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Submitted by
DouceMan
a Weekend Warrior
from Stow, MA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | LeoMinster State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight. Easy, quick unclip. | | Weaknesses: | Bearing design.
Cleat wear. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | High Maintenance:
The inner bearing uses the pedal shaft as a bearing surface for the needle bearings. Unless you are meticulous about cleaning and re-lubing, the shaft is going to wear. This is particularly dissapointing when you discover that your titanium shaft is shot!
The cleats wear quickly which manifests as annoying play. Also, the recent 1-piece design seems to wear much quicker on both the cleat interface side and the outer surface. My guess is that this change was done as a cost reduction and the steel is a softer grade. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pelly_NH
a Cross Country Rider
from Merrimack, NH
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | Total freedom...the float on these initially feels like you're standing on ice, but you adjust and will never settle for another pedal again. | | Weaknesses: | The original speedplay frog cleats were infinitely better...Over time, the design slightly changed for the worse. Regardless, still a great pedal. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SPD | | Bike Setup: | Several over the years | | Bottom Line: | Whether XC racing, going downhilling at various mountains, jumping, or just bombing around...the Frogs were exceptional. Living in NH, I needed a pedal that would hold up to some serious mud and take some punishment given the rocks/roots of New England. I've used Frogs for several years...the only component choice that never changed. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
devo_stevo
a Cross Country Rider
from Brigham City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Bountiful Bicycle Ce | | Strengths: | Light, good float and easy release when everything is clean. they make good road pedals. | | Weaknesses: | Don't look at that mud or sand or water that attracts dirt to your shoes or you won't be able to get into or out of the pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | time ATAC and some old Shimano spd's | | Bike Setup: | Giant Antem 2 with some parts on it. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these thinking that after all these years Speedplay would have these things dialed in great and they would be a good pedal. I have known a few people who rode these and they liked them a lot. I have been riding on the road lately and barely took them off road today for the first time and I have to say that I haven't been this disappointed in a product for a long time. I had to cross a small stream and my foot got wet. Suddenly I couldn't get out of the pedals and when I finally did, I couldn't get back in them without some serious effort.
In the end, I think that Speedplay should simply market these pedals as road pedals. I have been using them as such since January and have been quite happy with them in that capacity. As far as I'm concerned they are not fit for off road use and will be coming off of my bike before I ride it again. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
supermuts
a Cross Country Rider
from Arnhem, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Hell of Groesbeek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The free float just stole my heart because I got bad knees resulting from 25 years MX- and enduro motorcycle racing. The stiff feel and not easy unlocking of i.e. SPD hurted my knee. The free float and easy disengaging is one of a kind. I use them both on my MTB and streetracer. | | Weaknesses: | Mud and lose sand sometime can be a hassle. Engaging them straight form back to forward is the best way to clean the combo and let it engage as you want. But going the other way will stuck the stuff inside and bring not engagement and/or uneasy to get out. The old cleats where better, made a sound when engaging and didn't wear that fast. Especially at the side clips, the achilles heel of this system), get easier abuse then the old ones. At the oldies you could turn the side clips and so could be used a little longer. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD but that was a short experience. | | Bike Setup: | Merida carbon Team fully, XTR shift and disc brake with Tune wheels incl NOtubes rims. | | Bottom Line: | Important is cleaning cleats and pedal after each ride and spraying them with cheap teflon spray (cleats only). Engaging from back to forth is an important you-should-do that also to prevent unnecessary wear out. In total will a set of cleats last approx 10 months. I have currently 5 or 6 complete sets bought cheaply via Ebay and will use these babes for hopefully many many years. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobby Dee
a Cross Country Rider
from Lonodn, UK
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans cycles | | Strengths: | Float!
No spring tension to overcome when engaging/disengaging. | | Weaknesses: | Cleat wear.
I managed 6 months per set of cleats road commuting. In both cases I wanted to replace at 4 months but couldn't justify the cost.
Poor mud clearance. | | Similar Products Used: | Time atac alium. | | Bike Setup: | Various Hybridised road bikes and fixed wheel machines. | | Bottom Line: | I got these because they were on sale. I'd heard about and liked the idea of the free float design.
First few months were absolutely amazing in every respect.
Then the cleats started to wear quicker and quicker.
4 months on and traffic light sprints were prone to the odd pull out. Not nice.6 months and cleats wore through completely.
Tried these on a cross bike and they jammed up with the mud: Poor.
Second set of cleats wore out totally and I couldn't face another £30, so got some more Atacs second hand and new time cleats.
I'll miss the free float, but I'll have complete confidence in my pedals again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Silentfoe
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle Mountain, Utah
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Super light, easy to maintain, no moving parts | | Weaknesses: | Replacement cleats come often and are expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Egg Beaters, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale XC Hardtail, all XTR | | Bottom Line: | Who breaks these? I'm not saying you didn't do it, I'm saying what were you doing? I have been riding these forever. I replace the cleats every year and I don't have any problems. They were tough to get used to originally but once you get used to feeling like you are standing on ice, they are great. Mud clearance is a small issue but I have been in some thick stuff and they still work, about as well as anything else. My most difficult element is the Moab sand. I actually dumped over a few times because of all the sand in the cleat. Frustrating but since it only happened twice in 3 days, I was O.K. with that.
These pedals are a great light weight option for any gram counter. Once you get used to the floating sensation you'll be hooked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
radirpok
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest, Hungary
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Free float, weight, style ;-] | | Weaknesses: | Mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap Shimanos, and toe-clips (which are still my favorite) | | Bike Setup: | On-One Il Pompino | | Bottom Line: | Free float is one thing - you either love it or hate it. I'm in the loving camp, since my Pompino is set up with a fixed drivetrain, and IMHO these are the best pedals for this type of use - when you spin them high RPMs (120+) they practically disappear and the feeling is that you are floating on air. Nice.
