Got it - don't use on road pedals in dirt

[Tai]

I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in the
dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just get
some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals from
Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?

JTM

 

[Mike Beauchamp]

I personally have no problem with 4 degrees of float. I know the speedplay 20 degrees of float is
advertised as "knee friendly", but I've never really had knee trouble because of using SPD's.

I've never tried those $20 nashbar pedals, but they look pretty well made. Anything like that will
definately be a lot better in mud than speedplay and for the price, they're definately worth a shot.
I'd be curious to hear the comments about them too, since I wouldnt' mind a new pair of SPD's

Mike http://mikebeauchamp.com

"Tai" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
> the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just
> get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals
> from Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?
>
> JTM

 

[cliff]

I had a pair of the Nashbar $20 off road pedals-Wellgo, so same as Ritchey. I thought they were pretty good for the price. I switched to Time ATAC and find them to be more secure and yet somewhat easier to get in and out of. I'm told if you ride in lots of mud (which I don'), the times clear better and don't jam up locking your foot in. Just my 2 cents.

cliff

 

[Mike Jacoubowsk]

> I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
> the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just
> get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals
> from Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?

The cheaper pedals are typically made by Wellgo (a large generic pedal company in Taiwan) and of
varying quality. I've seen some where entry and release weren't nearly as easy (or consistent)
as the least-expensive Shimano offerings (the SPD-515 and newer 520). If you have the
opportunity at the shop, try each and see how they feel. People will spend all manner of money
for a slightly-better tire; could be that a $30 price difference on a pair of pedals could be a
better buy!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

 

[Josh Gatts]

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The cheaper pedals are typically made by Wellgo (a large generic pedal company in Taiwan) and of
> varying quality. I've seen some where entry and release weren't nearly as easy (or consistent) as
> the least-expensive Shimano offerings (the SPD-515 and newer 520). If you have the
opportunity
> at the shop, try each and see how they feel. People will spend all manner of money for a
> slightly-better tire; could be that a $30 price difference
on
> a pair of pedals could be a better buy!
>

Maybe there's a quality control issue and I got lucky, but I can't tell any difference between the
(presumably Wellgo) Performance SPD clones on my fixie and the Shimano 515s on my touring bike; they
both work fine. I'm using Shimano cleats, FWIW.

To the OP, 4 degrees of float should be fine if you have the cleats set up right. Just make sure
your ankles are in the natural position at the center of the float. Bring a hex wrench with you the
first couple of times you ride with them so you can tweak the cleats.

--Josh

 

[Cashrefundman]

Tai wrote:
> I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
> the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just
> get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals
> from Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?

I have several pairs of Nashbar pedals and the only problem I've had is one pair made a lot or
clicking noises. Turns out it had almost no grease in the bearings. I packed them full of grease,
re-adjusted , and they have been good since.

CRM

 

[Peter Cole]

"Tai" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
> the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just
> get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals
> from Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?

The re-labeled Wellgos that Nashbar sells are OK. Be aware that some of them are "SPD-style", and
some are "SPD-compatible", meaning that the compatibility with Shimano cleats/pedals varies. Shimano
515's were available for $32 this summer (I haven't checked since), so that makes a difficult choice
if you're frugal.

 

[Doug Taylor]

[email protected] (Tai) wrote:

>I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
>the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful.

Forget it. You can't walk with the cleats; they aren't made for it. Off-road requires some if not
frequent dismounting and portage. The Speedplay cleats will be ruined in a matter of minutes walking
on trails, and even if they aren't, they don't work once clogged with dirt or mud. Not appropriate
for off-road, which is why Speedplay sells Frogs.

Another pedal to consider is Crank Brothers Eggbeater: easy in and out, no adjustments (as with
ATAC), great mud clearance, good float.

--dt

 

[Qui Si Parla Ca]

Morris-<< Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just get some new clipless pedals. The Time
ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals from Nashbar and other shops? >><BR><BR>

To get the pedals to $20, they have to sacrifice somethin', most likely the bearing/bushing quality.
$20 seems like a great deal but if they wear out quickly, perhaps a more expensive pair(Times are
about $85) may be a better 'value'..

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

[Thomas Reynolds]

"Josh Gatts" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > The cheaper pedals are typically made by Wellgo (a large generic pedal company in Taiwan) and of
> > varying quality. I've seen some where entry and release weren't nearly as easy (or consistent)
> > as the least-expensive Shimano offerings (the SPD-515 and newer 520). If you have the
> opportunity
> > at the shop, try each and see how they feel. People will spend all manner of money for a
> > slightly-better tire; could be that a $30 price difference
> on
> > a pair of pedals could be a better buy!
> >
>
> Maybe there's a quality control issue and I got lucky, but I can't tell any difference between the
> (presumably Wellgo) Performance SPD clones on my fixie and the Shimano 515s on my touring bike;
> they both work fine. I'm using Shimano cleats, FWIW.
>
I have gone through three sets of the Performance SPD clones. On two, the metal that held the cleat
broke and on one the screw that held the pedal on the shaft fell out (during a 1200K, I pedalled 30
miles one-legged). Performance always replaced them but it can really be inconvenient.

I hope the Nashbars are not made by the same company.

