How good are Speedplay Zero's?

taffyscouser

Heard some good reviews re these but also very many unsupportive reviews across the pond. Main concerns seem to be rapid cleat wear, side to side slop in the cleat after realatively short numbers of miles, engagment problems and problems with fitting to some sole contours. Many people rave re them after few hundred miles or 2-3 months but what is long term ownership like? 12 months plus and 5000 mile owners out there?

Looking to buy a pair, but idea on hold till some realistic viewpoints have been sought. No journo reviews or suck up to manufacturer mag reviews needed.

Taff

Anonymous

Great pedals but then again I'm a journo who sucks up to manufacturers.
So feel free to disregard.

taffyscouser

Lucky Git

sward29

Hi,

I've ridden Zero's for the last few years and really rate them having used Time Impact, SPD-SL's, Look, and Speedplay X series in the past. I have only changed the cleats once and that was because I had a bike fitting session at CycleFit where they ensure your cleats are positioned correctly so I thought I'd put new ones on.

I read a lot of reviews and deliberated for a while before buying them because of the cost but have not been disappointed. They are dead easy to get in and out of and have great cornering clearance. I bought the cheaper cromo ones first in case I didn't get on with them and have since bought the stainless version for my best bike.

I can only imagine that those people who are having difficulties with cleat engagement/disengagement are overtightening the screws, but if you follow the instructions properly then you should have no problems. Don't believe the critics who talk about excessive amounts of maintenance either compared to other pedals - all they need is the occasional drop of lube on the cleats and Speedplay suggest that you regrease the pedals every 1000 miles or so - which is a two minute job with a grease gun.

The only downside is the cost of replacement cleats (around £35) which is why it can make sense to buy the cromo version. You can get these for around £70 now and then you also have a spare pair of cleats whenever you need them.

Hope this helps.

nobrakes

I've been a fan of the zero's since last summer. Previously I used the X's, and I liked them a lot, but the Zero's can be adjusted for less freeplay, which helps me in my pedal stroke, as my right heel tends to swing out in high RPM circumstances with the X's. The Zero's prevent this, even though they weigh slightly more.

farrell

I think they're good pedals but I have gone through 3 sets of cleats in 1 year ( that's £120 worth of cleats)

I'm going back to the X series - much less hassle IMO.

dennisn

How good? Not as good as sex but better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Dennis Noward

il_principe

They are brilliant. I've been on Zero's for 18 months and many miles. No problems whatsoever. Just make sure you set them up properly, keep the cleats lubed and clean and buy some "coffee shop" covers for them. Doing all this will make the cleat last longer. Side to side "slop" is controlled by 2 screws on the cleat, these are adjustable so you can have as much or as little float as you like.

willbevan

I use the X series, so a little different but love them!

taffyscouser

Thanks for all the info.
Will have another look at the x series and the Zeros in LBS

stjohnswell

Had my zeroes for about three months. Use them 4 or 5 days a week and the cleats are looking pretty worn-out. Also lost a retainer screw although they continue to function fine.

Even so, very happy with them. Don't find them any harder to engage than keos or spuds, although grit or mulch in the cleat can be annoying.