However, let's not forget that these are supposed to be MTB pedals, which they are - sadly - not. The pedals are OK (although the platform is small, so definitely no unclipped riding on technical terrain is allowed, also no emergency clip-out - byebye rock gardens), but the cleats are a disaster. You only have to *think* about mud, dirt or anything that can stick to your shoes and they immediately stop functioning. You can't get in your pedals, which is bad, and then when you finally get in, you can't get out (which is worse...). And the worst is that somehow dirt sticks to your shoes so persistently that months after the muddy run I still get problems getting in... In contrast, the cheapo Shimano PD-M520 pedals keep working more or less alright even when they are swallowed in knee-deep mud (I know, I tested that), so the price/performance ratio is, well, not the best.
They make a nice fixed gear touring accessory though. I just kinda like the clean look, and when used mostly under controlled environmental conditions (eg. pavement/fire roads) they work OK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bsdc
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Muleshow | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Lots of non-centering free float. | | Weaknesses: | The cleat wear out surprisingly quick. | | Similar Products Used: | Egg beaters, Shimano, Time, | | Bike Setup: | I use these on my road, tandem, and mountain bikes. | | Bottom Line: | You either like the free float or you don't. As a Sports Chiropractor and a cyclist with some lower extremity biomechanical faults, I think these are great for many people. I am disappointed with how often I have to buy new cleats. The two lateral tabs are relatively fragile. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Costanza
a Cross Country Rider
from Anytown, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | FlatRock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strengths are you kidding? | | Weaknesses: | Everything. Plastic body breaks easily, Cleat wears out causing premature release. Customer Service is completely awful of no use. | | Similar Products Used: | Crank Brothers Candy SL's - Great pedal, great customer service! | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Epiphany topped out with SRAM and Crossmax
| | Bottom Line: | These pedals are overpriced trouble prone pieces of sheeee-iiitt. I have broken a couple of them and the cleats wear out too quickly. Customer Service Blows! Good riddance Speedplay! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
leehayes
a Cross Country Rider
from Emmaus, PA USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Uranium Road | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | bike line allentown | | Strengths: | No moving parts. | | Weaknesses: | couldn't find any | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 535, ritchey | | Bike Setup: | full suspension cross country mountain bike | | Bottom Line: | I had the original frogs and I have to say they were the best. Easy in easy out. Saved my skull a few times on the way out. I like the lack of moving parts because I'm horrible about maintenance. The float takes a little time to get used to but once you do the float is very much appreciated. I have a new set of frogs and they take a little more force to get into but once you're in they stay in. I'm amazed that everyone doesn't use these.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
darrinw2001
a Weekend Warrior
from Valrico, Fl
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | North Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | Included on used bik | | Strengths: | Float was great on XC flat type trails | | Weaknesses: | Too easy to come un-clipped on dips and drops, leaving you un-clipped trying to climb. Not fun | | Similar Products Used: | SPD | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Gary Fisher Cake 2 Manitou Black super air fork, Manitou SPV Swinger shock, XT and LX components | | Bottom Line: | These were OK on flat XC type trails that I 1st used them on, but when riding any trails with dips or drops it was too easy to come un-clipped at the bottom by accident leaving you with no chance to make the climb out. Switched back to my SPD/Platform combo pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy I.
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$105.00 | | Purchased At: | Old Town Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Confidence inspiring quick "no spring tension" release & easy entry, great for first timers also. Best float in the business. Super lightweight & easy to maintain with Zerk grease ports. | | Weaknesses: | If you have to dismount in sandy conditions, the cleat may pack up resulting in a delayed re-entry into pedal.
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Time, Crank Bros. | | Bike Setup: | Frog first timers will want to be patient since it's a ompletely different technique used when learning this pedal system. Use dry lube on cleats for best results. | | Bottom Line: | I've been on this pedal for 15 years and have seen this product develop into a solid performance off-road pedal system that's great for all rider types....Love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marc
a Downhiller
from littleton, co, usa
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | keystone-money | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$124.00 | | Purchased At: | littleton bike shop | | Strengths: | simplicity, "float", ease of clipping in, good in the mud. | | Weaknesses: | few, but I would have to say value and size. | | Similar Products Used: | crank bros. candy, shimano, flat dh pedals | | Bike Setup: | giant ac with marz. fork and full xt | | Bottom Line: | I have had these pedals for 9 years now and am just having to get the rebuild kit. They are great! They were my 1st clipless and I will stick with them. I love the float, it allows me to move on the bike better. I live in a rocky, muddy, gritty area and they have held up well. I even used them for downhill for a couple of seasons before I got my dh bike. I tried shimano (gave them away) and crank bros. (still experimenting with these)but still love these pedals. I did have to replace the cleats a couple of times but the last set has lasted several years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Espalin
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Powell Butte | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | simple design, comfortable float, simple to maintain, solid retention. | | Weaknesses: | New version are cheap, chinsey and basically a waste. | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Factory HomeGrown hardtail, Avid Disc, XT, XTR, Mavic, Rock Shox. | | Bottom Line: | I have used my Frogs for almost 8 years with NO problems. I have always loved the "on ice" feel, and almost never had any problems with poor engagement. I recommended them to a friend based on my great experience, and was totally disappointed. The new ones are junk, no SNAP when you engage them, more than half the time, they wouldn't even completely engage. Used my dremel to grind some of the tread away from his Dominators', but with the curve of the bottom of the show, was almost impossible to get them to safely engage the pedal. Frogs used to be great, not anymore, I will have to find a new pedal.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ssorgs
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Float, simplicity, durability (pedal, not cleat), rebuildable | | Weaknesses: | Cleats: engagement, durability, size, traction. Disengagement during crashes | | Similar Products Used: | SPD (1 yr) -> Frog (9 yrs) -> Eggbeater (1 ride) -> Time ATAC XS (9 mos) -> XTR (1 ride) | | Bike Setup: | Maverick Durance-DUC, X-9/X-0/XT, 10-sp FD, Juicy 7s, 819s, Minion DHF (run tubeless!), Spec Eskar Ctrl 2Bliss, 24/7 front hub, LaserLite rear hub, Speedball R, WTB Speed V, XTR pedals, Ergons, EA70 Monkey Bar | | Bottom Line: | Loved these pedals for years and years, but got tired of breaking both stlyes of cleats -- mostly the mushroom caps. It's very rocky where I ride and that's really where they're at their weakest. In other regions these should be great. As my riding has gotten more technical/aggressive especially in the last couple of years, I started breaking cleats more frequently.
