Mavericks House

I'm only familiar with Ultegra SL's......is their a "Speedplay" model similar in function or price...? I'm not familar with them, took a look at their websire last night but thats it, never rode them.

I'm picking my C'dale R1000 up today. The dealer won't have Ultegra's 'til later next week, but they have the Speedplay models, and thats what they normally deal anyways. Is their something I should look for with the speedplays, or just wait 'til later next week for the Ultergra's........

botto 

when you write that you're familiar with the ultegra spd-sl, does mean you've used them? the spd-sl and speedplay are two completely different systems, so the only similarity will be price points.

after years of using Looks i switched to spd-sls (ultegra on my old bike, and DA for my new bike).

Love 'em.

gapowermike

I ride both. The speedplay's are in the For Trade thread.....for a pair of SPD's.

'Nuff said.

Michael

rjtokyo

I used to ride Ultegra SPD-SLs but ended up with sore knees. Switched to Speedplay Zeros with their friction-free float and the knee pain went away; love 'em! I have a set on both the training bike and the race bike. I'm building up a "best-bang-for-buck" bike next week for a friend, and putting Speedplays on that build as well. At $150 they're a bit more $ than Ultegras, but to avoid knee pain, that's a place I won't skimp. Lot's to like about them: friction-free float adjustable from 0-15 degrees, double sided entry, effortless release without pre-release, etc. There's a reason they never have put them on sale.

Cheers! - RJ

bellweatherman

I actually have the opposite experience and I have a screwed up knee from an old ACL injury. I didn't like the Speedplays b/c of too much friction free float. I found that it felt better for me to have a little more resistance in the float. Speedplays offered no resistance. Man, it is totally a weird ice skating feeling. So, I switched back to the old Looks.

khuon

Not all Speedplay pedals are like that. The Speedplay Zeros offer both free-float and resistance-based float. They have an adjustable range for the free-float. Once you get past that angle, you hit resistance float until you get to the release angle.

55/Rad

2 years ago, I purchased a set of Ultegra SL's and a set of Speedplay Zero's. Rode them both on seperate bikes for 6 months.

Now, I have 4 sets of SL's and no Speedplays.

The verdict - while I liked the Speedplays, they weren't right for me.

55/Rad

55/Rad

I might add that the Zeros I had were traded for a set of SL's with rjtokyo, who, according to his post above, has had success with them.

Thus the power of BF - people helping people.

55/Rad

Serpico

I am moving from speedplay zeros to shimano 7800 currently

the speedplays are brilliant in theory, but the whole "the cleat is your platform" is bunk--even with carbon soled shoes (which I have)

the amount of float is controllable on the zeros, but still too much imo

double-sided pedals might be a big help for urban cycling where you're constantly clipping in and out at lights--but on a long ride it doesn't make a lot of difference

good luck

rjtokyo

Thanks Rad ! They're still going strong.

Cheers! - RJ

hodadmike

Performance.com has the Ultegras on sale right now for $99. If you print it out and take it to the retail store, they honor that price. The Portland store has a $10 off coupon this weekend only (email offer), plus Team Perf. rebate (10%) make this pedal a screaming deal.

cycle17

I have the Ultegra SLs on both my bikes now. had Speedplays in the past...they weren't for me, but some people love them. They double sided part is nice for a lot of riders. It did take me a while to get used to getting back in the SLs after stopping, but now I love them. It really depends on what "Feel" you like your pedals to have.

formulaben

That is exactly how I described my first few rides on Speedplays. I was horrified on the bike at first. I felt like I was pedalling on platforms of ice. In a weird way, it was the best thing for me; I had to improve my form and now I can't imagine riding without them. Out of curiosity I'd like to try some SPD-SLs, but I doubt I'll ever switch because the primary reason for going to Speedplays was due to harm caused by twisting (and the pedal resistance) when unclipping from the pedal.

bellweatherman

The Speedplays just didn't work for my screwed up knee, but I think it's totally a subjective thing. Some people seem to do very well with them. I did, in fact, have the top-of-the-line Speedplay Zero Titanium model that you are talking about. I tried all different angle combinations. I found that setting the angle to it's lowest setting so that I could get a tiny bit of resistance before rotating too far out to be the most effective. However, that ice-skating feeling was still there before my rotation got to the point of resistance. I guess what works for some, didn't work for me. I Ebayed the speedplays to a guy who was happy to be getting a great deal. And I went back to my old Looks. Happy trails ever since.

