NateDieselF4i

So I really like the look and idea of the Speedplay pedals. Especially like the apparent ease of entry and cleat shape.

I've only used SPD-SL's in the past.

I would go with the 2013 Speedpay zero chromoly at $125 I imagine. They would be compatible with my existing Shimano shoes.

So just looking for thoughts - pros / cons. Experiences?

I am a riding enthusiast (no serious racing at this time).

Thanks guys

youcoming

I'm pigeon toed and knock knee'd and had fits getting any other cleats set up, speed plays fixed everything. I can ride along with my toes pointed in, and no issues with knee pain.

lazerzxr

Excellent excellent pedals. Dont listen to those that complain about getting grit in them, after they are run in my experience is they work great, dont creak or grind no matter how dirty and are highly adjustable along with being double sided. Buy them, you wont regret it

vesteroid

I like mine

abstractform20

i dont think i will ever use another pedal system, and have no want to.

the options for cleat placement are amazing; the cleat base extender plate helped get rid of a constantly occuring hotspot and numbness issue (granted, cleat location per shoe also affects such issues).

cant wait to get speedplay-specific shoes one day. the ridiculously low stack height is amazing.

StanSeven

Maybe you should try not drinking to excess before posting

oldbobcat

Very well made, maintainable, dual-sided entry (took me a while to appreciate this one), and customizable with extended cleat adapters and optional spindles. I like the Zero especially, because it allows me to limit float and then micro-adjust cleat angle without essentially removing the cleat. The drawback are: some people never get the hang of clipping into them, the pedal platform feels small, and the cleats are expensive and heavy. In response, I say, patience and persistence, they seem to feel better with stiff-soled shoes, and it's better to replace a $40 worn out cleat than a $200 worn out pedal.

Carbon Unit

I switched from SPD-SLs to Speedplays first using Light Actions and now Zeros. I like them and will never switch to any other pedal system.

TrojanHorse

Pedaling on ice cubes is the life, baby, the life!

Love 'em. Had Xs for years and now LAs.

Psimet2001 

I used them for years and frequently endorsed their use. I definitely had issues that were not solvable until I used them....then I decided that I had a leg length discrepancy and was going to solve it once and for all. the idea of having to pull the cleats for Speedplay multiple times in order to get the shimming correct over time was just something I couldn't stomach so I went to SPDSLs (I used to use Time and Look models through the 80's and 90's. Switched to Speedplay in the early 00's) then went to an actual good fitter. She made minor changes, ditched all the shims and I have never been more comfortable on the bike...after doing this for decades.

FWIW - she's a speedplay dealer too....

So - Speedplay is a great system. Good pedals. Don't buy the Chromo - get the Stainless versions at a minimum. They have an additional bearing instead of a bushing and the chromo spindles will turn to rusticles over time. Speedplay cleats can be set up effectively and can be durable. The people that have problems with them just never seem to get the original installation correct. They're not for everyone.

That all said - I am currently plenty happy to be back on a look style cleat system (SPD-SL) and will not be going back to speedplay anytime soon. So much so I sold all of my pedal bodies and cleats.

lazerzxr

???

I dont get it?

I realise some complain about grinding and grit in the cleats when these pedals are mentioned, when mine were brand new I found they did grind a little when dirty. However, after using them a while I have happily walked across gravel and dirt and not noticed any problems at all. I think they just need to wear a little. Even with brand new cleats dirt doesnt effect me any more. Just stick with them.

Also the low stack height allows you to remove some spacers (if you use them) from under the stem as you can run a slightly lower seat. Cant be bad as a lot of people seem to use big stacks of spacers these days

Trek760

I switched to Speedplay Zeros from Look Carbons this year. I love them...

stdu007

first year with the sp zero ... i'l like them for the way you can service them, the way you can play with float and angle cleats ...