I loved the float and the 'skating' sensation never bothered me. In fact, I liked that I could float a lot without disengaging as my bike and I got tossed around. I rarely had unitentional releases. The engagement motion was very natural -- pushing forward, rather than stepping down. And disengagement was easy and didn't require force. Also great that for $30 you can get rebuild kits with 4 new 'shells' (2/pedal). In 9 years I did eventually replace 3 of the 4 shells. What wears is the stop or spine that keeps your heel from rotating too far inward. Also the metal clip can break. Otoh, the pedal bodies are VERY durable and took a hell of a beating.
What I didn't like was that engagement didn't always come with audible click. Also didn't like that the cleats were so big -- had to dremel my Sidis which wasn't that big of a deal, but then you're walking on a lot of metal. Walking on rock (or putting foot down quickly) is probably how I kept busting the cleats. I didn't have problems disengaging when I needed to, but only when it was truly intentional; in other words, when I should have been flying over the bars, I was going with them. Also had a problem with the spine after it would wear that my heel would over-rotate to the inside and catch on my chainstay(above and below), which did cause many a near wreck.
Still and all, I rode these for 9 years and it was only the cleat durability that made me move on. I ditched them one ride before a trip to Moab, where I have visions of breaking cleats all over the place and falling down while trying to take any steps...
Value isn't really an issue to me for something so important. I will say that when I bought these in 98, $120 was expensive for pedals -- I think only Time has pricier ones. Now $120 is more middle of the pack.
I replaced these with Time ATAC XS, but just gave up on them after 9 mos as they would often (not always) release when they smacked a rock on the underside. Then I bent the bars on one side of one pedal after only 5 mos on this pair (had bearing problem with 1st pair). I'm now back to SPD as my friends haven't had near the problems that I've had on the same trails. I was very pleasantly surprised at the additional float in the XTRs, technically 1 more deg than the ATAC XS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Nystrom
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashua, NH
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Still love the pedals! | | Weaknesses: | The new-style cleats lack durability. See details below. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my earlier review of the new style cleats. After using them for a while, I've found that although I haven't had any of the engagement problems that others have reported, there are other issues:
1- The new cleat wear rapidly compared to the old style. I have old-style cleats that have years of use on them and are still usable. In contrast, my new-style cleats have worn substantially in only a few months of intermittent use.
2- The new-style cleats can break. I never had any problems with breakage with the old-style cleats, but one of the "ears" broke off one of my new-style cleats, rendering it useless.
I've dug up some old-style cleats and reinstalled them on my shoes. They engage just as easily and with a much more noticeable snap. I guess it's time to start prowling shops looking for more of these cleats. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Maple Grove, MN USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | Innovative design, lots of float, no moving parts. | | Weaknesses: | Durability. The raised plastic nub that keeps your heel from pivoting inwards wore away completely after two months of hard riding. Cleats looked like they got ran over by a truck after two days. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 520, Crank Bros Smarty | | Bike Setup: | Stock Cannondale Caffeine 2 with Shimano 520 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I give Speedplay props for a great idea, but in practice it just doesn't last. The nub is plastic, the cleat is metal; the metal won that battle pretty quickly. The guy at the shop said he'd been selling these pedals for years and I was the only one who had a problem with them. He gave me my money back, so I have no hard feelings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Twin peaks, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Snow Valley nordic ski area | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Lombardi Sports | | Strengths: | No moving parts, bombproof casing, low maintainance, lots of float. | | Weaknesses: | a little tough (but not impossible) to get into in muddy conditions | | Similar Products Used: | first clipless | | Bike Setup: | '94 GT avalanche, stock | | Bottom Line: | Overall, I have never really had a problem with these pedals. I had to replace one bearing cartridge and one cleat during 10 years of use. the little bolts on the side of the cleat neccessitated my carving away a little of the bottom of my Sidi Dominators away to get them to fit on the shoe, but other than that these pedals have been completely fuss free. However, these pedals are not for sloppy riders, I came from a roadie background and had my cadence dialed before using the frogs. I would drop off loading docks, bomb down rock and rut infested trails, you name it and my feet would stay in. If you want a pedal to do the work for you then the Frogs are not for you, but if you can keep your feet in line no matter what and appreciate a lot of knee saving float then the frogs are an awesome choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Dakota Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light weight, lots of float | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely no warning before you pop out
Horrible in snow, mud, wet dirt, gravel, anything that sticks to your shoe | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, VP, Wellgo, EggBeaters | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575 | | Bottom Line: | They work fine if you ride only in perfect weather where nothing will stick to your shoe and if you keep your feet straight all the time and have plenty of time to unclip. None of these are true for me.
I tried these for the float and to save my knees. I rode with them for an entire year before deciding I simply can't stand them. There is no spring action to warn you that you are starting to unclip. The warning doesn't actually penetrate my consciousness, but I always knew when I was going to unclip with the Shimanos and VPs and Wellgos. I was almost always surprised with the Frogs, often in dangerous situations. If you ride buff single track, this is not really an issue. If you ride anything technical, it is much better to have a spring involved that activates your subconscious to straighten your foot out before you unclip. These things scared me frequently and hurt me several times due to unexpected unclipping.
I completely understand how they work and I tried adjusting the cleat a thousand times in order to like them. I really wanted to like them. But no amount of adjusting compensates for the SURPRISE!!! YOU'RE OUT!!! that occurs when you get aggressive in technical sections. If you ride trails fit for a Zamboni, you should be fine. Anything else, get something else.
They are truely horrible if there is anything that sticks to your shoes -- soft dirt, gravel, snow, anything at all. Total nightmare to get in and out once your shoe or pedal is contaminated.
I love my Crank Bros EggBeaters. I've never been happier since I dumped the Frogs and went to the Beaters. Every ride is like a brand new bike and brand new confidence.
