Samuraidog

Per the recommendation of my bike fitter, I'm contemplating switching from my current Shimano PD-M520 SPD MTB Pedals to stainless Speedplay zero pedals (longer spindle) on my road bike.

It seems that this will be a rather pricey changeover. The pedals will cost me nearly $300 and, from what I can tell based on some web research, new shoes with four hole configuration that fit the speedplay cost $500.

Just wanted to hear if anyone else has invested this kind of money into Speedplay and actually regretted their decision.

Wheever

I did the switch, and did not regret it.

Also, speedplays fit on 3-hole shoes. And actually, depending on how far back you run your cleats, the 3-hole adapter plates give you more options for adjustability.

Samuraidog

I'm such a newb when it comes to speedplay that I didn't know that they were compatible with a 3-hole configuration.

I thought I was stuck with having to buy $500 shoes!

ARPRINCE

The chromo version is cheaper but I don't know if you can get a different spindle length for that. You can always get the TI spindles (eBay) and change it though.

Speedplays always comes with a 3 hole adapter.



I switched from SPD-SL and never looked back. They are great pedals!

MagicHour

Nope. pretty much any 3-hole road shoe will work-occasionally speedplay will list a model/brand as incompatible, but usually are outlier brands/models.
See here for cleat compatibility
https://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shoeguide.searchstart

WorldIRC

I tried Speedplay a few years ago.

1. Way too much float for my liking.
2. Couldn't walk on them (I see they now have walking friendly cleats).
3. Couldn't get used to clipping in and out.

I am happy enough with my Ultegra SPD-SL pedals.

Voodoo76

WorldIRC, which model? Zeros have float adjustable all the way down to none.

I've been on them for 2 years, changed over from Shimano DA. The quality of the float is different than Shimano pedals, much "looser" feeling, that does take a little getting used to. Very positive engagement (on either side) and easy clip out. Great cornering clearance. I've never pulled one.

The float adjustment helps me with an issue. My Right foot tends to heel in as far as the float will allow, so with the zero's I can set that foot angle very precisely.

WorldIRC

I honestly don't remember which model. I couldn't get used to clipping in and out of them. I've tried many pedals over the years on both road and mountain bikes. I always end up back with SPD / SPD-SL.

StanSeven

I tried them for six months and went back to SPD-SLs. I didn't like the float at all. Switching to zero float was better but I liked the feeling of the SPD platform better. I'll add that was before carbon soles so the feeling difference now probably doesn't exist.

Pirkaus

I like my Zeros, the adjustable float is great

Wheever

Lol. They actually come with all the neccessary hardware for 3-hole mounting!

Now, I'm thinking of going to the 4-hole mount, but I run my cleats pretty far back, so I have to figure pit if the shoes in question will allow my cleats to be positioned where I need them. And I'm buying...$500 shoes! (Well, $450.) i need more space in the toe box, and it looks like Bonts are the way to go.

cdnredraider

I've had mine for 1.5 years (X-series). It took me a bit of time to get used to the float, especially when out of the saddle, but I love them now. I will certainly be getting Speedplays in the future.

I have never had any difficulty getting in and out. The LBS owner tried to say they were too hard to get in to, but I've never found that to be the case. I do like the fact that I no longer have to worry about flipping the pedals to get in.

silversx80

I had the Zeros and switched back to SPD-SL Ultegras. Great pedals, but I prefer the ones I've got now.

JohnJ80

I switched from Look and have been really happy with them. I like the float, I like that I can adjust it even to the point of eliminating it, and I like the dual sided entry. I wouldn't go back.

J.

Mike F

I switched to Zero's for about a year and then went to Ultegra's. I was having problems with the pain on the outside of my knee shooting down to my ankle (IT band?). Sometimes I could barley get out of my car and my co-workers got a kick when I would stand up from my chair and nearly fall down. Rarely hurt when I rode but off the bike... yikes. I Would adjust them and it would be fine for a bit. Too many moving parts and maintenance. I went to Ultegra's a year and 1/2 ago and have not had that problem since.

However, everybody I know that rides speedplay's simply love them and have no problems.

dougphoto

I switched from Looks to Speedplays in 2008 and Love my speedplay's. I have bad knees and love the float.

sbxx1985 

Same here. I'd suggest buying the chromo and then finding your spindle length in ti on ebay. I did it a couple years back, along with the bow ties and bolts. It's affordable, especially if you're not spending money on shoes. I think we did a tutorial on how to do it in the old WW thread.

It will drop quite a bit of weight and they have been completely reliable for thousands of miles. I knew I would hate the float of the X series, so I went straight to the Zero after SPDs. Would never look back. Engagement really couldn't be faster.

tangerineowl

"per the recommendation of my bike fitter":-

You seem to require a longer spindle, but what other reasons do they give for this need to switch over?

Reason I'm asking is, there are often waay cheaper ways to modify your foot position, than having to fork out big dollars for a whole new system.

If you DID end up going down the four-hole route, I'd initially hunt around for secondhand shoes/pedals etc. to see if you like it.

e.g. I found a good condition pair of Lake CX331 (3 hole) for $25.

Mulberry20

I have two friends with them and they are like 'eh'.

Too much maintenance they say. Greasing, lubing the cleats with dry lube, keeping the cleat clean.

Sort of a cult, IMO

cdnredraider

Of the three users in our group, no one has been doing the recommended maintenance and it has not caused problems. Long user did an ironman in them.

Samuraidog

Reason for new system with longer spindle was to accommodate corrected knee angle. Pedal washer was added to each side of my MTB pedals and cleats were moved from the center all the way to the inside. I could probably continue to use my current pedal system as is, but my shoes are old and beat up. I was also told that I need a wide shoe.

WhyFi

If you're looking to talk yourself out of something, asking for feedback only from those with regrets is a sure way to do it. No regrets here, though. Going back to SPD-SL certainly wouldn't be the end of the world, but I prefer Speedplays.

You have the second-hand experience of a huge sample size of two and no first-hand experience and you've determined that they're a cult thing? Kudos.

TimothyH

Speedplay Zero stainless are available for $132.20.

Speedplay Zero Stainless Pedals Black - Pedals - Ribble Cycles




I had a pair that lasted me 12 years.

I think I greased the pedals twice and cleaned the dirt out of the cleats if I happened to step in mud or something like that.

JohnJ80

There is no pedal system made that has the adjustability of Speedplay. Between spindle lengths available (Q-factor) and float adjustment, you have amazing adjustability.

You do not need a 4 hole shoe to use them. Most people use them with a 3 hole show and the adaptor that comes in the box. Speedplay has a chart on their website that lists compatibility. There are very few shoes that won't work.

J.

TrojanHorse

I've been using speedplay since about 1998 - I have serious knee issues and struggled with Look, Time etc (not SPD-SL, too long ago) but once I got used to the pedaling on an ice-cube feel of the X series pedals, that was it.

Different strokes for different folks, obviously but 18 years later I'm still using speedplay pedals (light action) and quite happy with them. I also find them easier to clip INTO than all the mooks at the stoplight trying to flip their shimano pedals around so they can clip in, but maybe they're just uncoordinated.

But seriously, the float is the reason to switch, not the spindle length - you can buy adaptors to lengthen your spindles for any pedal system.