i want to know the difference between the speedplay x and the speedplay zeros. the X's have "free float" whereas the zeros have 15 degrees. what exactly is float? is it the amount of movement that's allowed before disengaging? how is it that the X's have free float? does that mean it has no float or infinite float or does it just mean it has A LOT of float? i never quite understood float. i currently have the X5s and i want to get the zeros but i would like to know if the zeros will be harder for me to get out of.

The zeros have adjustable float from none to their max. I have them and they are not difficult at all to get out of but I've never tried any of the X series so I can't compare them.

Lot of questions...float is the amount that the pedal will allow the cleat to rotate before beginning disengagment. Fixed = 0 or no float. Speedplay X are actually something like 22 degrees of float. Zeros have adjustment screws on the cleat that can adjust the float infitely between it's 2 extremes - fixed (0) and full float (15 degrees).

The Zeros also have some design features in the cleat that are considered improvements over their previous (X series) design.

Will the "zeros will be harder for me to get out of?" No.

will they be easier to get out of or will it be the same? and by no float you mean any slight twist will unclip? so, the Xs would be better for ppl who have lots of movement in their pedaling where as the zeros would be better for ppl with less twisting movements? any knee pains with the zeros?

A primary reason you may want more or less float is, the condition of your knees.

Float allows you to rotate/pivot your foot in the cleat while pedaling. If your knees are sensitive to twisting motion you'd set your zero pedals to max float. X1's already allow max float and are not adjustible.

I ride the x1's. Rarely is the float a detraction, but I can say with about 4000 miles on the x1s I've never had any knee problems.

Float does not make a noticible difference to me related to unclipping.

..rickko..

I saw the red CSC Speedplay Zeros at a bike store in Houston on Saturday. I was amazed at how small the pedal head was. From the pics on the speedplay.com, I had thought they were much larger.

They will be the same to get out of.

?? Float refers to the lateral twist that occurs before the pedals diengagement begins. During the pedal's diengagement the cleat will continue to rotate. In the X example the rotation considered float occurs until you hit the soft stop...if you twist further you start to disengage the springs on the cleat. Fixed or no float with other pedals means that all rotation is acting towards disengagement of the cleat.

Both the X and Zeros have a lot of float built in. It is one of their largest selling features. Both or great for anyone who needs float. I am not aware of the small difference in float between the two causing any issues with users.

I am sure that there are people that have knee pains even when using the Zero pedals, but I believe that you would be hard pressed to find someone with knee problems on Zeros where the pedal was the cause. Not impossible, but very rare. There are many other fit issues that can cause knee pain that have nothing to do with pedals, but are commonly confused as caused by the pedals.

Bottom line: If you are worried about knee pain, have not had any with the X series then you probably will not have any with the Zeros either. Whats more there are some cleat improvements to the design of the Zeros that may make you overall experience with the pedals better.

My wife and I have many thousands of miles on the X-1's. I have absolutely no negative comments to make about them. They are the lightest Speedplay and have the shortest spindle for less Q factor. We have not tried the Zeros but I see no advantage in the Zeros for us. I can see that they could be good for people with longer feet that may have problems with their heels hitting the chain stays. This could be adjusted out with the Zeros.
BTW, to release it is not necessary to rotate out to a release point. All you need to do is roll your foot over.

Al

I've got X5's and love them.