Which is the crux of the issue -- I totally lost confidence in my ability to predictably and reliably get in, stay in, and get out. Biking is much less fun when you're freaked out about getting into your pedals, staying in, and being able to get out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Browning
a
from Athens, Al USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle shop | | Strengths: | Good range of float. | | Weaknesses: | Accidental release. I tried everything. called speedplay. did all the suggestions. I live in South America and went home for a visit. bought the frogs before knowing of this site. If I have known of this site prior, I wouldn't have bought them. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 520's | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 | | Bottom Line: | Not worth the money for serias off road riding. Mud doesn't clear well as it is stated. Wish I could use them due to how they say they are good for your knees. But now I'm stuck in South America with pedals that are of no use. I can't buy replacement cleats here. I didn't realize how quick the cleats wore out. And buying replacements are not that cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Redmond, WA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | float and simplicity | | Weaknesses: | durability | | Similar Products Used: | Speedplay X for road. | | Bike Setup: | urban assault commuter MTB. + 1 triple road. + 1 compact road | | Bottom Line: | I've used the Frogs for about 9 years now. The original cleat for the pedal was made from cold forged parts which makes them very durable. The newer generation of cleats are made from the powder metal injection process (cheaper)and are weak pieces of crap. I'm currently shopping for a new pedal system. Don't buy the Frogs unless you are OK with replacing your cleats every 1 to 2 months. I had a set of original cleats that lasted b/w 3 and 4 years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Marsteller
a
from Niagara Falls, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | San Francisco Bay area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Shifting Gears | | Strengths: | Pedal Float | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet, you need to adjust/adapt to having so much float in the pedals. I adjusted pretty quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 939, Crank Bros. Smarty | | Bike Setup: | Scott Sub 10 | | Bottom Line: | I have a arthritic 52 year old knee. It used to be after a ride that my knee would ache after being locked into a Shimano pedal. That has now ended. Time will tell how they hold up, I do not ride serious or challenging trails. I feel pretty comfortable though that the use I will put them through, they will last. To date I have not fell out of a pedal and like how smoothly I can get off a pedal. If you have bad knees, this pedal may be the answer for you. I am currently comparing the Frog's to a pair of Crank Bros. Smarty pedals. The biggest differences so far is that I had to modify my shoes and shim the Smarty cleats to get a positive click into the Smarties. The Frogs initailly feel more positive when you are clicked in. I think the smarties cleats will need a break-in period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Nystrom
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashua, NH
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Light weight, lots of free float, easy to lube bearings, no springs or adjustments to deal with, reliable | | Weaknesses: | Clipping in can be harder than necessary at times (I'll be putting "ramps" in front of the cleats to ease entry). Not the best in mud and snow/slush/ice, but not bad either. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey's, SPDs | | Bike Setup: | '06 Jamis Dakar XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding Frogs for ~10 years and Speedplay road pedals for at least 15. I've used the same pedals and cleats on two bikes and two pairs of shoes. I recently switched to the new style cleat and haven't found any significant differences compared to the old style.
People who have problems coming out of these unexpectedly need to understand how they work. If the cleats are properly engaging the pedals, you CAN'T pull out unless you twist your foot outward. If you're having problems with that, it's likely because you're twisting your feet and you don't realize it. If you tend to pedal "pigeon toed", that can cause releases, too. I realize this doesn't solve the problem and the pedals may simply not be right for you. They're just incompatible with some pedaling styles, but that doesn't make them a bad product.
Cleat setup also makes a difference. If you adjust your cleats so you feel the inner stop at the the innermost position that you normally pedal in, you'll get maximum engagement to the outside. If you just slap them on your shoes without paying attention to getting the optimum angle, you won't get the best results.
I haven't experienced the issue one poster described with certain shoe soles that require shimming the elastomer under the cleat, but it makes sense based on the design of the pedal. If you can pull out straight backward, that's probably what's happening.
Personally, I've had none of these problems and apparently the majority of others posting reviews haven't either. If you're one of the exceptions, either troubleshoot the problem and fix it or resign yourself to the fact that they just don't work for you. I've tried pedals that didn't work well for me, but I didn't feel the need to trash them because of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Smith
a Racer
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Store Too | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Constant accidental releases. Cleats wear out fast. Always out of adjustment resulting in slop with pedal cleat interface. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey, Look, and Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed softail and Azonic FS w\Fox forks and XTR | | Bottom Line: | I hate these pedals more than I can put in words!!
I have had these for six months and have already gone through one set of $40.00 cleats. I have messed with these things just about every ride since I bought them and they still release for no reason no matter what kind of riding you are doing.
If your doing a hard technical climb or fast single track one of you feet will come out for no reason. Like another poster, I too pedal in circles and have found that on the pull back stroke the pedal will release at some point due to the scrawny little lip at the front of the cleat.
If you twist your foot ever so slightly, Ooops! Slips out yet again. Technical section where you get bounced around, People will look at you as if you lost your mind as you cuss at your pedals!!!
Mine also develope a click on the up and down stroke due to slop which occurs as the cleat wears out, so much for sneaking up on your competition or enjoying the sounds of nature.
I had a set of Ritchey pedals prior to this for 7 years and never had a complaint, plus I only changed the $20.00 cleats twice. Its absurd to spend this much on a pedal system and have such inferior performance.
I have speedplay zeros on my roadbike and love them. I really thought the frogs would be as good. I read some of the reviews and discounted some who warned against these pedals only to regret it later. If your thinking of buying these, Buyer beware. Your walking into an expensive mistake. These things SUCK!!!!
Its worth putting 25 -100 grams back on my bike to save hours of frustration.
