Switch from Bebop to Speedplays a week out from IM. Bad idea?

Triathlon Forum
1

The set(s) of bebops i have used for the last few years have reached the end of their lives, and any attempts to grease the bearings is fruitless.

So, I could either listen to a loud squeaky pedal, that might just jam up on me, for the length of an IM bike, or switch out to a near-new set of Zeros I have on hand. Never used the zeros, but the stack height is nearly identical (11mm for bebop; 11.5mm for speedplay), and the zero float is the same as Bebop.

Aside from ignoring the “never try anything new on race day (or in the week leading up to it for that matter)” maxim, am I missing anything glaringly obvious that Everybody Should Know When Changing Pedal Systems?

2

as long as you can use them (float,placement), i dont think you have any issues. i mean how many times are you cliping in and out in an IM?

3

well, it’s only a 112 mile ride (lol).

kidding aside, if it was a training day you might not think twice. just ride some and see how it goes. i wouldn’t freak out about it though.

4

I would respectfully suggest you stay with existing, proven equipment.

5

even if “proven” means “proven to be inadequate”?

i’m guessing that either will be fine but neither will be perfect.
the good thing is, like someone said, you won’t be clipping in and out much. hell, put some duct tape in your special needs and pull a Breaking Away if you have to.

-charles

6

Switch them out, just make sure that you keep the pedal spindle in the same location on your shoe and you shouldn’t have a problem. Just do it as soon as you can so you have a chance to ride them once or twice before the race.

7

Well, you have a point Bob- and I thought about this further after I posted (Slowman wouldn’t like that…)

I’m reacting from a place where customers from our store want to try new equipment at the absolute last moment and sometimes have issues with it. Heck, I’ve done that very same thing myself and had little annoying problems.