Speedplay light action

[Herlihy]

I bought a road bike a few months ago and thought I should start to clip in. After doing some research I opted for the Speedplay light action pedals, 'designed for those new to clipping in'

A few weeks ago I posted on here about the difficulties I was having clipping out, and got some comments back , which though trying to be helpful didn't really get to the point of the problems I've been having. The following week I did an audax with a mate who just could not believe my difficulties I was having , and afterwards lent me some spd- sls ( yellow tab) ones.

They are unbelievably easy to clip out of in comparison to the light action pedals and after my first ride with them I turned up the tension, as it was almost too easy to unclip from the sls .

I have no problem now clipping out ( Clipping in is a bit of a pain , but that's another story...)

The point I'm getting to is that just in case other riders new to clipping in are tempted by the light actions just be aware that though they need little force to unclip, the angle at which they release is considerable ( the marketing says 15%, it feels bigger), and this can make them more difficult to unclip from than say, spd- sls.

That very wide release action means it can be very difficult to unclick when the pedal is not at its lowest point, as it's diffiicult to twist one's foot sufficiently wide at a higher point, ( i tried and kept banging my knee on the cross bar...) and given it is unnaturally wide, can mean as it did for me that one needs several twists to get the sufficient angle of release. Or if I did twist out so wide to ensure I unclipped , the action both caused me to swerve the bike a little , and the foot to slip off the pedals). By contrast the spls require just a little dink of the heel.

Another thing I found a problem is the sense that Speedplay create that if you've problem with clipiping in or out, it's to do with the way you set them up. I spent hours refitting the cleats , adjusting screw tensions, lubricating, glueing screws, cleaning to no avail. The problem was purely the extent of the release angle.

By contrast , I find the spd sl's unbelievably easy to use i and I can see now why clipping out is just not an issue.

I'm sure that some people do find the light actions ok , and that's fine. But if you are new to clipping in and out, just be aware that the marketing does not tell the full story

 

[HeartAttack]

The biggest issue with difficulty in clipping in with speedplays is how tight you screw down the fixing screws. If you back one out and then slowly do it back up, and I mean lightly so you can feel whats happening you will feel almost a click as the screw goes in (there are minute flats on the underside of the screws.

I find that the best setting for me is 3 clicks, as 2 is too light, but there again others I have set up for people find 2 is better. Due to these flats the screws don't undo in use so its not a case of tight is best.

Oh get some chain wax lube and put some on the mounting plate where the horseshoe spring goes and also on the spring before fitting the metal plate this will help loads and due to the wax won't collect dirt.

As for the release angle, get some zero replacement cleats these work perfectly with the light action pedals but allow you to adjust the free play/reduce where you rotate to release.

 

[jayce]

I used to use spd sl and i find the speedplay light action much better for unclipping like what was said some people over tighten the cleats ,use stud lock then tighten just enough and i use light oil in the horse shoe if it dont move freely then the top cleat is too tight .As for releasing its effortless

 

[Randochap]

I would caution that the OP "does not tell the full story" and would be wary of taking this thread from an inexperienced clipless user as a commentary on Speedplay products.

There is something else at play here and I'd bet it has nothing to do with any shortcoming of the product.

My experience and that of my friends and customers I sold Speedplay to while in the industry is at complete variance with Herlihy's claims.

There is only 2 possibilities here

1. Herlihy is misusing the products, either in installation or technique
2. The product he bought is faulty.

I'll bet on the former.

I, and most Speedplay owners I know, use Speedplay X pedals/cleats. Their release comes at higher angle than other Speedplay models. That's why we like them. Still, the release is easy and becomes just as intuitive after a couple of days' use as SPDs or any other system. In fact, it is much easier than many systems, especially as it is a "double sided" system you just step on to clip in.

The only downside to Speedlay road pedals, as I've said here before, is that the click-in/release mech is in the cleat and subject to clogging. I recommend use of "cafe caps" if walking on gravel or mud.

But, if you are looking for improved pedaling efficiency and protection of knees. You can't, in my opinion, do better than Speedplay. Side benefits are lighter weight, bigger base than most other systems and narrower profile for those who like to hang it out on the corners.

For recreational tourers and short-distance commuters however, SPD (or Speedplay Frogs) w/ MTB shoes are probably the way to go, if only because they are easier to walk in.

