Speedplay Cleats, is it time to replace them?

Nemo Brauch

I'm on my second pair of Speedplay Cleats.  If my memory serves, I replaced the last set at about this time of year back in 2008 at the recommendation of my LBS (and I think that was about when I bought Hobbs too- so I needed peddles anyway and maybe the cleats kinda came with the package or something). 

Anyway- fast forward to today.  Sure, the cleats are pretty beat up (despite my bringing cafe covers with me on rides- I guess they don't really do much if they just sit in your back pocket), but no one is looking at them, right?  The problem is that for about a month or so now I've been having a hell of a time getting clipped in.  Unclipping is no problem, but clipping in (especially on my right foot) is really a challenge.  It makes riding with the roadies really tough cause I gotta be at the front of the paceline for any light or stop or I am seriously hosed!

I've checked & cleaned the cleats but it doesn't seem to help.  Does this mean it's time to buy new cleats?

mancona

Since you said you cleaned them I would say it is time for a replacement set. Mine start to act up when they need lube and typcially last about a season and a half or so. Instead of buying cleats this year, I treated myself to a new set of paddles and now all of my bikes and shoes have matching pedals so I never have to worry about what shoes or to use on what bike :-)

Larry Gilbert

cleaning them is just part of the maintence on speedplays....you definitely have to lube them too. Try that and if they still are giving you a hard time....then it's time for new ones.

William Jenks

I find it's very easy just to replace them once a year. It's what...$30 or something? One time, I found out that the plate beneath the cleat had been broken in a couple of places and there was a small risk that I could have spontaneously come off the pedal when I didn't mean to.

Scott Alexander

I agree with Mancona, if' you've cleaned and lubed them and you're STILL having problems with them, it's time to replace. I do the same thing with mine.

Al Truscott

On the other hand ... from the Department of Low Maintainence: I bought my first Speedplay cleats in 2000. I rode them probably at least 2000 miles a year. Whenever they would get tough to clip in, I would fiddle wtih the spring adjustment on the pedal, and that would fix it. Last summer, I noticed  a weird noise when I would walk on them. The front end of each cleat had worn down to nothing and were atarting to flap against the sole, as the screws were almost worn down to the bottom of the grooves - I could barely remove them. Now, 9 months later, maybe 1500 miles, they're starting to get hard to clip in.

So maybe a quick inspection of how worn the front end of the cleat is, especially if you do a lot of walking in them?

I'm both lazy and cheap - a bad combination when it comes to bike maintainence. Maybe I should figure out this "lube" thing being talked about?

Tom Glynn

Nemo,

just had my Speedplay pedals replaced. I was told by the LBS that the issue with Speedplay is usually the bearings, when they go, it's time to replace them. I would think that clip in/out issues should be fixable, either by a thorough cleaning of the pedal and cleat, or by adjusting the cleat a bit. The LBS will also grease the pedal every time I bring the bikes in for servicing.

I'd have them look at it before getting new ones.

tom

Nemo Brauch

OK- well I have to also confess here that I lost a bolt a while back and replaced it. But the heads of all the bolts are seriously worn and getting the dang things unscrewed is really tough.

I'll give them one more try before replacing them.

Kitboo

What Matt said. I replace mine every 2000 miles...or when they start getting hinky and don't clip in despite being cleaned.

Nemo Brauch

Just to follow up. I took apart and thoroughly cleaned the cleats (again). But they still didn't clip in without multiple attempts. I stopped by the LBS on my Sunday ride and had them put on a new set. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Oh yes- now I remember how effortless this is supposed to be!!! $30 well spent!!

Chris G

 On a kinda sorta related topic, what is the story with all the love for speed play pedals?  Design seems fundamentally flawed for use in an application where you sometimes have to run across dirt/grass/mud in your shoes before mounting.  Yes I know that if I was truly "pro" I would be running barefoot and doing a perfect flying mount.  

Seems much easier to walk into stores etc with the plastic look cleats and they do not get filled with mud either.

 

Coach Rich

Posted By Chris G on 10 May 2010 04:58 PM

 On a kinda sorta related topic, what is the story with all the love for speed play pedals?  Design seems fundamentally flawed for use in an application where you sometimes have to run across dirt/grass/mud in your shoes before mounting.  Yes I know that if I was truly "pro" I would be running barefoot and doing a perfect flying mount.  

Seems much easier to walk into stores etc with the plastic look cleats and they do not get filled with mud either.

 

Werd. I think triathletes use Speedplays because triathletes use Speedplays. I've always been Looks. I have a 6 pairs laying around the house if anyone is interested

Tom Glynn

I started using Speedplay years ago because they were double sided. In my first pair of cleats (non Speedplay) I'd start rolling after a red light and forever be looking down trying to clip in. Nearly hit a couple of cars / people on multiple occasions. Speedplays made a huge difference for me. Now with multiple bikes, one style is easiest, so I've just stuck with them.

Nemo Brauch

'cause that's what the guy at the bike shop told me to get when I bought my first bike. It's as simple as that.

William Jenks

I chose speedplays for a combination of reasons-

-double sided
-i wanted the angle-flexibility (though I know there are other brands that do that)
-bad experience with a previous "Look" style pedal
-cost was reasonable
-can be pedaled reasonably without your cycling shoes on if you just need to ride the bike for a short distance in street shoes

None of these is exclusive to speedplays, but all worked together for me. That said, I do understand the whole grit/pebble problem inherent to them. I did fall one time at a minor race when just getting going when I (apparently) had a little pebble or soemthing in there and didn't know I wasn't properly clicked in. Fortunately, that's the only incident in training or racing I've ever had.

Chris G

 Double sided huh, now I get it.  FWIW my looks are always are kinda "right side up" because the way they are weighted.   

Now I know that the arbiter of all things cool when it comes to cycling is with me on this I can look down on anyone with speedplays with righteous indignation :-)

mattsull

I've got Time RXS pedals on both bikes and really like them. Had them for 2 years and haven't had to replace the cleats yet. Demerly says he got over 3500 miles on his.

www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/rxspedals.shtml

Al Truscott

 I got my TT bike in 2000, and put Speedplay pedals on 'cause that's what I'd been using on my mountain bike. I liked being able to twist my legs around every which way.

mancona

I like the non-centering and fully adjustable float on the speed plays zeros. My knees did not like being forced into one position with the shimano pedals i had before and I instantly felt better on the speedplays. Plus the double sided entry is really nice, just step on the pedal and go, no thinking involved.

Michele Cellai

I have on ly ever "fallen over" with Look pedals. I have Speedplay on my road bike. I wanted Speedplay on the TT bike, but apparently, if I have that much float, I waste energy. So I am in Look Keo forTT bike and they are fine. Mountain bike has Shimano which are also double sided and I think even easier to get into than Speedplay. So if ever I get to chage things up, I'd go with Shimano.

mgraffeo

+1 on the Time RXS. I got talked into them by the LBS manager, who said "you're doing tri's, right? You don't want Speedplays, they'll get all gunked up in transition. I race a lot of cross, and Time is the only pedal I recommend for running in dirt."

Having never used Speedplay's, I have no idea if this is a fair criticism. I just know that I love my Time RXS's!

Mike