Fox Farm

I have been using X2 stainless for 13 years now. One advise is to get the rubber cleat covers to prolong the life of the cleats.

stdu007

agree with that ...

jotaeh

Switched from Look Keo carbons to Speedplay Zero last summer. I switched because I was buying 4-5 sets of the plastic Keo cleats a year for each of my pairs of shoes. I weigh about 185 and don't even walk that much on my cleats. It was getting expensive. So far, in 5 months, I haven't had to replace the Speedplay cleats on either of my shoes.

For the first couple of weeks I found clipping in difficult; the cleats seemed tight. My son had the same problem, and because he's so light, he had even more trouble clipping in.

However, after a couple of weeks of clipping and and out, I suppose that they "break-in" and clipping-in can't be any easier, even with new cleats. The best part, particularly if you ride in a city with many stop lights is the two-sided feature. I'm off and riding while my riding partners are still trying to flip their Looks or whatever else they use right side up. Looking down at your pedals becomes a thing of the past. Heck! You'll even start stopping at stop signs!

Get the cafe covers; besides making the cleats last longer... Although some riders say that dirt and grit don't affect them, my experience has been that dirt and grit prevents me from clipping out, making coming to a stop a bit disconcerting. Most of my riding buddies have had similar experiences after walking on the dry sandy dirt common here in San Diego.

There is some anecdotal evidence that Speedplay is a difficult company to deal with when you have an issue. I have not had to contact them for any reason. I raised the question with my LBS when I bought the cleats. They hadn't heard of any issues with Speedplay, but they also said that if I had any issues, that I should go through them. Parts, bearings etc. seem easy to get, even on eBay.

They do require a bit more maintenance; I use a little grease gun that I bought at Harbor Freight Tools for a fraction of what Speedplay charges. You just remove the little screw and shoot grease in until the clean stuff comes out on the other side and you're done. I also spray the cleats with a light coating of dry Teflon lubricant once in a while.

Drawbacks: There is such a huge range of adjustability; like a giant restaurant menu and you can't decide what you want.

On my Fizik shoes, the cleat holes are positioned in such a way that I get to the limits of the Zero's adjustability. on my Sidis, they're adjusted somewhere in the mid-range. So it's probably a good idea to bring your shoes to your LBS when you buy the pedals to make sure that they'll adjust OK. I suspect that the Fiziks are just a bit "odd" in where they drill the holes for the cleat screws.

Overall, I like 'em so much, I doubt I'd ever go back to a single sided pedal system.

NateDieselF4i

This is great stuff guys. Thanks for the opinions and experiences.

Ive been leaning towards going with the Zerp Chromolys and then spindles from these guys
https://shop.titaniumspindles.com/main.sc

laserfj

Why?

NWS Alpine

I just ordered the spindles as well. You can get custom sized spindles that are as light or lighter than the nanograms. Also they will not rust like the chromoly. Also they are only $60 so why not.

NateDieselF4i

Yup. This.

ancker

I know they aren't the same, but I've had my SPD-SL cleats on for over a year and I'm just now considering replacement. And that only because my 'step down' side is getting worn. The non-step down side is still perfect. I walk in my cleats all the time. Not excessively, but I don't treat them like they're fragile.

baiskeli

Absolutely love them. I used to have knee issues (I was using Shimano SPD's I think).

Got the original Speedplays (X1), problem solved. I ended up getting Speed Zero's because the originals had just a tad too much float (unlimited). I've been very happy with the Zeros. I was hoping to get the Sidi compatible shoes so I could do away with the adapter plate and get a lower stack height but they only carry those ones in full sizes and I am a 44.5. I currently use them with Specialized shoes (they have carbon soles) and the combination is super stiff yet super comfortable.

Definitely get the stainless steel, it's the sweet spot for cost/weight.

WorldIRC

And here I am moving away from Speedplay back to SPD-SL!

Carbon Unit

What happened? They didn't work for you?

WorldIRC

I've been using SPD, Egg Beaters, and SPD-SL for years -- they all essentially use the same method of clipping in and out. I tried for a couple months and just can't get used to the Speedplays.