I’m considering Speedplay pedals Zero’s (Stainless steel) for my new Tri bike. I’ve been a very happy Look user for years now. Tom D has a good review on his site and seems to think they are great. Anyone else happy/experience using these pedals. Any feedback welcome.
I wouldnt change from look. Sure there is a weight difference - sure the bikeshops love it (margin somthing to do with it?). But if the weight difference comes at no cost, why are all the pros riding look?
Also while pedals are moving mass, if you dont ride a singlespeed the crank moves at a fairly stable speed. So even if your bikes accelerates and gets slower, the cadence should more or less remain stable.
I am very careful with reviews, my main guiding principle is - never change a running system. So if you like look why change it?
If I would consider another system, time would be it or even the new dura ace. But definitely not the lollipop. Also dont forget compatibility - if you have look on your road bike you need two pairs of shoes.
i switched from look to speedplay zeros about 1 yr. ago and i couldn’t be happier. i had ridden looks for 6yrs and because of an injury it was suggested by my pt that i try speedplays. i have used the pedals w/sidi and northwave shoes and both systems have worked well. the connection btw shoe and pedal is solid both in and out of the saddle. the biggest benefit i find w/the zeros is the ability to set your float so it is asymmetric, which because of my biomechanics has been a life saver for my right leg. the limit screws in the cleat allow my right heel to float inward a good amount without having the same amount of float in the outward direction, which would be too much “total float” for my liking and make getting out of the pedals a little trickier. the pedals are also fantastic coming out of T1, as the double sided ease of entry allows for a cyclocross style mount. i’m not sure if it is in my head but i do like the feel of the lower stack height. i liked the pedals so much i bought a second pair for my road bike. hope that helps. nothing but great things to say couldn’t imagine a better pedal system for my personal needs.
“But if the weight difference comes at no cost, why are all the pros riding look?”
Actually, CSC, Phonak, HealthNet, Navigators, Colavita Bolla, Macca, Jurgen Zack and others ride Speedplay. That being said, basing your equipment decisions on “what the pros ride” is not the smartest way to go. Believe me, pro cyclists/triathletes wont ride something if it absolutely just doesnt work, but if enough money/free product is thrown their way they will ride just about anything that does work. It is also much more difficult for small companies with only one component to get on pro team bikes. Team directors have told me that the big guys like Shimano, Look, Campy etc. can leverage the big package deal. i.e. " we will give your team 10 speed D/A groups but only if you ride our wheels and use our pedals and shoes. If you go with Speedplay, Spinergy, FSA, Sidi etc. then you can buy the groups."
I also switched from Look to Speedplay. I bought a bike with Speedplays (even though I had Looks on my other bike). The seller threw in a second pair of Speedplays so that I would have the same pedal system on both bikes. At first, they certainly felt different, a bit like your feet were slipping. But, after 30 minutes I loved them. I’ve been riding them now for about 4 years. I think they are both very good pedal systems, but I’d give the nod to Speedplays.
Speedplay Zeroes = Great pedal. Had 'em for two years, love them. The do-everything pedal. Especially good for running out of the bike corral since the pedals do not clog with dirt and mud. I’ve adjusted the float down to a very narrow range that’s just perfect for my legs/feet.
Regular Speedplay = ZOINKS! What a disaster. How do people ride those things?
I needed new bike shoes and a second set of pedals for the road bike (tired of switching them all the time). So, I bought a set of Dura Ace for the road bike and will just keep the old shoes/pedals on the tri bike. No real reason other than: might as well have two systems and see if I really prefer one over the other. No complaints about the Zeroes, though.
If you’re a happy Look user you will probably find the Shimano DA pedals more familiar out of the box. I’ve been riding Looks on my road bike, and went with the DA’s on my new tri bike. I absolutely love them. Same big, stable platform as the Looks, but with cleats that are easier to walk in and NO SQUEAK! I opted for the DA’s over the Ultegra flavor, not only for the modest weight savings, but for the fact that the DA’s have rebuildable/replaceable bearings whereas the Ultegras are pretty much toast if the bearings go.
Also switched from Look to Speedplay Zero-stainless, and riding with them since October, and quite happy with short and long rides. Very stable when mashing too.
Work great with carbon soles, and the micro-adjust float and ease of entry/exit are better than Look. I wouldn’t go back. Tom’s review is right-on.
Keith
I ride Speedplay Zero’s and cant say enough about them. Go with them you will be happy you did…
I ride the Zero (Stainless Steel) pedals. I luv them (and they match my bike.) I don’t notice a lack of pedal surface, and the dialing in the float is really easy. This is good. My foot tended to rub the crank arm when I pedaled, so I just messed with the internal float a little bit. Voiala, problem solved. Speedplays real strength comes in though when you have to ride in town. If you come to a stoplight and you have to stop you just twist (your out.) Then when you’re ready to go, you just push off, then step down (click, and you’re back in.) No slipping, fumbling, or getting smacked by the car behind you. Speedplays rock!
I have been using the X-2 speedplays for about 5 years with no real problems with them at all except that the cleat seems to need to be replaced roughly once a year ($40). Sometimes they last longer but if I am riding a lot the little wire will need to be replaced…do the zeros have this problem? They look a little stronger…also I tend to like the float on the older pedals…can you adjust the zeros to have quite a bit of float?