I’m a big fan of pedal systems and I’ve thought the RXS is the nicest for a while. In this review I did my best to explain the weaknesses and strenghs of the system.
Take a look if you’re so inclined. Feedback and comments always appreciated:
you don’t like speedplays, do you? 
Oh, actually I do…
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/speed0.shtml
If you read what I write in the RXS review I say it is time for Speedplay to do an update to their cleat system.
Maybe they will this year…
Tom,
Do you know where there is a manual for this cleat system? I am having a few knee issues and think I need to make a few tweaks to my RXS.
Tom,
Great review, and great website! I run Time RXS Carbon on my Plasma and am probably going to put them on my Time road bike as well (currently running speedplay). One thing to mention is the way that the spendal is attached to the platform. The platform actually screws in to an outer “nut” that is attached to the spindle of the pedal and holds the bearing. So esssentially the platfrom of the pedal and the spindle are separate pieces. The reason why I note this is for maintenance reasons. They need to be checked periodically for loosening. The other reason I know is because mine came apart at mile 20 of the Camp Pendleton International Triathlon in July. I didn’t realize what had happened until i got back to transition and was able to look at it closer. Basically, something had bound up the spindle and it wasn’t spinning with each rotation and the platform just screwed itself off. I had the platform on the bottom of my shoe and the spindle still attached to the crank arm. Bugger of a day, but I fixed them, and rode one of my fasted splits at a sprint this month on the same pedal! I just wanted to add that to your review. Great job.
tom, i did read your RXS review. i just have never run into any of the issues that you mention. and more importantly, i have a totally different perspective than you on speedplay X2’s, of which you write:
“I hated them! They did not work for me. The original X-2 design had too much float for my taste. I felt unstable on these pedals while sprinting and climbing. The pedals felt as though I was standing on an ice cube. My footing wasn’t secure. While I never accidentally released from the pedals, it felt like I would. It seemed like a novel idea, but I just didn’t like them. I went back to Look pedals. That was 1990.”
On the contrary, I love, and continue to love the “free float” of the X2s.
Yes, a speedplay cleat that can “natively” use a 3 bolt shoe pattern would be nice.
I did a search for a PDF version of the manual and came up empty handed. If you phone Time Sport USA at 877.727.7661 they may be able to provide one.
Tom…thanks for the write-up. i have been researching pedals as of late and this really helped. One thing, will the Time cleats go on my Shimano TR02 shoes?
We’ve done quite a number of Time RXS cleat installations on Shimano TR-02’s across the entire size range. They work quite well together.
That review was HUGE! I consider myself a total stickler to details. I even read the little pamphlet that accompanies the cleats. But somehow I totally missed that you can change Q factor by which cleat is on which shoe. The only problem is, I don’t know which way I set it first!
It’s worth checking out, and the instructions and the cleats are labelled with which configuration induces which “Q” factor.
I also like them, I have the carbon model on two bikes but sometimes its difficult to clip-out. The new Look Keo line clips in-and-out a bit smoother.
Dave in VA
Tom,
Do you know where there is a manual for this cleat system? I am having a few knee issues and think I need to make a few tweaks to my RXS.
I could scan it for you…what are you trying to “tweak”? There is only one thing on the pedal (tension), the other “adjustments” are the dot on the cleat to indicate “Q Factor” and the placement of the cleat itself. So, if your knees hurt you need to adjust your cleats.
Also Tom, I seem to walk better on them in the coffee shop…just as advertised.
Dave in VA
Tom,
Have you seen any broken RXS pedals yet?
I got two in last week. Both pedals exploded when the rider clipped them in a corner, and since the cornering clearance isn’t all that great I’m concerned, and not currently recommending the product to crit riders as a result.
Anyone else seen this?
.
When you mean “Q factor” I assumme you mean the tilt adjustment on the cleat that indicates -5 to +5 noted on the cleat portion itself?
I am getting pain alongside my knee and near the patella after 35+ miles now. I recently switched from Time CXPro (yellow/red) shoes to the Specialized Carbon Pro and started noticing the pain. Not sure if its the shoes, cleat position, or combo.
Need to mix it up though to resolve it as I have never had this issue before
I saw a pedal that broke - supposedly from hitting the ground in a corner (then a crash)…not sure if Time replaced it. The old Time pedals wouldnt break (and in the hand weigh the same, not on the gram scale I am sure though).
I’ve got a pair - cracked toe peice - on the top side. Don’t ever recall hitting them on a corner.
Now worst part is - that pedal does not stay threaded into that metal collar, and if I don’t keep and eye on it, will comepletly thread itself off.
Not really sure what to do about those guys.
Well, I’m seeing more mention of broken pedals here i this thread than I ever have. As a matter of fact, these instances are the first I’ve heard of the pedal body cracking or breaking. I suppose I could see how this would happen, but I would also suppose it takes some force to do it, typically the force associated with an impact such as a crash.
Well, when I refer to “Q” factor I am refering to the distance fro the left pedal to the right pedal. sometimes crank manufacturers refer to the width of their crank and bottom bracket combination as “Q” factor also. I hope I’m not taking too much license with this vernacular by using it this way.