Based on some feedback here, I got the lady some speedplay light actions for her first clipless setup.

I liked the idea of "extra" light pedals but they aren't kidding when they say "light action". I don't expect her to be doing what I'm doing on the pedals but I am a little worried about how light they are. It is super-dooper easy to pull out of those things.

She doesn't race, but it's not like she never gets out of the saddle. I envision her getting up to climb a big hill and then face planting on the stem as her foot wiggles out of the pedal.

I know there were a lot of people telling me to try these, but anyone have some real-world feedback?

My wife uses them, likes them. Chances are good that what you find to be "too light" she won't. But if she does find them too light, send them back and replace them with Zeros.

its pretty hard to clip out accidentally. You'd have to have a pretty weird pedal stroke to do that. I think she will be fine

I've raced with light actions, you can't unclip from them without really twisting your ankle, I never accidently unclipped with them. The only reason I went to Zeros was because the LBS was out of LA cleats, I would have no issues going back to LA cleats if they were out of Zero cleats. IMO there isn't that much a difference between the spring in LA and Zero pedals

I used the LA pedals for a long time. I never accidentally pulled out of them until the cleats were waaaaayyyy too far worn down. Seriously I should never have let the cleats get that bad.

It's really more about getting into them than out of them. The zeros take a lot of force to get into, so weaker and/or lighter riders often have trouble with that.

I used the L.A.s for about a year, never accidentally unclipped.

So the LA's aren't any more easy to unclip than regular Speedplays? I've never used them myself...

I have used the Light Action pedals since they were introduced three years ago and have never accidently unclipped with them, not even once. You have to twist out of them.

They're easier than Zeros but there isn't very much difference in unclipping tension

It's about accidentally unclipping, and they don't seem to be any easier in that respect. Intentionally unclipping is a bit easier that regular speedplay road pedals.

OTOH, I find that I can roll my foot off the pedal and unclip - as when in a crash. OTOH, my Frogs stay clipped in no matter what, unless my foot twists the correct way. Yet the Frogs are probably the easiest pedals to intentionally unclip that I've ever owned.

I have Light Actions on one bike and Zeros on another. Light Actions do clip in a bit easier - re clipping out, I think the LAs may be marginally easier but nothing significant. Both pedals are pretty easy to click out of.

V.

This is good. I'm use to SPD's so these things felt completely different. I was thinking of getting myself some SP's but now I'm thinking I'll just replace the worn shimanos I have.

I currently have Shimano's D-A SPD-SL, and I'm planning to replace them. I really like the dual sided entry of the Speedplay pedals.

It might be worth getting some Speedplays for yourself. That way when something goes wrong with the little lady's bike, you can hop on and check.

Also, Speedplays are actually road pedals. I don't think I could use that tiny cleat/pedal of SPDs for road riding.

SPD-SL...to be clear. I bought them used about 3 years ago.