I hope someone on ebay will buy these stupid things after this review. Sorry Tom Ritchey, I'll be back as a loyal customer soon.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Fleischmann
a Weekend Warrior
from Scott Fepot, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Van Fleet Trail, Green Swamp, FL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | John's Cyclery, St. Albans, WV | | Strengths: | Lots for free Float. Easy on my knees. At first, it feels like walking on ice, but after a couple of rides the feeling is heavenly! Fairly easy and sure engagement. Effortless disengagement. Bulletproof and simple. I ride a road bike, but prefer walkable shoes. The regular Speedplay road pedals and cleats are not compatible with MTB shoes, so my LBS recommended the Speedplay Frogs. I use MTB shoes (Diadora Jalapenos). Be sure to get the upgraded cleats, with the little ramp in the insert! If your frogs don't come with the new cleat inserts, contact (speedplay.com) tech support, who can provide you with more info, and may be able to send them to you for free. The ramp definitely improved engagement. Once you properly install your cleats, the frogs are 100% trustworthy and reliable. After almost 20 years of SPD's, I love my new frogs! | | Weaknesses: | The small square cleat insert, which has a flexible rubber (eleastomer) base that aids in secure engagement, must securely contact the sole. Some shoes, depending on flex and sole composition, may require (as mine did) an extra shim under the cleat insert. This shim can be made easily by cutting a small square from a plastic coffee can lid. Without the shim, the cleat insert may not hold the cleat securely engaged, and may allow premature disengagement. Very frustrating. The extra shim, as described above, solved the problem instantly and completely. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD, LOOK | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5200, TFI Seat, Ultegra Triple, Easton ES90 Carbon fiber Bars, Flight Deck computer, Diadora Jalapeno shoes. | | Bottom Line: | Get the frogs, install the cleats properly, and you are good to go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Medina, OH
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Century Cycles | | Strengths: | Dependable, Durable, and Easy to use! | | Weaknesses: | A little high maintenance as you have to keep them greased, but thats not really a weakness. Just something to remember. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Diamond Back WCF Vertex. Mix of LX and XT parts. | | Bottom Line: | These were my first set of clipless pedals and I have been happy with them since the day I got them. They were great as a beginner pedal and still hold strong as I have gotten better. I've never had a single problem with them. You just have to make sure you do as the manufacturer says and keep them greased. They are easy to get in and out of any pretty much any trail I have ridden. These are a great upgrade to any bike and I highly recommend them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance
a Weekend Warrior
from Alberta
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Powderface | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Float, Zero retention force, Can take a real pounding. | | Weaknesses: | Really sticky mud gums them up. | | Bike Setup: | RM ETSX | | Bottom Line: | The first time I rode with them I had the same problems that others are describing....but it was just user error. Make sure you align the cleats properly, keep em lubed and all is well. Not enough air in your shock and it bottems out all the time thats not the shock manufactures fault its yours. Same goes for the Frogs. All I know is these things saved my knees (they are only 25 but not much left) If mud is more of an issue or float isn't as important I'd give the Crank Bros a try(they kill my knees on anything but a 15min ride) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared
a Weekend Warrior
from Rapid City SD USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Scheels | | Strengths: | Man these things are strong for being plastic. I didn't think they would last that long. | | Weaknesses: | None, well a little I guess. SOMETIMES not all the time you do occasionally clip out unintentionally, BUT its opperater error, and a minor adjustmnet on the set screw fixs the problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Faith 3 | | Bottom Line: | Best dang plastic pedals ever. Man these things are awesome. I got them for one reason only, the float. I have bad knees for soccer injury's and track, and the things are so comfortable. I didn't think they would last a year, all that beating, but finally today, they crapped out. Don't know what those guys below me are talking about, must not know how to adjust :). But I never had a problem at all with these pedals, till today. The metal rings on the plastic body finally pulled out, which is quit neat actually, cuz I didn't think they'd last that long against all those rocks, trees, stumps, ROCKS. But yep they did, and now I have to buy a body kit or just maybe new stainless pedals. AWESOME Value for outer body being plastic! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lynne
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Hi-Tech Bikes | | Strengths: | Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to clip out of intentionally. Easy to clip out unintentionally. | | Similar Products Used: | First mtn bike pedals.
Road: speedplay - awesome. spd. | | Bottom Line: | If you like to pedal in full circles, these are terrible. Kept coming out of these at random times. Sometimes just on a flat inconsequential part of trail, other times not so inconsequential. very frustrating.
Also, if you like to twist your foot sideways (like I do on the road), good luck coming out regularly. My knee is still cut up and bruised from Sunday's ride and not being able to get my foot out in time (or at all) to catch myself. These will be traded in for something with a little more history. Speedplay makes great road pedals, just not mountain ones from what I've experienced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$105.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike One | | Strengths: | Light weight, easy to get into and out of, simple design. | | Weaknesses: | Price, but other than that nothing. | | Bottom Line: | These are my first clipless pedals and I love them. I have never had any problems with not being able to get out of them. They have never come unclipped when I didn't want them to. I had a crash last weekend where I went over the handle bars and I was able to clip out almost effortlessly. These pedals are a great choice for a beginner. I've heard that if you have had normal clipless pedals that they're a little difficult to get used to, but once you learn them they are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great float, easy entry/exit. | | Weaknesses: | Cleats self destruct every 2-3 months with regular use. Cleats are expensive! | | Similar Products Used: | SPD, Time | | Bike Setup: | Turner 5-spot | | Bottom Line: | I'd love to love these pedals! The float is incomparable. The cleat implosions noted above however, seem to happen at the most inopportune times (the "tab" simply disappears)which leaves you banging shins on a rapidly revolving pedal. With a life span of 2-4 months, and $35 price-tag, its required, but financially impracticable to carry a back-up pair of cleats.
Speedplay--any plans for improvement? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas, texas
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | mechanically simple, lots of float, rugged, good in mud or ice, inexpensive on ebay | | Weaknesses: | occasionally impossible to clip out of - many injuries | | Similar Products Used: | time atac, crank bros candy | | Bike Setup: | crosscountry mtn bike and road | | Bottom Line: | I have had about 5 pr of these on 4 or 5 different bikes, road and mountain.
I love them and hate them. They offer more float than any pedal. They clip in easily. They are bullet proof.
However, I have now had about my 5th injury that I attribute to not clipping out in time and I am switching to another pedal. They problem is inherent in their design. They have zero clip in or clip out force as long as your foot is in the correct angle to clip in or out. The problem is that they occasionally jam in some way when clipping out.
If you:
1) rotate too far before removing your foot
2) rotate inward rather than outward (one foot will do this with a fall)
3) don't rotate far enough
then they WILL NOT UNCLIP.