 

[Herlihy]

Sorry Randochap but I'm afraid your post is somewhat patronising and a little bit defensive I think.

I said very clearly that these might be fine for many. God knows I did a lot of research before spending good money on them and it is very clear that many like them.

One of the reasons I went with them was I have ITB problems and I did not suffer one bit whilst using these. Furthermore , getting into them is a synch,; much easier than the SLs

The point I was trying to make is that others like myself, might find an angle of release of 15 degrees difficult to use, and before being swayed by the argument they only need a light action to release, might want to consider whether the size of the release angle outsways this.

The response of the three replies was typical of the comments you get - 'they must be set up wrong'. (I've worked with derivative traders for years and when one asked whether these really did what they say, you'd always get the same response - you really need to understand the relationship between alpha and volatility. It's difficult to take seriously someone who tries to counter a straightfoward point by implying the questioner does not understand enough. As for the comment about me being inexperienced, inexperienced.... well. perhaps you needed to rush off the reply)

I tested this last week before going out to buy spd- sls. I clipped in on the turbo , stepped out of the shoe, and clipped the shoe easily out of the pedal by hand. It really is a very light action. I am not disputing that. But clipping the shoe off by hand clearly showed that the foot had to revolve around a significant angle. Not just the 15 degrees , but a little more to overcome the very very slight resistance. As I said in my note, set up was very much not the problem

By contrast, the Spd -SLs require a simple dink to get off. So slight in fact I've tightened up the tension. They are much, much easier and intuitive to clip out of

Before I typed this I again googled the light action pedals , and amongst all the very positive comments, you will note a few , including reviews in magazine websites which say that some might find the angle of release unusual. I ignored them and listened to the other comments. I thought some people might find it helpful to hear the counter argument that the angle of release is unusual and can be awkward

 

[Randochap]

Herlihy, I apologize if my post appears patronizing. It's not meant to. It's certainly not defensive. I don't need to defend one of the best pedal systems on the market.

I take it from your post that you are indeed an inexperienced clipless user. If you aren't then I'll just take it that you don't like the product and leave it at that. Different strokes ....

But I still take umbrage at your claim that "the marketing does not tell the full story." In my experience, Speedplay tells the story exactly -- for the vast majority of happy users. Your comment reads as if there's some dishonesty at work on the part of the manufacturers.

I'd be the first to buy a system that had the same virtues as Speedplay X, that were recessed and easy to walk on. As a randonneur, I walk on my shoes more than your average racer/weekend warrior.

I could also understand if you had complained about the cost -- Speedplay are comparatively expensive and the cleats don't wear that long and they also are expensive. But I still can't imagine why you find exit from them difficult. As I said, I use the X pedals, which have a higher angle of release. I don't even think of it and most people won't either.

Enjoy your pedals. It's all about the ride in the end.

 

[Herlihy]

'But I still take umbrage at your claim that "the marketing does not tell the full story." In my experience, Speedplay tells the story exactly -- for the vast majority of happy users. Your comment reads as if there's some dishonesty at work on the part of the manufacturers'

I don't think there is dishonesty at at all. But I think one always needs a degree of scepticism over marketing laims.

For instance their website says explicitly

'FITS MORE SHOES: The Light Action cleat fits any shoe with a 3-hole or 4-hole mount'.

.. and then they arrive with fitting instructions which give a list of shoes they are not compatible with , including my 2008 Adidas. Doh!

I genuinely don't think that was case of dishonesty. Just marketing puff on their selling pages. If I'd looked close into the detail of the website. there is a compatibility guide later on. But if one doesn't dig further,One is left with Speedplay's own very stark statement they fit all three hole shoes.

 

[Randochap]

I'm a sceptic's sceptic. I never take anything at face value, having worked in the bike trade for years.

But Speedplay are top-notch value overall.

I agree that there is an inconsistency in their website information, but as you discovered, there is a very good, searchable shoe compatibility guide online that everyone should consult as part of their research.

Bicycles are still complex machines and this is no different than any other mechanical part on a bike. One needs to make sure the part is compatible with existing components. Help from a good LBS familiar with the product saves headaches. How many stories have I heard like this from frustrated people who buy blindly off the internet ....

 

[jayce]

I dug deep before i took the plunge got the information they suited my needs will never go back to spd ,speedplay all the way