Just curious of peoples opinions on the different style of pedals out there. Currently I’m running a pair of Shimano mtb pedals on my tri bike since I like them and they are the same as what I have on my mountain bike (I only have one pair of shoes currently - so the same pedals on btoh bikes works for me). I’m looking to getting new shoes strictly for tri/road riding so I’ve been thinking of swapping out the pedals for something new. Is there a definite advantage to a traditional road pedal vs speedplays vs an spd pedal? I like the dual sided spd and the fact that it mimics what I need to do to clip in and out on my MTB (clipping out action is unconscious now) but I’m not sure if I’m losing power due tot he smaller surface of the pedal and the potential twist I get in the shoe. Maybe a better set of shoes with a stiffer sole will solve that and the pedal doesn’t make a difference. Any thoughts?
Pedals preferences are highly individual, but you asked…
I love my Speedplays. They’re easy on the knees and double sided. I don’t feel that the platform is too small and I’ve never had the cleats jam. They’re also chick magnets. I always score with Speedplays.
Despite Speedplay’s highly effective marketing campaign to assert that their pedals have the same or larger platform than Look, Time and Shimano they do not.
The “cleat radius” or distance fro the front end engagement point of the cleat/pedal interface to the rear point of the cleat/pedal interface is very short on Speedplay: Only 5.4cm for Speedplay “X” and Zero series and fully 7cm for Time RXS.
To me, that means the Speedplays are at their best with size 10 and below foot sizes, and that is probably most people.
For people with a foot large than about size 10 I would suggest something like Time RXS with its longer cleat radius and attendant larer platform. the Time RXS is the great unsung hero of the pedal world, and I would suggest it is the nicest pedal system available now: Very low distance from pedal axle to foot (dependant partially on shoe choice of course), centered rotational movement, adjustable “Q” factor and lightweight.
Hey Tom,
Someone actually gave me my speedplays via TSR and I absolutely love them. I couldn’t have succumbed to their marketing, since I had never used a pedal before hand. 
Also, I am size 12-13 shoe and it feels fine for me. I also like the fact my knees to seem like they are bound tight and allow me to move freely.
Course, again, I’m a BOP dude (for now, look out you MOP’s!) so, what do I know?
Seriously, I love the speedplays, but could like any pedal system probably if it allows you to get in on both sides. The looks always looked scary to me.
Trae
Speedplays are very nice. One thing about using Speedplays though- you doe want to be sure you have the best shoe soles you can get.
“Cleat radius” How is that meaningful?
What would you expect to happen when used on larger shoes?
Pedals preferences are highly individual, but you asked…
I love my Speedplays. They’re easy on the knees and double sided. I don’t feel that the platform is too small and I’ve never had the cleats jam. They’re also chick magnets. I always score with Speedplays.
Agreed - Very individual on what kind of “feel” you are looking for.
I tried Speedplay and did not like the platform (How my foot felt against the pedal)
I ride Look - I like the solid feel under my foot - they sprint great and when I climb they feel great too. (I road race as well and tri)
As for being chick magnets – no way!! When I had speedplays it was a total dry spell – but when I switch to look – Now those were a chick magnet (of course she was a Look sales rep…)
“Speedplays are very nice. One thing about using Speedplays though- you doe want to be sure you have the best shoe soles you can get.”
Tom,
I would love your insight on cycling shoes. I have used speedplays w/ Carnacs for years. Thanks in advance for your input.
Hey Tom, what did you mean about having the best shoe soles you can get? Not sure what that means.
Also, how often should I replace the cleats or whatever they are called at the bottom that clip into the pedals?
Trae
I think he means get stiff soled shoes. Carbon soles work nice and distribute the load througout your foot. I use Speedplay X on both tri and road and like them. I like them even more since I bought some nice carbon soled shoes.
Ahhh, thanks TriMike…
How long typically do a pair of shoes last you? My Sidi tri shoes seem like they are getting quite nasty. Heh, I probably need to clean them too. When they wear out, I’ll go for the carbon soles next time for stiffness. Makes sense.
Trae
My Sidis are three years old and going strong. If they’re not falling apart, you can replace the heel when worn. The loops on the heels will probably go first, but I don’t really use them, so not a problem there.
Tx HS.
What’s the best method of cleaning your nasty tri-cycling shoes?
Trae
PS. Sorry I missed you at IMFL. Would have been nice to meet you. I’m doing TGF in Oct 2006, and IMCDA in 2007
Tom or anyone:
You say “cleat-to-pedal” height or “distance from pedal axle to foot” and that minimizing this distance is a good thing.