I have had one left knee injury due to twisting when falling to the right (left foot heal rotate inward = NO CLIP OUT), multiple small falls in sand or when stalling out on a hard climb due to no clip out and finally this last week I nearly broke my finger and elbow when the left pedal would not clip out (not enough rotation).
I think they are great pedals but I am writing this review to update my prior evaluations. In the small percentage of times when you cannot CLIP OUT the consequences can be terrible. I'm going back to a pedal that will always clip out like the Time.
You can dremel the inner tab from the pedal to allow them to clip out with internal rotation. I have done this and it allows for more clip out potential with heal toward the bike rotation (other pedals like Time to this anyway, but not frog). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Newsome
a Cross Country Rider
from Moreno Valley
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Lt and Rt Forks @ Brianshead | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Easy to care for. Light, Reliable, easy in and out. Had major knee surgery in '99 these made pain go away. Floats amazing and generous. Pedals never need cleaning, only minimal maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic body, loves skin. Fair in mud but why are people riding in mud?? Unfortunately cleats have moving parts and unlike the pedal itself thats a minus. | | Similar Products Used: | Times, SPD's | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS nearing its death.... | | Bottom Line: | Find them on sale. Be realistic in your expectations of what clipless pedals are really intended for. As long as you pedal in a rotational (circle) direction you wont experience serious problems, if its technical stuff you want then these arent for you due to the protruding pedal metal and plastic body. Although the release is almost instrinct the trade off (safety and durability)for rides that require alot of dabbing isnt worth it. Great pedal though for xc and knee concerns. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | easely lubed , ease of getting in and out, easey cleaning while on the trail in muddy conditions, quality of product, great for cranky knees | | Weaknesses: | none, any failure on the trail was due to operator error | | Similar Products Used: | first and only clipless for both road and mtb | | Bike Setup: | road: centurion, ultegra groupo
mtb: palomino, xt, hayes hydraulic | | Bottom Line: | I've been using the mtb frogs on my roadie for approx. 9yrs. Got them for my knees (amt. of float) and my knees have been very happy ever since. Plus they were lighter, had a higher cornering angle than any roadie clipless at the time and have a good size platform. Averaged close to 4000 miles per year in Boston area. No mechanical issues and I haven't replaced the cleats on my road shoes...yet.
When I got into mtbing I used my roadie (mtb frogs) pedals on the mtb. Got tired (lazy) of switching the pedals, so I purchased more frogs. Rode them in Boston year round on and off the road. I was diligent about lubing and cleaning. Moved to Atlanta 6 yrs ago...so lets mention MUD. Yeah, I've had some issues w/the cleat, pedals and mud. So I try not to dab, w/out much success. I find the cleats and pedals easily cleaned though when I do load them up. Ride w/folks that have various types of pedals, i.e. egg beaters, shimano. They don't have any fewer issues w/the mud. But is there a clipless out there that's 100% in muddy conditions? Can't speak about the extreme technical some of you folks do....for I'm an "old" xc'er that stays w/in my boundaries and they handle that box well. I'm on my 3rd pair of cleats w/the mtb shoes. Should only be 2.....lost a cleat due to loose screws. My fault, hadn't checked in awhile, yes I use lock tite now. Price...a little shocked at first, but after 9yrs of use....well worth the price for quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a
from Temecula, Ca., USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | See bottom line. | | Similar Products Used: | Egg Beaters | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are just plain inferior. I liked the idea of a very stong light pedal, but this set up wasn't it. I never felt locked in and my feet came out of the pedals when not intended. Even with these shortcommings I might have struggled along hoping to find a magic adjustment that would solve these issue's. But, then came the rains and therefore mud. One thing the mud did was allow me to tell you everything you need to know about these pedels in two words COMPLETELY USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | mikes bikes | | Strengths: | smooth operation,once eveything is adjusted right... | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | various pedals | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum tubing, wheels , some rubber , various odds & ends to make it come together & ME to drive it forward... | | Bottom Line: | these are great pedals !!! 'nuff said!
one note : while tinkering around ,i found a GREAT lube for the pedal pontoon & cleat interface! "DOOR-EASE" stick lubricant...... application seems to last quite a while & doesn't attract trail or road crap.
just burnish the pontoons only with the stick...
I have tried others lubes like Purple extreme ,progold & various others & NOTHING i have found works or lasts near as long ..... Incidentally , i have been using Purple Extreme on chain & i ran out went back to progold & have found that an application of progold doesn't even last half as long as purple extreme applications.
these "bicyle specific" lubricants are nothing but an overinflated rip-off!
I give 3 turds to "value rating" because i think they are OVERLY priced along with cleats... but a GREAT system
would give 10 turds for "overall rating"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason D'Antonio
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA USA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Kenosha Pass, Colorado | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Littleton Cyclery | | Strengths: | an extremely light and bombproof pedal. GREASE PORT - very easy to maintain and relubricate the spindle. provides good crank clearance. excellent for all riding conditions including mud. | | Weaknesses: | click out too easily on technical. too much wobble on fast descents. cleat does not always click in reliably. | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey, shimano 515 | | Bike Setup: | ibis mojo ti, full xtr, marzocchi bomber 2001, race face turbine cranks, v-brakes, thomson stem and post, blah, blah, blah | | Bottom Line: | frogs are much better than the red ritchey pedals from years ago. it took time to get use to the float but the easy release was so much better than getting stuck in the shimano 515. i can bash the hell out of these pedals, smash them into logs - no worries! easy to maintain - love that grease port! they are so kind to the knees too. however, over ther years, the float has proven too unpredictable for riding tricky technical roots, logs and rocks. i come out of the pedals too easily, especially riding technical sections and rocky climbs. the float can be unassuring on fast, unstable downhills. beginners and intermediate riders should get these, but advanced riders might need more assurance and hold on the foot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason D'Antonio
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA USA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Kenosha Pass, Colorado | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Littleton Cyclery | | Strengths: | an extremely light and bombproof pedal. GREASE PORT - very easy to maintain and relubricate the spindle. provides good crank clearance. excellent for all riding conditions including mud. | | Weaknesses: | click out too easily on technical. too much wobble on fast descents. cleat does not always click in reliably. | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey, shimano 515 | | Bike Setup: | ibis mojo ti, full xtr, marzocchi bomber 2001, race face turbine cranks, v-brakes, thomson stem and post, blah, blah, blah | | Bottom Line: | frogs are much better than the red ritchey pedals from years ago. it took time to get use to the float but the easy release was so much better than getting stuck in the shimano 515. i can bash the hell out of these pedals, smash them into logs - no worries! easy to maintain - love that grease port! they are so kind to the knees too. however, over ther years, the float has proven too unpredictable for riding tricky technical roots, logs and rocks. i come out of the pedals too easily, especially riding technical sections and rocky climbs. the float can be unassuring on fast, unstable downhills. beginners and intermediate riders should get these, but advanced riders might need more assurance and hold on the foot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris McCall
a Cross Country Rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | ape canyon/smith crk epic | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | recycled cycles | | Strengths: | Great on my road bike for a year. | | Weaknesses: | Put them on my Giant NRS and my feet kept coming out on a technical ascent near Randle, WA on an ORTV trail. Each time I tried to torque the pedal upwards to get over an obstical my foot came off the pedal. Very frustrating. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano MD 545 | | Bike Setup: | giant nrs 1, 02 | | Bottom Line: | They are great for non technical riding. There is a lot of float which pampers my aging knees.
