Hello,
Does anyone know what happens when you use speedplay zero pedals with x series cleats? Speedplays website says that they are not compatible, but why?
Thanks
Square peg, round hole. Beta in a VHS machine. Diesel in an f-40.
Doesn’t work.
MH
Hotdog and a vegan?
:0)
.
Thats my point, based on the website they look like a round peg and a round hole. What is different about the zero cleat, other than it looks like it has to screws that adjust the release point versus no adjustability on the x series. I guesss I’m asking has anyone tried or is everyone just going by the recommendation of speedplay.
Here is a picture from Tom’s review of the Speedplay Zero from 2002:
Here is a picture of the X-series pedal:
Notice that the point on the X-series pedal body that the spring clip inserts, spans the entire arc along each side of the pedal. Now look at the image of the Zero, notice that the insert point does not extend to the same length as on the X-series. Obviously the X-series cleats will not engage when used with a Zero series pedal body but from outward appearances it does seem that a Zero series cleat may work with an X series pedal but will it release? Given the relatively low cost of Zero series cleats when compared to the cost of purchasing a new set of Speedplay Zero pedals, I can certainly understand the curiosity. The combination would appear to give you almost all of the advantages of the Zero (accept for flaot limiting) simply by switching cleats!
Michael
Okay, curiosity got the best of me and when I got done with the training ride/run this evening, I grabbed one of the wifes X-series pedals out of the tool cabinet and proceeded to test the theory of whether or not a Zero cleat can clip onto an X-series pedal! Well sure enough the pedal snaps in like a charm and other than not having the benefit of the float limit, it unclips just as easily! Now please understand that I did this “static” - holding the shoe with the zero cleat in one hand and the X series pedal in the other and simply pressing the two together - no road miles where logged and therefore we really can not judge what adverse effect could result from this in the long term.
FYI - there is a disclaimor on the Speedplay website that X series cleats are not compatible with Zero pedals and also that Zero cleats are not compatible with X-series pedals! Personally, it appears from my brief experiment that this is not the case and Speedplay is trying to prevent the masses from economizing by with a $40 set of cleats as opposed to pedals that cost between $190 and $250 (titantium).
Michael
**ms6073 **
ms6073
Where is Houston are you? I out I-10 and Eldridge in lakes on Eldridge.
Miketris
Hmmm, we’ve never tried it. I did read in a number of places not to. In my military mind I followed the instructions. Verbatim compliance to written instructions.
For obvious liability reasons we would never, ever recommend doing such a thing. If nothing else- when something happens you have no recourse.
Thats for the info, unfortunately thats the opposite of what I was looking for. If you get a chance could you try an x series cleat with a zero pedal.
Thanks
Sure - that is a not brainer as we tried it when the wife first made the switch. The X-Series cleats will not properly engage the slots on a Zero pedal due to the fact that the length of the “slots” on the body of the Zero pedal are of insufficient length to allow the spring clip in the X-series cleat to engage. Although you will hear a couple distinct clicks if you try it, you will find that your shoe is simply riding/floating aboe the pedal body and the first time you pull up, your foot will come loose. Standing while pedaling with this setup is a definite nogo unless you have a personal physician with a good sense of humor and really good health insurance!
Michael
Ah good,
Sounds like time for mr. dremel tool.
Where in Houston are you?
I-10/Barker Cypress area - less than a mile from Alkek Velodrome!
Michael
Sounds like time for mr. dremel tool.
Okay - now I am a little confused?
I can certainly understand why someone would want to use Zero cleats with X-series pedals but I am curious to know why you want to go the other way? Personally I would worry that I would risk toasting an expensive pedalset with the dremel not too mention that this seems to negate the advantages of the Zero cleat over the X-series cleat. The main reason I got Zero’s for my wife was due to the fact that I got tired of having to bang her shoes on the ground to get the debris/mud/rocks out of the spring clips after she walked on surfaces other than the road! Sure some people end up pulling hair trying to install Zero cleats properly without fear of having the screws too tight/loose (experience and a stationary trainer helps) but in my experience, the latest version of these cleats work pretty well!
Michael
I’m at I-10 and Eldridge. Lakes on Eldridge. Are you a member of HRTC?
Miketris
Good questions, I have two sets of zero pedals and two pairs of shoes with zero cleats. I have four bikes that i use the pedals on. Recently I picked up a pair of used ti zeros for $85. I could get zero cleats, but I would like as amuch interchangability as possible. Figured for $85 I could always resell them If I couldn’t make them work somehow. Also I’m not ,sure what what advantages the zero cleats have for me. I end up filing the x cleats a bit on my left leg to get a bit more rotation due to my ankle having excessive rotation.
Well now that certainly makes sense!
I can certainly relate to having multiple bikes and different pedals systems - wife and I have multiple bikes as well and currently she uses speedplay zeros on her bikes while I use Shimano SPD-SL on mine. I have wanted to try Speedplays - well technically I already did considering that when I got zero’s for the wife, I put her X-series on my TT bike for a few days but did not like the extraneous float! As for your situation, personally I would take the dremel to the Zero cleats not the pedals - seems like it would be a lot easier to modify the plastic tabs that limit float than trying to southern engineer the pedal body to accept an X-series cleat (IMHO)!
Michael