My question is - on a MTB shoe, the cleat is “embedded” in the sole, whereas on a road shoe, the cleat is external to the sole. So, it seems like a MTB shoe will always get you closer to the pedal axle.
So, how would that pertain to performance, and why don’t road shoes “embed” the cleat? It would also last a lot longer as well.
I just pull the insert out, hose it all down and get the salt and sand out of them and then, if necessary, use a little Simple Green and a sponge, rinse again, relube the Speedplay spring plate and air dry. In the sprint races I do, there’s no time to clean the feet. I leave the shoes in the pedals and slip my feet in while riding. Most of the time there isn’t much on my feet, but some races have short transitions and I do get a bit of sand. It usually finds its way underneath the insert and they’re relatively short rides, anyway. I can stand the discomfort for that duration.
Yeah, sorry we didn’t connect. I haven’t figured my schedule yet. I’m torn between making an honest effort to go to AG Nationals and then Worlds in Switzerland or pushing towads another IM.
IMFL capped off the best season I’ve had yet. I’m very happy.
Is there a definite advantage to a traditional road pedal vs speedplays vs an spd pedal?
Ok, Everything has a purpose.
1)Shimano spd pedals and cleats; dual entry system, tension adjustment, and based on pedal you can choose a ‘lighter pedal’ ; However, comparing it in weight to road /tri pedals there are ‘heavy’ in weight.
- Traditional road pedal?? what’s that? You have Look pedals, and there are at least 3 pedals available; again you have choices among the 3 of them which are a) weight of pedal b) tension adjustment c) flotation adjustment 3,6 ,9 degrees. Also 1 spindle and 2 bearing. As faras cleats you have the red and gray cleats; that both offered different riding features.
On another note you also have Shimano pedals and cleats, and I am not talking about spd’s mountain bike shoes. You have dura ace pedals abd cleats; weight, flotation and tension are the choices. in cycling weight is ultra important!
- Speedplay; offered you the most flotation among the pedals choices; this will facilitate and easy some knees issues particularly in long rides, it makes sense for riders that need the flotation to reduce some stress on their knees. The flotation is I believe 12 to 15 degrees. There is no tension adjustment , unless you squeeze the cleat’s screws. The flotation feature on Sppedlay is available in the entry level pedal, you don’t have to spend $200+ in a Look Pedal or Keo Pedal.
I hope this comparation helps you, you need to invest in some tri shoes , not riding shoes. There is a big difference.
Good Luck,
BIG O
I ride Speedplays (never ridden anything else though so take my opinions with a grain of salt). I’ve liked them, especially for the float. I originally got them b/c I had knee problems and was told the float would help. For the most part, that’s held true.
The only issue I have is that on long rides, I definitely feel a hotspot from the pedal. I’ve considered switching to a pedal with a bigger platform to see if that fixes things. But I was told by my LBS that a lot of people don’t like to ride Speedplay for Iron distance because of that small platform. He suggested a set of Shimano pedals (not sure which ones) which he said had just as much float as the Speedplays. I’m considering giving it a try…
laim,
Ahhh, those hot spots. I guess this is why someone suggested going with a carbon still soled shoe. I think that would probably distro the weight better and help eliminate that problem.
I’ve done around 10 rides of 90 miles or longer on the speedplay pedals and they’ve been great IMHO. I do have bad knees too, and while I didn’t know about things such as float, I guess that’s what has saved my knees from going out on me on the run.
anyhoo…
speedplay++
Trae
Is there a definite advantage to a traditional road pedal vs speedplays vs an spd pedal?
1)Shimano spd pedals and cleats; dual entry system, tension adjustment, and based on pedal you can choose a ‘lighter pedal’ ; However, comparing it in weight to road /tri pedals there are ‘heavy’ in weight.
- Traditional road pedal?? what’s that? You have Look pedals, and there are at least 3 pedals available; again you have choices among the 3 of them which are a) weight of pedal b) tension adjustment c) flotation adjustment 3,6 ,9 degrees. Also 1 spindle and 2 bearing. As faras cleats you have the red and gray cleats; that both offered different riding features.
Thanks for the advice. With respect to the weight comment, my mtb pedals weigh 371g for the pair…yes, heavier than most road/tri pedals but for me, the 100-200g savings won’t make much of a difference as I am still carrying too much on my body…no sense trimming grams on the bike when I can still afford to lose pounds on the body. When I said traditional road pedal…I was just referring to the single sided entry, more platform based pedal. I know that there are lots of options, but when I look at pedals, that type of pedal is very different than speedplays and very different from spd’s, so I tend to group them together. Thanks again…I’m definitely investing in some tri shoes, should make for an interesting change.