Has anyone got any experience of using Speedplay Zero pedals? I'm not entirely happy with Shimano SPD-SL pedals as getting in and out of them is quite a struggle, and I'm seriously thinking of replacing them with the Zero pedals. The basic model is £100 mind you, hence why I thought I'd ask for opinions before considering getting the wallet out.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Speedplay Zero pedals
(9 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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getting in and out of them is quite a struggle
Pardon the obvious, but you're able to adjust them from fairly loose to needing a real effort.
What are you experiencing?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Indeed, it should be possible to get in and out of your SPD-SLs quite easily. They aren't "ideal" for a lot of stop/start commuting, but aren't designed to be, something like a bog standard SPD would be better suited to that.
But for distance road riding, the SPD-SL should be just fine. Check the tension in the pedal spring (should be adjustable with allen key). Also check the cleats aren't pointed nose-out too much, as this prevents you getting enough ankle rotation in them to get a clean exit from the pedal.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It's mainly getting in them that is the trouble. My knees are quite wrecked from years of high level badminton and I can't twist outwards enough to get out of them, so I twist inwards to get out instead, and have the cleats attached to my shoes accordingly to make that possible. But getting clipped in is just a PITA, and I have many, many marks on my shins from repeatedly not managing to get the front of the SPD-SL cleat into the hole before trying to clip downwards, such that my foot slides off the pedal, dragging my shin down the back of it, and blood loss occurs.
The Zero pedals don't look like they would give me the same problem. Maybe I'm kidding myself.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I recognise your Shimano problem. I don't know about Speedplays but found that Look Keo were the answer.
Tollcross, Haymarket, never found clipping in a problem.
And disengagement inwards is easy - it protects my running knee.
Plus, Look is just so much cooler ...
Posted 11 years ago # -
Speedplays are not particularly easy to get in/out of in all honesty. I have a set and personally find them far more stiff than the Crank Brothers pedals on my other bikes. Maybe it's because of my familiarity with the latter but I still can find it a struggle with zeros in a way I don't with eggbeaters/quattros.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@remberbuck - ah, I previously thought look keo were identical to shimano spd-sl clears, but if not, I shall investigate them.
@stiltskin - ok, sounds like zeros are not the magical answer. Cheers.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Have a look at the Time iclic range too. They use a carbon spring which works the opposite way to a normal metal one. Instead of forcing against the spring's pressure to click in, the pedal is in the open position before you apply pressure. It therefore requires a lot less effort to click in and I find disengaging easier too, without compromising your foot's security on the pedal.
Don't be put off by the "plastic" composite body - I thankfully haven't crash-tested mine but they show no significant wear in the 2 1/2 years I've had mine.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Plus, Look is just so much cooler
I still have my Deltas. They are in late-90s yellow and nobody seems to make them in nice colours like that any more so I've never been tempted to replace.
Posted 11 years ago #
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