Speaking only from my own experience, Tom

 

[Grenouil]

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Morris-<< Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll
just get some
> new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but
how about
> those $20 SPD pedals from Nashbar and other shops?
>><BR><BR>
>
> To get the pedals to $20, they have to sacrifice
somethin', most likely the
> bearing/bushing quality. $20 seems like a great deal but
if they wear out
> quickly, perhaps a more expensive pair(Times are about
$85) may be a better
> 'value'..
>
> Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
> (303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

I suspect all they sacrifice is the "wowee" factor.........

 

[Chalo]

[email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:

> To get the pedals to $20, they have to sacrifice somethin', most likely the bearing/bushing
> quality.

Most of the expensive pedals out there have **** bearings too-- that is, bushings. Funny you use the
term "bushing quality" since in this application it's oxymoronic.

Time ATAC plastic pedals use nicer bearings, but then they're made of plastic. The aluminum ones use
the same junky bushings as everybody else's clipless pedals.

I wonder if the folks who pony up $100 or more for pedals with bushings instead of ball bearings
would pay real money for wheels with bushings instead of ball bearings. If that was the **** they
were being shoveled, I bet they would.

Chalo Colina

 

[Rick Onanian]

On 5 Oct 2003 19:06:15 -0700, [email protected] (Tai) wrote:
>I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
>the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just
>get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals from
>Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?

I'm very happy with the $20 Nashbar SPDs. Easy in/out, secure, etc. I have been using them on a road
bike, though, and I don't know how well they'd handle much dirt.

>JTM
--
Rick Onanian

 

[Tim McNamara]

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Tai) wrote:

> I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
> the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll just
> get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD pedals
> from Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?

If you're used to the Speedplays, you may find the lack of "float" bothersome. I switched from the
Speedplay road pedals to the Frog pedals on all my bikes and am very happy. The pedals feel the
same, maintainance is easier, and they work great for cyclo-cross.

 

[Hjalmar DuklæT]

"Tim McNamara" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Tai) wrote:
>
> > I take from most of your responses that it's not a good idea to use the road Speedplay pedals in
> > the dirt unless my wife and I are very careful. Considering how much those pedals cost, I'll
> > just get some new clipless pedals. The Time ATAC seem very nice, but how about those $20 SPD
> > pedals from Nashbar and other shops? Is 4 degrees of float too little?
>
> If you're used to the Speedplays, you may find the lack of "float" bothersome. I switched from the
> Speedplay road pedals to the Frog pedals on all my bikes and am very happy. The pedals feel the
> same, maintainance is easier, and they work great for cyclo-cross.
Yeah, they work great but they don't last as long as they should. I have had mine for three seasons
and about 5000 miles and now I'll have to change the bearings bacause I've got considerable play in
them. I've not had that problem with my Shimano and Look pedals. Neither with my X2's. Hjalmar

 

[Tim McNamara]

In article <[email protected]>,
"Hjalmar Duklæt" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Tim McNamara" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > If you're used to the Speedplays, you may find the lack of "float" bothersome. I switched from
> > the Speedplay road pedals to the Frog pedals on all my bikes and am very happy. The pedals feel
> > the same, maintainance is easier, and they work great for cyclo-cross.
>
> Yeah, they work great but they don't last as long as they should. I have had mine for three
> seasons and about 5000 miles and now I'll have to change the bearings bacause I've got
> considerable play in them. I've not had that problem with my Shimano and Look pedals. Neither with
> my X2's.

Well, I bought my X/2s in 1994 and they still work fine, there's a little play in the bearings and
the "lollipop" body is pretty severely worn so the cleats rock a bit. My oldest Frogs are 3 years
old (probably 6500 to 8000 miles on those) and thus far have not developed any significant play.

However, none of these modern pedals seem to hold a candle to my 25 year old Campy SLs in terms of
durability...

 

[Hjalmar DuklæT]

"Tim McNamara" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Hjalmar Duklæt" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > "Tim McNamara" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> > > If you're used to the Speedplays, you may find the lack of "float" bothersome. I switched from
> > > the Speedplay road pedals to the Frog pedals on all my bikes and am very happy. The pedals
> > > feel the same, maintainance is easier, and they work great for cyclo-cross.
> >
> > Yeah, they work great but they don't last as long as they should. I have had mine for three
> > seasons and about 5000 miles and now I'll have to change the bearings bacause I've got
> > considerable play in them. I've not had that problem with my Shimano and Look pedals. Neither
> > with my X2's.
>
> Well, I bought my X/2s in 1994 and they still work fine, there's a little play in the bearings and
> the "lollipop" body is pretty severely worn so the cleats rock a bit. My oldest Frogs are 3 years
> old (probably 6500 to 8000 miles on those) and thus far have not developed any significant play.
Maybe I've not greased them often enough. I'll certainly do that after I've installed new bearings.
How often do you grease your pedals? I also wonder why the Frog pedals have only got two bearings
(one needle and one cartridge) whilst the X-pedals have got three (one needle and two cartridge)?
Are they less prone to wear?? I thought it might have been the other way around.
>
> However, none of these modern pedals seem to hold a candle to my 25 year old Campy SLs in terms of
> durability...
Yeah, the old stuff seems to be impossible to wear out. Hjalmar