For technical cross-country riding they are very unreliable.
Mud clearance isn't nearly as good as I thought it would be and my feet came off the pedals frequently while trying to ride up technical, loose rocky ascents.
These will go back on my road bike and I'll try crank brothers mallet-c.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeep_Nut
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | - All pedals work, these work when they are muddy.
- Easily greaseable makes me take care of these more often.
- Useable platfrom. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | SPDs and clones, BeBops, ATACs | | Bike Setup: | Blur w/X.O and Chameleon w/XTR | | Bottom Line: | When I moved to a mud area a few years ago I needed new pedals. I tried some SPDs I had in a box, then a couple of pairs of SPD clones I had laying around, then some ATACs. The ATACs worked pretty good but the cleats wore out quickly and I bought some Frogs to see how they worked. I don't remember how much I paid for them, I have the regular cromo ones.
Um....4 years later I am still on the Frogs. I did replace the cleats once. If these pedals explode one day I will replace them with some more Frogs. When I started to build up a road bike I went straight to Speedplay for pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Alhambra, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$104.00 | | Purchased At: | InCycle | | Strengths: | easy to get in and out of. great design. simple design. light weight. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano m959
shimano spd m959 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-Works Epic M5 | | Bottom Line: | great pedal. no spring tension to overcome. the design is so simple, you have to see it and understand how it works to appreciate the design. i noticed when the spd pedals got a little dirt in them they would jam. or when i needed to bail out, you had to over come the spring force, well with the frogs there is no spring tension, so its cake getting out of them and we all know when we are tired and on a technical trail some pedals can be fustrating when you topple over. Buy them, i dont think you will be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob M
a Cross Country Rider
from Palo Alto, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Ease of exit, total free float, weight, ease of set-up. | | Weaknesses: | Occasional difficulties in wet conditions with mechanism getting gummed up. Very easy to clean with a couple wipes of the finger if needed. | | Similar Products Used: | ATACs, Eggbeaters, Shimano Crap 515 | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 90, Hayes El Camino disc brakes, Mavic Crossmax wheels, Monkey Lite bars | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE these pedals. If you have any knee problems or ride technical stuff and like to be able to exit your pedals effortlessly, these are your babies. At first the total free float felt like I had icecubes for pedals, but it didn't take long for the novelty to wear off, and they just felt good and natural after that. In other pedals, your knees have to fight a spring mechanism as your feet try to go through their normal motion, and, of course, you have to fight that spring even more to exit the pedals. With Frogs, your knees can do anything they need to (if you read the directions and set the cleats up properly), and there is literally no resistance to exiting the pedal. The only time they have ever accidentally released is when they were gritted up with wet sand. If I were going to do a long ride or a race in such conditions, I might use Eggbeaters just for that ride. Eggbeaters are a great pedal also if your knees don't mind being bossed around. The knob on the inside of the pedal that keeps you from rotating your heels into the bike is also nice because when you jump or get banged around on a descent, you can heel-in to the bike for an added feeling of security. Excellent product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Huber
a Weekend Warrior
from Plano, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | RCP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$128.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Excellent Float, very knee friendly. Ease of use. Short confidence learning curve. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap KORE GASS pedals, Time ATAC. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Joshua F4, standard setup. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding my cheap pedals for 2 years now, and because of knee injuries, the Frog's were a MUST HAVE! After talking to fellow riders with them, I decided to dish out the cash. What a change!! Super feel, excellent float (FREEDOM!), very easy to get in/out of (in mud, sand, etc.) I had Richardson Bike Mart set them up when I bought them (actually, they offered, so I let 'em!), and haven't had any problems with the Frog II cleats. I've been able to get out every time I've needed, which is a huge plus! I have no experience with the older cleats, so therefore I have no qualms with these. I say, GO BUY 'EM! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ash absalom
a
from oakland,ca, 94611
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | heavan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | wheels of justice. | | Strengths: | Light weight, simple desighn, do not have to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | When people ask me why i have delt with these peadals for so long I do not know what to say. The cleats on these pedals are the worst set up that I have seen any manufufacure produce. These pedals work ok in dusty conditions, but come mud season time you might as well give up.
Another weackness this product has is that sometime you do not know if you are clipped in. I have raced a couple time on these and that is just time that one can not afford to loose! | | Similar Products Used: | shimano m959, titiec pedals, (nearly all of them ) | | Bike Setup: | exremly light rocky mountain | | Bottom Line: | Stick with shimano or even titec. These pedals are just not worth the struggle and pain you have to exsperience to use them.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ash absalom
a
from oakland,ca, 94611
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | heavan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | wheels of justice. | | Strengths: | Light weight, simple desighn, do not have to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | When people ask me why i have delt with these peadals for so long I do not know what to say. The cleats on these pedals are the worst set up that I have seen any manufufacure produce. These pedals work ok in dusty conditions, but come mud season time you might as well give up.
