. They are a great "stomp and go" pedal and are just the ticket when starting out on a steep hill. Just put the covers in your jersey pocket or under seat bag so if you are going to be in some mud they will be protected.