Speedplay vs. other pedals
 

What pedals do you use???

When i got my bike at 16 i purchased a nice set of Look pedals basically because most pro's used them (or Time pedals)...And I've had the same type ever since. The guys I've been riding with for the past year or so all use Speedplay (the circular pedals). I've tried them a few times and they felt extremely awkward to say the least. I guess you do get used to them, but it basically felt like my feet were pedalling on ice! lol. My friends say its easier on the knees, but it just seems like they give you a little "too" much play.

I read a recent article on cyclingnews.com about Jonathan Vaughters on a mission to try to win over some other euro pros into switching to speedplay...I've never see any other euro pro's riding with them...all i see is the Look, Time, Campy, or Shimano pedals...

Just wanting your guys opinions on these pedals...why you like them, why you don't...

I'm with you. Sometimes I even think the Look pedals (using the red cleats) have too much float.

Like you said, maybe you just have to get used to it.

Speedplays took care of my knee problems.

I got used to the float in about 3 rides.

One thing for sure, I will never go back to SPDs.

But, what works for me (or for you) may not be right for everyone. I don't see many of them here in Germany at all.

Cheers,
Jamie

I have FROGS on all my good bikes. That "floating" sensation goes away quickly, and you're left with good solid control.

I've used Look pedals for years...but I've grown tired of clop-cloping around when I have to walk, slipping on stairs, tripping, etc. I've been considering Speedplays (or something like them) for the simple reason that I could walk more normally, safely, comfortably, confidently in them...

i have 3 pair of Speedpla Frogs (Full suspension, hardtail/commuter, and road bike) and you get used to the "pedalling on ice" feel very quickly.

although it's a personal thing - you can't adjust the pedals so if you like them tight or loose you're SOL b/c they only come one way... of course for me that's better

i don't know too much, but IN GENERAL, the pros ride what they are "paid" to ride -- i.e. if Time or Look sponsors their team then that's probably what they ride... on the other hand, products that are pro sponsors get lots of feedback and do lots of design and testing so the products improve - and obviously almost no pro uses something that's total crap... but it's all a business these days - Lance rides a Trek not necessarily b/c it was his favorite frame (my guess it likely was NOT) but b/c they gave millions of dollars -- then they dedicated a design team to him and desinged a bike for him just the way he wanted (presumably)... but Lightspeed may still be better...

For what it's worth, nunquam, the guys I know with Speedplay X-pedals don't walk very comfortably or confidently. The cleat is huge and expensive -- $50-$60 Canadian as opposed to $12 for the Look cleats. They're very careful with them.

Thanks velocipedio...are there any road pedals that don't require you to have a 1/2-inch thick plate on the ball of your foot?

Not the answer that your looking for, but do you have cool covers? They save my life when im off the bike.

The other thing I've found out about speedplays is that they list the weight of their pedals whereas other companies list the combined weght of pedals and cleats. What you're spinning is the pedal, the cleat, the shoe, the crank, the whole deal. So if you want to compare apples to apples you have to consider the weight of the pedal and cleat combined.

The speedplay cleats are heavy compared to other cleats. Combined pedal/cleat weight of the speed play roads is 322 grams; of the frogs is 298 grams. The frogs are actually lighter than the road pedal/cleat, and more user friendly in that they don't mind a little dirt. I hear the speedplay roads can't handle any dirt at all.

Performance (yeah, I know, a store brand...) has some SPD pedals that weigh 200 grams for $90. They have a Ti spindle so I would wonder about durability. They also have an SPD pedal with a cro-moly spindle for $60. I'm tempted to give one of these a try.

It kind of pisses me off to hear of speedplay's deliberate deception in pedal/cleat weight. They make a big deal of being the lightest pedal out there, but when the truth is known, they're one of the heaviest. What a bunch of crap! Marketing hype (lies) is the way of American capitalism, but it sucks rocks.

Speedplays are getting a bad rap here from what sounds like folks who have never tried them. And some of the comparisons seem a bit unfair. I am no Speedplay evangelist (as I said above, what works for me may not work for others), but there seems to be a need for a bit of "correction" here:

I cannot remember the exact weights, but when I switched from SPDs to Speedplays, I weighed both the cleats and the pedals (out of curiosity, not because I cared that much). My X-3 (the heaviest Speedplays) weighed just above 1/2 my SPDs (an older, cheaper model). The SPD cleats were indeed a few grams lighter than the the Speedplay cleats. I doubt there is much difference between the Speedplay cleats and Look cleats.

The end result was that I saved at least 40% on weight. I noticed the difference immediately. I cannot confirm, but when I was shopping for new pedals, I noticed that Speedplays were listed as weight per *pair*, while all others were listed as weigh per *pedal*.

Furthermore, IslandRider implies a comparison of a Titanium SPD with some unnamed Speedplay (but, based on the weights given, presumably the Cr-Mo, their heaviest). If you want to go with Ti, Speedplay makes a Ti pedal that comes in at about 150 grams per pair (and the cleats can't be more than 50 grams per pair).

