SpinDr

Hi!

I am currently running Look Keo clipless pedals on the Felt, but have been considering switching to Speedplay for some time - the supposed ease of entry/exit and knee-friendly float being the attractions.

I have read VERY mixed reviews on various websites so I don't know what to do.

My questions are:

1. Should I go for it?
2. If I do go for it should I go for X, Zero or Light Action?
3. Are the cheaper chromoly spindles a false economy and should I spend the extra cash and go for steel or titanium instead?

I do not ride competetively, but I like to put the miles in and often go fairly hard.

Thanks for any advice!

Ben

patentcad

Keep the Keos. Get the red cleats.

kimconyc

1. It depends. Are you switching just for kicks?

2. It depends on how much float you want/need. If you need more than 15 degrees of float, X series.

3. I have both the chromoly and stainless Zeros. There is negligible weight savings between the two; however, the stainless does look nicer.

After about 5k miles on the chromoly ones, the paint has worn off a bit on the spindle. That and the extra price difference is the only thing I notice between the two. If you want ultimate bling and weight savings, get the titanium.

Other notes:
Keep in mind that you will have to get a grease gun to maintain your pedals every 1500-2000 miles. This might be considered a frequent event depending on how much you ride. Also, you will have to check--I would say as often as greasing--to make sure the cleat screws are snug.

kwrides

I switched from Keo's to Light Action because I got sick of missing clip-in's.

I see you're in the UK. Do you have problems with mud?

The Light Action are very easy to clip in/out of, but need to be maintained. They like lube, and they DO NOT like grime. I stopped to help a guy with a flat last week, and didn't think to put my coffee covers on...I spent the rest of the ride forcing clip in's and fighting to clip out.

If you like unlimited float, the LA's are fine, but if you want to be able to set limits on the float, buy one of the other models.

Also, some people don't like Speedplay because they can feel the pedal through the sole of their shoe. I wear very stiff soles and don't have this problem.

SpinDr

Thanks for the advice.

Yup, just for kicks at the moment. Well I'm thinking when I switch to the winter bike, I'll move the Keos across and then I thought about what I might replace them with when I get the Felt back out for the more clement seasons... Speedplay caught my eye.

Do the red cleats offer more float than the standard grey ones?

Yes I have read about mud causing problems... depending on just how sensitive they are I may not have problems as they would be on my summer ride and wouldn't see a grimey road unless I got caught out by the typical British weather!

Thanks.

Ben

kimconyc

kwrides also mentioned something important.

The Speedplays do need to be somewhat taken care of. If you are walking around and riding around in the mud without regular cleaning, you might not like Speedplays.

kimconyc

I don't think color has anything to do with float. The titanium X1 offers the most float I believe.

Personally, I wouldn't switch if it was just for kicks but that's me...

SpinDr

Sorry, I meant the colour of the Look cleats... does red offer more float than standard grey?

Thanks

Ben

kwrides

Stolen from Competitive Cyclist:

"The Keo cleats are available in two options: One is the "Red" cleat that allows for 9 degrees of rotational float. The other is the "Grey" cleat that allows for 4.5 degrees of rotational float."

SpinDr

Thanks for doing my research!

patentcad

On Keos, red cleats are 9º of float, gray cleats 4.5º, black cleats 0 float.

Namenda

I went from Keo's to Speedplay X-5. Very pleased. The maintenance that has been mentioned is really not a big deal. You don't need a grease gun to lube them. I use a plastic syringe, with the needle removed. Does the same thing. Mounting the cleats is easy, despite the fact that some would have you think it is akin to designing a lunar module. Follow the directions, and it takes all of a couple of minutes. Check the screws every so often. Mine have never loosened on their own. Spray the cleat springs with a dry lube occasionally, and they will work great.

scirocco

Or just buy any of the other brands, and don't do any of these things.

Steev

This would mean owning two sets of shoes or swapping cleats twice a year. I think that a sufficient PITA to nix the idea.

kwrides

I have Speedplay on my best bike with a pair of very stiff soled shoes. I have SPD on my rain bike with a pair of old MTB shoes. This gives me a setup that works in every situation.

bobthib

I have speedplay la's and I love them. They are so easy to clip in, and I've never had any knee or anlke problem.

On club rides I make sure I'm near the front of the pack at red lights because I learned early on it's dangerous accelerating though a pack of riders all looking down trying to get clipped in to their pedals

The maintenance is no big deal. I got a plastic syringe as mentioned above, and use a spray dry lube every few weeks on the cleats. My shoes have a stiff carbon sole, and I got the cafe covers but I seldom use them.

I'm going to get another pair for my son. I've never spoken to someone with them that didn't like them. I'm sure there are some people that don't like them for some reason, but then to each his own.

SeaBee

If you're buying Speedplay's just for kick and don't care about the maintainance, fine. Like PCAD said, you get the Look cleats with more float.

If you're buying it to address knee problems, as I have contemplated on doing - DON'T! Fortunately I spoke to the right people before doing it and got the very responce that it was like "putting springs under a badly tuned engine", which I thought to be a good analagy. If you want the float to get around a knee problem, get a decent setup done and it will solve much more problems. The Speedplays will just hide the problem(s) in your setup and most likely it will only be a temporary solution.

Got my setup sorted - my knee issues disappeared, my overall comfort increased and my times decreased.

Just my 2c...

Steve90068

i wouldnt trade my speedplays for anything. they are light, easy to clip in/out. Ive never clipped out on accident. and they look like lollypops

SpinDr

Could you please explain what you mean? I do have a trick left knee (football/soccer), which I am conscious to look after.

Ben

ElJamoquio

Indeed; and I've never had a grime problem.

mr handy

I have used both speedplay x5's and look keo's.
Right now I Like the Keo's better.
I learned on the X5's and grew tired of the unlimited float, and there was always something that felt unstable about the speedplays. The Koe's feel more solid under my feet, and I think that is worth a slightly more difficult clip in.

If you want to try more float I would first try the red keo cleats. If you just want to try something new, go for it, and sell the pedals you like the least on eBay.

Psimet2001 

I have been a heavy speedplay advocate on here for years. I still stand by that. I will hopefully end up a Speedplay distributor soon. We're looking into it.

Carbon Unit

I started on SPD-L but hated clipping in and out of them. So, I switched to Speedplay LA three years ago. I love my Speedplay and will never use anything else. In three years I have never accidently unclipped. I have never fallen either and have never had a problem with grim. I have very stiff shoes so I do not feel the pedal.

The best thing about my LAs is that I just step down and I hear a click. If I miss for some reason, I just start pedaling and clip in after I am moving.

Psimet2001 

Also....when it comes to pedals....everyone is different. Take what people say with a grain of salt. There are 3 contact points between rider and bicycle - sort of the holy velo trinity. Butt, Bars, and Bindings. Because this is where the human body - physically un symetrical and highly differentiated amonst each other - meets a highly symetrical "machine" these areas are highly prone to mass customization to meet individual needs.

With this in mind someone saying "use this pedal system because it works great for me" is just as silly as saying "use these bars" or "use these gloves" or "use this saddle". Sure the people designing these items are trying to fit as much of the mass of humanity as possible and many are adaptable enough to work for a large portion of riders....but there is and will never be a silver bullet or single solution for:

Saddle, bars, gloves, shorts, shoes, and PEDALS. Your results may vary.

Nachoman

I have three sets of speedplay X series. I ride the chromolly, steel and titanium. I can't tell the difference.