khuon

You're right. I'm not going to argue against that. I'm just trying to point out how the Zeros work. It's been my experience that many people are only familiar with the X-pedals which I personally also found had too much free-float. I also disliked the Frogs for the same reason.

rubber_souls

I rode the Ultegra's for just over a year and went through 3 pairs. Just awful pedals in my opinion. I've found the bearings wear out very easily and that the cleats do too.
Changed to speedplay and am loving it. The adjustable float does the trick with my knees and you actually feel locked to the pedals, no vertical play like with the shimanos.
I'd definitely choose the speedplays even if they are a bit more expensive. It's an upgrade worth paying for!

Nachoman

If this is an election, I vote for speedplays.

krazyderek

i'm an ultegra guy... i'm familiar with the "ice skate" feeling, it was evident in the SPD-R shimano pedals. I liked the more controled range of the SL, however it does take quite a bit more fine tuning to get your cleat aligned perfectly on your shoe or it'll twist your leg in very bad ways

linus

I wouldn't go back to Speedplay. I like SPD-SL pedals.

NomadVW 

SPD-SLs for me, though I agree with one of the posters above. It takes some time and patience to get the cleats aligned right. I can tell within 10-15 miles of a new set of cleats if they're not on where the old ones were.

redraiderpt

No experience with the Ultegras, but changed from Looks to Speedplays and love them. After 2 years I don't even notice the float anymore.

belowzero

well well well, I have been riding with standard shoes and have not had the chance to notice or test either old cleats and the new speedplays but I just went to some of the best bikeshops in town and was recommended by a few experienced riders to try the speedplays. I couldn't make up my mind but ultimately was convinced to get them.

advantages obvious were:

- bigger coverage area
- cheaper for the grams / technology
- better clearance
- more angle
- quicker engagement

+ [bonus] I haven't been riding on standard cleats, so there won't be a big noticable difference for someone like me.

I've just asked to replace my speedplay stainless steel zeros for the CSC 'Red' Edition. They look better.

scot

I have used SLs, Eggbeaters and speedplays. Out of the bunch, I would say if you have no knee problems, eggbeaters are easy to get in and out of. I have knee problems though, and the speedplays are wonderful.

Go try them yourself, unfortunately its an individual fit thing, noone can tell you which is best. They are all good, but your body will define the best.

merlinextraligh

I've been riding speedplays for years, and really like them. I think a very high percentage of speedplay users really like them. Most people get past the "ice skating" feeling pretty quickly, and if the don't they're the minority that don't like speedplays.

The advantages of speedplays 1) extremely low stack height, 2) very light (even with the cleat weight) 3) very steep cornering angle, 4) impossible to inadevertantly pull out of, 5) easy on the knees.
The purported disadvantges of speedplays 1) difficult to get in if the cleat is dirty, 2) the ice skate feeling, 3) small contact area, 4) compartively difficult to walk in.

As for the disadvantages, the first is true, you need to keep the cleat clean, and occassionally lubed, the second, as stated, not an issue for most people after one or 2 rides. the 3rd, I've never seen this to matter with a stiff soled shoe, and besides the size of the cleat makes an effectively large and stiff contact area. The fourth, true.

On balance, I think most of the speedplay advantages tilt toward racers, and the "liviblity" issues may make them not the best pedals for people who don't race, and want to be able to walk inside the starbucks mid ride. For me, the fact that I know I will never pull out of the pedal in the sprint, and can pedal deeper through corners is enough to keep me using them.

Journeyman

Purchased Forte spd pedals, the titanium model from Performance. Truly a disappointment for me, very little adjustability and I am sending them back having nevcer even used them on a ride. So, now I have to upgrade. Was considering the Ultegra Spd's but several posters mentioned riding with knee problems and that the Speedplay pedals seemed to help. Can someone explain how the Speedplay pedals help your knees? Also, what is float? Is that the movement it takes to disengage from the pedal? Thanks.

Jman