As to the dirt issue: I can only speak for the "X-" road pedals, and, yes, a lot of dirt would prevent proper engagement. But, keeping them clean is a non-issue. I look at them after every couple of rides. I find it necessary to brush them out only once every couple of weeks.

I have never walked comforably or confidently in any cleated cycling shoe. Frankly, my SPDs left scratches in the marble floor in my entry way, requiring me to put them on outside (hardwood floors anyone?). The Speedplays do not. And, after all, does one buy cleats and cycling shoes for walking?

As I said before, they cured my knee problems and the icy float feeling went away fast. I have not tried Look or Lake pedals, but as far as I am concerned, SPDs are a lousy system--hard to position correctly, they create a minimal platform (which, admittedly, may be a non-issue, but I didn't like it), and the float is compromised by pedal's spring tension.

I would suggest, don't judge a pedal before you've ridden a few hundred kilometers on it.

Cheers,
Jamie

A bad rap? Not at all.

Most of the people I know who've used them love them. The question, however, was whether the Speedplay cleats are easier to walk in and, from what I've seen and heard, and considering the replacement cost of a damaged cleat, not at all.

I personally prefer Look. I tried Speedplays briefly once and found the float a little disconcerting. I also prefer to have the release mechanism on the bike rather than on my foot.

It's preference.

I have used look Pedal, and I find it very efficient, as for the akward of walking with it , it has not bother me a bit....

Re: walking -- If I often add a "stop" on long rides - a bagel shop, a bike shop, an historical site, etc. - I'd like to be able to walk comfortably and safely in those places. I sometimes bring rubber slippers, but they're awkward carry on a bike.

I'm more of a touring cyclist, I guess, rather than a racing cyclist. I just haven't started shopping for the right pedals and shoes yet.

I will let you know... today's my birthday :) and today I will buy a new set of shoes (Diadora Ergos... well, actually my LBS will have to order them) and a new set of pedals (Speedplay X-2). I will get the Coffee Cans (rubber cleat covers) since I do get off the bike).

Ive only gone from spd to speedplay. I cant believe how bad the spd felt for me. Tension was never consistent in both pedals - at times the clip in felt odd. The speedplays are great for me, no knee problems, and they are easier for me to walk in - verses the small spd cleat that gouges the rubber flooring at work.

OK, you guys are starting make a Speedplay believer out of me...

However, the weight issue still bugs me. Here's what I have for weights (per pair) for the X-2's: pedals 198 grams; cleats 126 grams; total 324 grams

For the frogs: pedals 250 grams; cleats 48 grams; total 298 grams

Another issue is price: the x-2's are $165; the frogs $125. If you want the X-1's with the Ti axle you've got to shell out $250. Campy Record pedals don't cost that much!

As far as the Performance SPD pedal/cleat weight goes, I will weigh them myself because I'm not so sure that the listed weight includes the cleat. 200 grams per pair pedal+cleat sound too good to be true.

I may end up buying the frogs after all....

I'm riding speedplays, I really like em but you need
to give em about 5 rides before you get used to the
standing on an icecube feeling. Now I don't notice
it at all, and I find my foot is really stable on the
pedal.
Yeah they load up with crud if you walk thru mud/dirt
but I've found the cafe covers help alot. They do raise
the front of your foot a little, but I'd rather save the
cleat. Best advice, don't walk on em.

If you like the speedplay design but don't want all
that float there is the new Zero series, but be
warned, they are EXPENSIVE, also adjustable
float.
There are some deals on the X series now,
Nashbar has the X3 for $99 and I've heard of
the X1 (ti spindle) for less than $150 but haven't
found a site for that.

Marty

You guys must be talking about spds on a pure road shoe, my mtb/tour shoes recess the cleat and I have a lot more hours walking in them than riding.
kev:confused:

I have spd's and borrowed a friend's speedplays (stainless steel ones) to try out. I fell in love with them in minutes. I didn't have that 'skating on ice' effect, although I can see how it would effect some people. I rode around on them for half an hour and became very comfortable with them.

I weighed my spd's and both pedals were 330g, the speedplays were 190g. I then weighed my shoe with cleat and it was only 10g lighter than the same shoe with speedplay cleat. But weight aside, the speedplays just felt better and I plan to get a pair when I replace my spd's.

I was going to get a set of Speedplays but I received a pair of Look Keo Classics for my bday. So once they wear out I may try Speedplays.

Previously I had Look 369(?) pedals. The Keo's are smaller and feel pretty nice. Then again, I'm used to Look's and have never had anything else.

Maybe look on craigslist for some used ones if you're worried about the cost of buying pedals you might not want. That way you can resell them and probably get what you paid for them.

Good luck!

As a look users since about the age of 16, I can say that I will also likely switch to Speedplay pedals sometime in the future - whenever I need new pedals.

I got into cycling to rehab my shot knee after ACL repair.....I'm looking to go clipless very soon, in speedplay users opinion, do they have the amount of float I should be looking for? Should I focus strongly on float? Has anyone with ACL surgery use any specific pedal? thanks all

the non-centering float of the speedplays does take some getting used to. I went from Look (reds) to speedplays and as others have said it takes several rides to get used to.

very comfortable and easy on the knees once you do get used to them though.

speedplays rock