DO Speedplay pedals REALLY make THAT much of a difference…?? If so - please explain…Thanks!!
? Difference in what? Knee pain? It is a pedal (system)
Yeah, they definitely get you dual sided entry. Oh, and they save 15 W … 
I don’t get knee pain…butI hear about how they 'increase performance"…wondering if that is “in your head” or if there is proof…it’s a lot of $$ for pedals…
ive used them for 4 years and have no idea how they would increase performance… they are pedals you push down on them.
I tried then for two months then put my beloved Keo’s back on.
I’ve used them for 15yrs with no issues.
I am not inclined to execute a flying mount
but I would like to know if it is possible without
losing a shoe.
personally i love them, but i also jacked my hip up playing hockey and pedal VERY diff with my two legs and this gave me the easiest option to get both set up how i like them.
and they are not all wildly expensive.
I recently switched from Keo’s to a pair of Speedplays. I certainly think there is a difference with respect to feel. While subtle, there is a difference in stack height which can play a role in your overall fit (i.e. saddle height). So far, I do prefer the lower stack height and feel of the Speedplay.
i like the fact that they’re easier to clip into than SPD-SL (not that they’re particularly difficult)
it’s basically the combination of MTB pedals with the security of road pedals
.
I’ve had them for 15 years as well. Back then they were much lighter than the Look and Time pedals I had previously (now a lot of pedals are in the same weight range). They gained favor amongst triathletes, but ironically I think they are better crit pedals: quick entry and unbeatable cornering clearance (your shoe will hit before the pedal does). In a tri my shoes stay in the pedals, so entry is a non-issue. I personally like the free float, but you can also get the Zeros and lock them out if you want.
Speedplay also claims that they are more aero than other systems (makes sense due to the lower profile)…gotta be worth at least as much as those dimples on the Zipps ;).
I don’t get knee pain…butI hear about how they 'increase performance"…
Switching to Speedplays will increase your performance as much as changing out your stock bottom bracket for a Hawk…
Speedplay pedals come in 5 different axle lengths and they can be ordered as individual pedals in order to be perfectly fitted where it counts.
In the last 3 bike fits I have had to fit the riders with 2 different spindle lengths. Also if you are bowlegged they are great as if you have a very narrow stance.
That being said, the feeling of them is different than other pedal systems, however I can see where the performance improvements claims could come as a result of a better shoe/foot/pedal interface and better knee tracking!
There are some aero claims and cornering/clearance claims being made by the manufacturer but those are second to fit.
I’ve used them for 15yrs with no issues.
I am not inclined to execute a flying mount
but I would like to know if it is possible without
losing a shoe.
70+ flying mounts and the same number of dismounts and i have NEVER had a shoe come off.
It’s the only reason I am able to cycle now. After 2 complete knee rebuilds my knees became freakishly sensitive and I had come to a crossroads of finding out the problem or finding a new sport after over 2 decades…ahhhhh!
Custom fitting led us to 2 huge changes and 1 sorta big change. The shorter spindle and free float were huge for my knees(in addition to wedges). Going to the Speedplay adapter for rearward cleat position was the ‘sorta’ change as I was already far back, but this allowed us to get it waaaaay far back. Now, my knees feel great and I’m back on the roads. It wasn’t a performance issue, but more of an all or nothing proposition. Get my knees to cooperate or be gone:(
70+ flying mounts and the same number of dismounts and i have NEVER had a shoe come off.
I love the flying xc mount. The mount line is my favourite place to watch a triathlon. There is always at least one guy and sometimes luckily many more who go for the flying mount, then realize, to late, that they have behind-the-seat bottles on the bike!! Flying mount guy goes down and takes out two or three others with him. Then it’s garage sale time with all that stuff that triathletes have strapped to their bikes all over the road. Great fun. Very entertaining. 
Yea, but, but, the 1.1 seconds is worth risking taking others out. C’mon this is life or death here!
Yea, but, but, the 1.1 seconds is worth risking taking others out. C’mon this is life or death here
Even though it is very entertaining, standing at the mount line and watching all the crazy shenanigans that go on there, is when I worry for the future of this sport!
People are heading out for a 25, 56 or 112 mile bike ride and they seem to don’t even know how to get on the bike properly and safely!
I’ve been using them for more than 5 years. I used Looks before that. I see no performance differences. But, I’m not sure I could tell anyway. I do have a very bad left knee. The extra float in the Speedplays eliminated my knee pain.
If you’re interested in selling your Speedplays, pm me. Thanks.
I agree completely the flying mount is just stupid and inconsiderate in the transition area of today. At a USTS event 20+ years ago sure there was room for everyone to sling a leg, but it would still be dangerous as hell b/c half the flying start crashes I see happen 30 feet down the line b/c they are weaving all over trying to find their shoes.
As everyone else said, what difference were you expecting? People with lots of knee issues probably notice a pretty tangible difference, I started riding them while recovering from some tear damage in my knees and I just have never went back. I like them, but I don’t think I’m gaining or losing any actual raceday performance by using them. The biggest differnce for me with speedplays really is just the ease of entry during training and just leisurly riding. Now everyone will come out and say “I can clip-in both blindfolded and with my legs amputated on my keos!!” but I literally have lost count of the number of times I’ve either said or thought to myself “Thank god I have speedplays” during group rides as I’m safely accross intersections while others are fumbling in the middle of the road trying to clip back in. Speedplays are probably most valuable to me during training rather than racing, but I spend the vast majority of my time training so that is fine with me. I like to race with what I train with, so it’s speedplay all the way for me.