SPD-SL or Speedplay
10-07-11 | 09:10 PM
#34
Still kicking.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 47
From: Annandale, New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.
I've used both Spd-sl's and Speedplay Zeros.
Pros of SPD-SL: Comfortable feel, tough as nails, get a good pedal @ a great price point, no adapter plate needed for cleat. Cleat is lightweight.
Cons of SPD-SL: Weight, slight chance at an accidental pull out, which isn't too often, one sided.
Pros of Speedplay Zeros: Light, minimal size, hard to pull out of, but can be done, really adjustable.
Cons of Speedplay Zeros: Expensive, cleats are $40(expensive for a cleat), that stupid adapter plate, uses a phillips head screwdriver for every adjustment, the metal used on the screws is fairly soft and if one screw strips, you have to cut the cleat off with a hacksaw, high up keep, have to have a bottle of dry lube on hand just for the cleats, extremely easy to slip and fall if you have to put a foot down or walk, I've slipped and fell on damp surfaces 3 times when I ran speedplays.
Pros of SPD-SL: Comfortable feel, tough as nails, get a good pedal @ a great price point, no adapter plate needed for cleat. Cleat is lightweight.
Cons of SPD-SL: Weight, slight chance at an accidental pull out, which isn't too often, one sided.
Pros of Speedplay Zeros: Light, minimal size, hard to pull out of, but can be done, really adjustable.
Cons of Speedplay Zeros: Expensive, cleats are $40(expensive for a cleat), that stupid adapter plate, uses a phillips head screwdriver for every adjustment, the metal used on the screws is fairly soft and if one screw strips, you have to cut the cleat off with a hacksaw, high up keep, have to have a bottle of dry lube on hand just for the cleats, extremely easy to slip and fall if you have to put a foot down or walk, I've slipped and fell on damp surfaces 3 times when I ran speedplays.
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Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
10-07-11 | 10:41 PM
#35
Elitist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 94
From: Atlanta, GA
I've used both Spd-sl's and Speedplay Zeros.
Pros of SPD-SL: Comfortable feel, tough as nails, get a good pedal @ a great price point, no adapter plate needed for cleat. Cleat is lightweight.
Cons of SPD-SL: Weight, slight chance at an accidental pull out, which isn't too often, one sided.
Pros of Speedplay Zeros: Light, minimal size, hard to pull out of, but can be done, really adjustable.
Cons of Speedplay Zeros: Expensive, cleats are $40(expensive for a cleat), that stupid adapter plate, uses a phillips head screwdriver for every adjustment, the metal used on the screws is fairly soft and if one screw strips, you have to cut the cleat off with a hacksaw, high up keep, have to have a bottle of dry lube on hand just for the cleats, extremely easy to slip and fall if you have to put a foot down or walk, I've slipped and fell on damp surfaces 3 times when I ran speedplays.
Pros of SPD-SL: Comfortable feel, tough as nails, get a good pedal @ a great price point, no adapter plate needed for cleat. Cleat is lightweight.
Cons of SPD-SL: Weight, slight chance at an accidental pull out, which isn't too often, one sided.
Pros of Speedplay Zeros: Light, minimal size, hard to pull out of, but can be done, really adjustable.
Cons of Speedplay Zeros: Expensive, cleats are $40(expensive for a cleat), that stupid adapter plate, uses a phillips head screwdriver for every adjustment, the metal used on the screws is fairly soft and if one screw strips, you have to cut the cleat off with a hacksaw, high up keep, have to have a bottle of dry lube on hand just for the cleats, extremely easy to slip and fall if you have to put a foot down or walk, I've slipped and fell on damp surfaces 3 times when I ran speedplays.
Also, you will never, ever find Speedplay Zeros on sale and they are rarely on craigslist.
Shimano is a better value and have offerings from $40 - $400...that all use the same cleat. The differences are in weight and bearings. Also, the pedal body's are on a hand-me-down system. Yester-year's Dura Ace is this year's Ultegra. Yester-year's Ultegra is this year's 105, etc... The $40 SPD-SLs on sale now are the same pedal body designed for Lance Armstrong in 2004 or 2005. It was called the "Lance Pedal".
https://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/...ws/lance_pedal
10-07-11 | 10:57 PM
#36
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
Someone offered me Speedplays with 200 miles on them for $50... that's the only reason I asked.
This is why I am leaning towards Shimano.
I've already heard good things about the R540 on this forum, and other online reviews back it up.
I've already heard good things about the R540 on this forum, and other online reviews back it up.
10-08-11 | 01:35 AM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
Which model Speedplays? Do they include cleats? If not, add another $40 to the price.
I use Speedplays on my road bike, but don't think I'd use them on my fixed gear. I don't know why - they just don't seem like they'd go together.
I use Speedplays on my road bike, but don't think I'd use them on my fixed gear. I don't know why - they just don't seem like they'd go together.
10-08-11 | 08:20 AM
#38
Thread Starter
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
Yea, they'd include cleats.
Pretty set on the R540's, though someone scooped up the sub-$40 ones on eBay. FUUUUUUU.
Pretty set on the R540's, though someone scooped up the sub-$40 ones on eBay. FUUUUUUU.
