SPD-R Pedal alternatives!

neilr4

Hi,

I've back riding after a 10 year hiatus..... when I stopped I was using DA7700 including their SPD-R pedals. I realise that these pedals weren't loved and endeared by everyone but I found them to be excellent pedals. Positive power transfer with steel cleats and had no issues getting in and out of them and liked the wide Q-factor!!!

Back riding again, got bike from buddy with Time impact pedals and having used Time in the early 90's and liked them I thought they'd be fine but they're not..... Firstly they have changed the way they work, they now have a re-centering spring which means you're always fighting against it for float. Secondly the Q-factor isn't as large as the earlier pedals which even though I don't have an over-the-top toe out foot position my heels rub against the cranks.

So I purchased a set of speedplay zero pedals.
Advantages: Great float, has that skating on ice feeling of the first Time pedals, adjustable float by means of 2 limit screws on cleat. Large Q-factor even on standard stainless steel axles!

Disadvantages: Difficult to walk on without covers and if I stop at side of the road to repair puncture or relieve myself I have to be very careful that NO debris gets into the cleat or they won't engage. Require regular maintenance using grease between pedal and cleat which attracts dirt also bearings need to be greased regularly which never was required on my old Shimanos.

Great set of pedals but high maintenance IMO plus I have read some negative articles on the internet regarding speedplays bad customer service so there's also a moral principal of moving away from them!!

So that brings me back to where I was before I stopped 10 years ago.....

SPD-R have been replaced by SPD-SL which to me are basically Look pedals but with better cleats and I'm not a fan of the principal of the cleat pivoting from the front of the pedal though on SPD-R it didn't bother me too much!

I'm at the stage now of buying a set of used SPD-R pedals and mounting an adaptor onto my specialized s works 3 bolt pattern as top of the range shoes are no longer made with a bolt pattern for SPD-R or purchasing a set of SPD-SL to check out the Q-factor but then again it could turn out to be an expensive purchase if it doesn't work out

Anybody got an alternative suggestion?

ai_1

Can I suggest using dry lube instead of grease on the Speedplay cleats!
I would imagine grease would be incredibly messy and a dirt magnet. I give mine a tiny drop of teflon lube every few weeks and that's it. Once in a blue moon it takes a second attempt to engage after walking on grass/gravel/clay but it's really a non-issue. Grease is not recommended for this and I think switching to a dry lube will make life much easier and probably eliminate the problem.
With regards greasing the pedal bearings: You really don't need to do it that frequently. Their instructions are way over the top. I only do mine a couple of times a year and have never had a problem.
I used to use coffee shop covers when off the bike but they had to be carried around. I switched to keep-on covers a while back and find them okay to walk on now (still not ideal but neither are any other road cleats I'm aware of).

If you like how the Speedplay Zeros feel, I'd suggest sticking with them a little longer, getting rid of the grease on the cleats, forget about any other maintenance for a few months and see how you get on. I reckon you'll find your current issues will vanish.

P.S.
I've never used Speedplay customer service or heard much about it so I don't know if a boycott is warranted but if you've already bought them there's no moral issue with continuing to use them!

neilr4

Ai_1 wrote:

Can I suggest using dry lube instead of grease on the Speedplay cleats!
I would imagine grease would be incredibly messy and a dirt magnet. I give mine a tiny drop of teflon lube every few weeks and that's it. Once in a blue moon it takes a second attempt to engage after walking on grass/gravel/clay but it's really a non-issue. Grease is not recommended for this and I think switching to a dry lube will make life much easier and probably eliminate the problem.
With regards greasing the pedal bearings: You really don't need to do it that frequently. Their instructions are way over the top. I only do mine a couple of times a year and have never had a problem.
I used to use coffee shop covers when off the bike but they had to be carried around. I switched to keep-on covers a while back and find them okay to walk on now (still not ideal but neither are any other road cleats I'm aware of).

If you like how the Speedplay Zeros feel, I'd suggest sticking with them a little longer, getting rid of the grease on the cleats, forget about any other maintenance for a few months and see how you get on. I reckon you'll find your current issues will vanish.

P.S.
I've never used Speedplay customer service or heard much about it so I don't know if a boycott is warranted but if you've already bought them there's no moral issue with continuing to use them!

Thanks for the reply!!

I use grease on the pedals that is recommended by speedplay though will try teflon lube.

neil.

ai_1

Do you mean the bearings or the cleats?
I'm sure Speedplay do not recommend grease for the cleats!


Speedplay's suggested maintenance from memory (may be faulty!)
Dry lube for the cleats: Regularly
Grease for the bearings: Monthly

My regime
Dry lube for the cleats (teflon spray): every couple of weeks or if I notice engagement getting less smooth
Grease for the bearings: About twice a year (maybe 3 times if I ride a lot in the rain during winter)

My current Speedplay Zero pedals and cleats are both nearly 3 years old - cleats are about ready to replace, pedals are still fine.

Anonymous

Once every 2 years? Jeez. Ultegra 6700 were 3 years fit and forget.

ai_1

coriordan wrote:

Once every 2 years? Jeez. Ultegra 6700 were 3 years fit and forget.

If you mean greasing, then no, I said twice a year.
It's a completely different mechanical system to Ultegra 6700, why would you compare them?
I could as easily say "You had to change your spring tension - I just fitted my Speeedplays and they were fine".
In terms of maintenance, SPD-SL are simpler but having used both I'll be sticking with Speedplay. I don't consider 10 minutes maintenance a year to be much price to pay for what I find to be a much more comfortable pedal to use.