speedplay question

[cinema]

decided to try some SPs because i found them on sale. i know they are notorious for quality control issues and finicky-ness.

right out of the box one pedal clearly is tighter or has significantly more drag than the other. anyone else experience this? ready to just send them back, they shouldn't come new like that i don't think.

[Lewis Moon]

Probably just tight seals. I've ridden Speedplay since ~1993. Not. One. Problem.

[cinema]

Thanks. just being overly cautious due to all them haters i guess. i'll try and break em in first

[cadence90]

Like Lewis: never a problem with X2s, Frogs, and Zeros since forever.

[bikinchris]

Originally Posted by cinema

Thanks. just being overly cautious due to all them haters i guess. i'll try and break em in first

The seals might be tight making them turn with more effort? They can he greased to make sure the seals are laying right.

Are you having trouble clicking in? That might be solved by lubing the springs in the cleats with a dry lube.

I have worn out Speedplays, but never had any trouble.

[Matthew]

Same here. Have THOUSANDS of miles on three different pairs. Never had one issue. Lube once a season basically with a grease gun. Done. Change cleats depending on wear but have gotten tons of miles from a single pair before. Have not ridden anything but for years. Love them.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

I've ridden Speedplay since ~1993. Not. One. Problem.

Originally Posted by cadence90

never a problem with X2s, Frogs, and Zeros since forever.

Originally Posted by Matthew

Have THOUSANDS of miles on three different pairs. Never had one issue.

Well, I see my work here is already done...

[batman1425]

Common misconception for new SP users that the "tight" is a bad thing. They should feel "tight", as in they should not spin freely if you flick them. Spin smooth, but like they are in molasses. If you notice otherwise, that means they need grease.

Also - common as they are being worn in for a bit grease to work its way out of the pedal body and show up on the spindle. Normal.

Been riding SP for over 10 years. Started on X2's, have been on zeros for the last 8 years. Probably 8-10 different pairs on my bikes and my wife's in that time span. Not a single issue or failure.

[wallymann]

Originally Posted by cinema

i know they are notorious for quality control issues and finicky-ness.

interesting perception. doesnt line up with my experience.

been riding speedplays since 1991; never had a single QC issue in 25 years.

they're incredibly simple to setup and operate and maintain.

while the free-float can feel different at first, that should not be confused or conflated with "finicky-ness".

[rounder]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Same here. Have THOUSANDS of miles on three different pairs. Never had one issue. Lube once a season basically with a grease gun. Done. Change cleats depending on wear but have gotten tons of miles from a single pair before. Have not ridden anything but for years. Love them.

Same here.

[djg21]

What speedplays you're using. My bet is it's not a big deal. Maybe inject some grease into the pedal bodies and then go ride to see how the things feel..

[verbs4us]

Covered well. Factory recommends greasing at 3k mile intervals. In fact, the spec sheets says, if they spin too freely, that's a sign it's grease time. Mine weep grease on the spindle for about 100 miles after regreasing (I may be heavy-handed with the gun). My exp has been they are finicky only if you gunk up the cleat (I always use cleat covers, even to walk a few feet) and if you over or undertorque the cleat, so it does not sit correctly on the sole of the shoe.

[bshell]

Never heard of QC problems or 'finicky-ness'. I've been on the same pair of Zeros (the adjustable ones) since 2002(?) and I've never had a single issue. Just grease gun 'em every 6-12 months.

My experience with their customer service has been exceptional as well. Just picked up a pair of the 'walkable cleats' and had a couple of questions. Phone staff was completely knowledgeable/helpful etc. Made me want to buy more stuff from them. Might look into the SYZR for mtb.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by batman1425

Common misconception for new SP users that the "tight" is a bad thing. They should feel "tight", as in they should not spin freely if you flick them. Spin smooth, but like they are in molasses. If you notice otherwise, that means they need grease.

Also - common as they are being worn in for a bit grease to work its way out of the pedal body and show up on the spindle. Normal.

Been riding SP for over 10 years. Started on X2's, have been on zeros for the last 8 years. Probably 8-10 different pairs on my bikes and my wife's in that time span. Not a single issue or failure.

This is true. If the spin freely, you need to grease them.

[bironi]

I have to call bs on this. I've ridden SP since about 1990 with no notice of greased or not. The pedals froze due to lack of regular greasing. At that time I purchased a grease gun. Problem solved.