pedals: speedplay vs shimano spd-sl

[RemyMartin]

Quite simply, I'm beginning to really dislike my shimano 6700 ultegra pedals. I've had them since I've had my current bike and done around 1500 miles on them. Reasons for buying are not great...put simply they matched all the other ultegra parts.

I just can't get to grips with them and often when a quick getaway is needed find myself faffing around. I've now made the decision that they aren't for me.

I'm sold on the idea of the speedplay being double sided clip in so in theory much easy to attach.

Anyone have experience of going over to the speedplays or indeed use them, if so what are your thoughts.

Yours sincerely
A slightly frustrated cyclist.

Edited by RemyMartin on Wednesday 23 July 22:07

[GnuBee]

I have Speedplays having moved from Shimano something or other. Personally I think they're more of a pain to clip in but the benefits of "infinite" float outweigh that.

[IN51GHT]

I moved from Shimano to Speedplay due to knee problems, which have now vanished.

They are a fair harder "stamp" to get into & the cleat in the shoe needs to be kept clean & lube with a dry PTFE lube. The pedals also need their bearing greasing regularly.

Even with the additional maintenance I'd say they are worth it.

[Matt_N]

Yeh I would agree to an extent that they are slightly more difficult to clip into due to the smaller target area of the pedal and you can sometimes skate once or twice over the pedal whilst trying to locate and clip in, but I'd say 9 times out of 10 I clip straight in.

[GarryDK]

Can I have your Ultegra Pedals? :P

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I have a love/hate relationship with my speedplays - I never expect a quick getaway, sometimes they engage immediately other timers it takes several attempts to get the second one to engage. I often resort to standing up, jiggling my leg and putting all of my weight through it just to engage the second pedal.

Also bear in mind that if you get any dirt (or sand) in the cleat you will need to clean the cleats before you can ride (this happened to me whilst waiting for sandbanks ferry, and no I was not on the beach....)

[bakerstreet]

GarryDK said:

Can I have your Ultegra Pedals? :P

Bugger! Beaten to it!

My biggest issue of the SPD-SLs is the lifetime of the cleats.

I am also tempted to move to Speedplays. I've gone back to commuting on the Roadie and commuting in SLs can be a bit clunky compared to basic SPDs.

I didn't realize that SPeedplays needed so much maintenance. I'll admit that I have done nothing with either my SPD or SPD-SLs since I bought them. Nothing has really gone wrong with them.

[Matt_N]

I wouldn't call applying a bit of lube to the cleats and undoing a grease screw and squirting a bit in every now and then 'so much maintenance'.

A lot of pedal axles need greasing anyway so it's just the odd squirt of lube on the cleats.

[SR7492]

Speedplay all the way; probably the best upgrade I've done to my bike.

No more looking down to clip in (especially on hilly traffic lights) and much better getting the power down.

They give you plenty of adjustment to get you ideal position.

They do need a bit of maintenance (lubing) but totally worth it (they are a bit expensive though)

Edited by SR7492 on Thursday 24th July 13:45

[RemyMartin]

General consensus away from pistonheads seems to favour the speedplays away.

Tiny bit of maintenance bothers me not as I tend to keep my bikes tip top anyway, nor am I less bothered about a firmer press to clip in.

All good.