Speedplay Light Action
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 14
From: Upstate NY
Bikes: CAAD 12, ROS 9+, and some others
Speedplay Light Action
Any thoughts on Speedplay "Light Action" pedals? I have an opportunity to pick some up on the cheap. Main difference from what I can see is they're "unrestricted float."
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,078
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From: SoCal
Bikes: Roubaix SL4 Expert , Cervelo S2
I bought some when I was trying to eliminate some nagging knee pain. I'm 175lbs. so I am not exactly the target demographic but I've never seen a reason to switch. I can just slap the cleat down on the pedal, in one motion, to clip in which is nice with all of the traffic lights around here. I've heard that despite what Speedplay says you can run zero cleats on light action pedals. I paid $50 used for mine w/ cleats which is one of the better deals I've gotten on cycling gear.
#6
Ghost Ryding 24/7
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 2
From: Canada/604
Bikes: Giant Defy with Dura Ace group, & Ksyrium SL's,Specialized Allez Shimano mixed/mashed,2011 Opus Sentiero,2008 Kona Jake the Snake,Custom built track/fixed,Stumpy Hartail,Kuwahara/ET bike.
This is the reason I still use SPD's, float.
I use the multi-release cleats that have 6° float.
Don't really care about the Fred points I get from this, my knees love me so much more since changing from Spd-SL's
Edit:
My neighbor who suffered a stroke has no feeling on his right side, & I was able to help train him use the same cleats.
I might give these Speedplays a try if my knees tell me to.
I use the multi-release cleats that have 6° float.
Don't really care about the Fred points I get from this, my knees love me so much more since changing from Spd-SL's
Edit:
My neighbor who suffered a stroke has no feeling on his right side, & I was able to help train him use the same cleats.
I might give these Speedplays a try if my knees tell me to.
Last edited by Ghost Ryder; 10-04-13 at 09:15 AM.
#7
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I've put about 2000 miles on Light Action pedals using Zero cleats so that I can adjust the float. No issues whatsoever. Not sure why Speedplay alleges that the combo won't work. Easier to get in and out of and I have cerebral palsy on my left side and can only wiggle my big toe so I really appreciate being able to get out without too much force. I've never popped out of them unintentionally while riding other than one time a groundhog ran into the road and straight into my front wheel so hard that my shoe unclipped. Might have happened with Zeros too though.
#8
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,281
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From: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 324
Likes: 3
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Bikes: Felt F2
Had knee pain, read some reviews, bought some light action Speedplays, crashed once getting them 'worn in', (came to a stop and I couldn't unclip), now I love them, but most importantly knee pain is completely gone. Easier in and out than my SPD SL's I was using. Probably will stick with them until they wear out/break.
If you do get them, I also highly recommend keeponkovers.com Don't know they exist, but make walking easier and protect your cleats as well. Absolutely love them.
If you do get them, I also highly recommend keeponkovers.com Don't know they exist, but make walking easier and protect your cleats as well. Absolutely love them.
#12
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,281
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From: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS
I have used X series and Light Action pedals, and both seem to take the same amount of effort to get in and out of. The only reasons I switched from X series speedplays was they were worn out, and I was given a pair of Light Actions.
#13
I think the X actually had more float! My cleats wore out and I just bought new light actions about 5,000 miles ago.
Look into keeponkovers.com if you end up getting them, they're fabulous for preserving your cleats and preventing wear as well as giving decent traction when you put your foot down.
I personally can't ride on cleats that only float 6 degrees... but that's me and my knee.
Look into keeponkovers.com if you end up getting them, they're fabulous for preserving your cleats and preventing wear as well as giving decent traction when you put your foot down.
I personally can't ride on cleats that only float 6 degrees... but that's me and my knee.
#14
Senior Member

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,103
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From: Wilmington, DE
Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)
I haven't measured myself but yellow bottomed SPD-SL cleats purportedly have 6° of float as well (Red are fixed). Regardless of the actual number of degrees, they work fine for me and I could honestly deal with even less float (I also have good knees though).
#15
Live to ride ride to live
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
I used LA from 2006 through 2012 then bought Zeros and gave the LA my wife. I had no problems with them at all. They are great pedals I was just having upgrade fever and my wife needed pedals.






