I am looking for some new pedals with some float capability. I’m having a lot of difficulty with my positioning having recently replaced my Look cleats and it’s driving me crazy/hurting my knees. I am considering Speedplay Zeros and wondering if there are any opinions out there and then more specifically, how much difference is there between the Stainless Steel version and Chrome-Moly version besides 4g and $40??
they’re different colors. Blue (stainless) vs. Black (Chromoly)
I’m really duck footed, and had lots of problems with look pedals hurting my feet. Switched to speedplay, and now no more pain! No knee “soreness” the next day either. Speedplay will fix your problem…it that is the cause of the pain.
I can’t remember the other pedals I looked at when I was buying a year or so ago, but speedplay zeros had the best float of the two or three I was looking at. No difference in float between the models, just color and build materials.
-bcreager
Speedplay is the ticket for knee relief. I’ve got chrome-molly on both road and areo bikes. Upgrading to a better material (I think they’ve even got one better than stainless) is something I’ll wait to do when I get better.
Good Luck
Have you had any issues with the chrome-moly?? I suspect there is some ‘durability’ advantage to the stainless steel, but i can’t image the performance difference could really be anything except for the 4g in weight. They do have a Titanium but Speedplay suggests a weight limit of 185lbs and as I’m constantly pushing the 180 level i figure it’s not worth testing.
Speedplay new slogan - “The best pedal for bad knees and the worst pedal for good knees!” ;o)
FWIW - I have Zeros on each of my road bikes…did a total swap after using Look Cx-6 (float) last year and the X2 in prior years. I have the Zero float maxed out, mostly to the outside (as you can slighty change the angle on the shoe).
If I were to do it all over again, I would have just went back to the X2. The cleats on the Zeros are more finicky and simply “feel” better on the X2. Too late the change now.
Get the Stainless…
Got Speedplay’s three weeks ago and I love them. I have had multiple knee surgeries and the bike has always been a source of knee pain. I can’t say that the new pedals got rid of all the pain, but at least 90% reduction. I really love them. Another interesting thing, with all that float I get to see how bad my pedal sroke really is and now I can work on improving it! I got the stainless. The LBS said the weight is the only real difference and at my current speeds, 4g isn’t worth $40.
One quick point. I think Speedplay has some better warranty on the Ti pedals. This is what I have heard at least. I think they repair it if you pay for shipping for something like that. I was wondering if anyone else could elucidate this.
No issues so far with mine, and I’ve had them for about 18 months. Not a ton of miles, 100 a week in good weeks, and had a few crashes/bike drops/wall pedal banshing just to mix it up a bit. Not a single problem so far…with the pedals.
Now the cleats, like stated before, they are a little funky. Have to get them dialed it just right, which normally means leaving the screws less tight then on most cleats. Scared me a bit, so I torqued them down…bad idea, they are virtually impossible to get into that way. Loosened them up, and no problems now.
They take a little while to break in, and can be a pain to get into some times if your aren’t lined up just right, but once they are dialed in, they are golden!
-bcreager
Go for the stainless. Reasons: longevity, finish (they just look a lot nicer!).
Zero vs. X - adjustable float on the Zeros, and virtually zero-tension release and engagement, which also should have an advantage for aching knees.
Speedplay new slogan - “The best pedal for bad knees and the worst pedal for good knees!” ;o)
How about some expansion on that “worst pedal for good knees” part? I just put some X1s (I’ve had them sittin gin a box for 6 years, and a broken foot caused a purchase of new shoes that allowed the use of these pedals) on my ride, and though at this point I’ve only done two SHORT spins on the trainer (foot isn’t doing well yet), I haven’t even NOTICED the float. I know it’s there… I’ve never had any knee problems with riding (though I have in the distant past with running). So why would they be so bad for good knees?
It’s just something roadies throw around. The reasoning that excessive laterally movement puts strain on your knees…and that you should be properly fitted in the 1st place.
I don’t buy it though…I really like my Speedplay, just should have stuck with the X.
One quick point. I think Speedplay has some better warranty on the Ti pedals. This is what I have heard at least. I think they repair it if you pay for shipping for something like that. I was wondering if anyone else could elucidate this.
That hasn’t been my experience.
Go stainless…stronger and won’t rust. I have x-2’s on both bikes (road/tri) and am happy with them. Cleats last a long time vs Look as well.