Another weackness this product has is that sometime you do not know if you are clipped in. I have raced a couple time on these and that is just time that one can not afford to loose! | | Similar Products Used: | shimano m959, titiec pedals, (nearly all of them ) | | Bike Setup: | exremly light rocky mountain | | Bottom Line: | Stick with shimano or even titec. These pedals are just not worth the struggle and pain you have to exsperience to use them.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Weez
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | No retention springs - cna get out in split seconds - good float for knees | | Weaknesses: | sometimes mud can pack into cleat and u think u are clipped in - just need toget in habit of twisting heel gd to carve out mud and ensure clip in | | Similar Products Used: | spd's, egg beaters | | Bike Setup: | Maverick, Dean, Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | I have used these for almost 7 yrs. I have tried other models such as the eggbeaters (which i hated - lusy to clip out of in comparison) and several spd's. These are without a doubt my favorite and will never leave my bike. They are just the ultimate in getting out fast cause of no retention springs. Plus, i have bashed these thing and have never come close to breaking them. They are also very,very light, only slightly heavier than the the eggbeater ti's but have a real, independant sided platform. Just a great pedal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, CA
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Hole In the Ground | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Float. Easy clip in - Easy clip out. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. (I was worried about mud based on reading some reviews, but clipping in has been easy even in really thick sac valley muck.) | | Similar Products Used: | egg beaters, spd, ritchey | | Bike Setup: | Ventana El Toro single-speed w/Fox F100X, White Industries wheelset, Shimano disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | These pedals have worked well for me so far. I ride my single speed on everything (road rides, cross country rides, downhill rides, muddy rides, dry rides, mtb duathlons, etc.) and they have performed flawlessly in each situation. It did take me a few days to get how to clip in but once I read the instructions (on the fourth day!) clipping in became very easy and natural. Also, setting up the cleats took maybe 10 minutes and was very easy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Myron
a
from Issaquah
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Told MacDonald | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Strengths: | Love the float! Easy to clip in and clip out! | | Weaknesses: | Not as good in the mud compared to other brands. | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC | | Bike Setup: | Turner 5 Spot | | Bottom Line: | I have bad knees, so the Frogs work great for me. Also, there is no spring retention when clipping out, thus clippipng out is effortless. Though this product is somewhat good in the mud, it still does get some mud which requires cleaning even during a ride. Highly recommended for those with bad knees or doesn't like having a retention spring. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from California
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Easiest pedal to get into; easiest pedal to get out of. Resistance-free float. Tiny, lightweight, ultra-simple design. Bulletproof and mudproof. Adjustable. Very kind to knees. | | Weaknesses: | No covers for cleats (so you don't damage hardwood floors when you're walking). Speedplay makes covers for their other models, but not the frogs. This won't be a problem with some shoes, but the frog cleats stick out just enough to cause a problem. | | Bottom Line: | I did a lot of research before buying these pedals, but my decision to buy them came down to the effort required to clip in and clip out.
Most other pedal designs require a good amount of force to clip in and even more (rotational) force to clip out. Speedplays, on the other hand, use a "bayonet" mount (like some 35mm camera lens hoods), which means you can unclip by simply rotating your heels out. No springs, no resistance, no effort, no hassle. You can get out in a split second, which is one of the most important things in a clipless pedal.
The traditional clip-in method is to mount the pedal, point your toes down, and push. A small elastomer (spring) in the cleat provides some resistance until you hear a "click." But the aforementioned bayonet-style mount also means you can clip in by rotating your heels out, sliding forward, and then rotating in; basically, the opposite of clipping out. It's the only pedal I'm aware of that allows resistance-free clip-in and effortless clip-out.
The "float" (the amount of rotational freedom afforded by the pedal) is provided, again, by the bayonet mount. Your feet can rotate freely about 20 degrees (more than any other pedal, I think); any more, and they release. There is zero lateral (side-to-side) float, which in my humble opinion, is a blessing for your knees. Best of all, they're adjustable (unlike most other pedals); just rotate the SPD-mount cleats to change the release angle.
I have a pair of frogs on my recumbent bike, and the effortless design means it's a snap to get in and release; this is essential, given the fact that I can't *stand* on the pedals like I can on a diamond-frame (upright) bike.
After riding my frogs for about a year, I can't imaging hassling with any of those spring-loaded deathtrap designs. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodinville, WA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | one with dirt on it | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Simplicity, maintenance, light weight, float, ease of use, ease of entry and disengagement. I have used both the old style and new style cleats and frankly do not know what all the fuss is about on this list. Afteall,this is not rocket science. I have found both types comparable in terms of engagement/disengagement. | | Weaknesses: | The internal bearings eventually wear. I have about 1000 hours of trail use on these in the often times muddy Pacific Northwest. Greasing the internals helps retard the wear but eventually it happens. Hopefully I can order a rebuild kit. Ocassionally (not often) in muddy conditions, you can experience a false click-in that disengages under stress or technical conditions. Of course, this is never a good time to have this happen. | | Bike Setup: | Rock Hopper soon to be Yeti AS-575. | | Bottom Line: | A little on the pricey side but a solid investment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Burtonsville, MD
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shops | | Strengths: | simple design - no springs to worry about | | Weaknesses: | bearings will fail
body is plastic albeit tough plastic | | Similar Products Used: | all up until the crank bros appeared | | Bike Setup: | 22.5lb large Stumpy | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding Frogs since they were called Magnums. I've been through 5 pair over the years and am going to get another on my next bike (the first ALL new bike I've had in over a decade). I have knee issues (too much skiing and skateboarding as a teen) and the Frogs are the only pedals that completely eliminate any pressure on my knees. With the introduction of the Frog, Speedplay fabbed in a stop that keeps you from being able to rotate your heel into your rear wheel. The first thing I do with these pedals is to file that off as it totally negates the free float benefits.
The bearings do wear out if you submerse the pedals often enough. Even if you re-lube them. I've worked in shops for many years so would always get warranty replacements. I've gone through 4 bearing sets, and cracked one body, but that's with serious east coast rocky riding/racing. I don't have the shop employee advantage anymore, but I will gladly pay retail for another set of these. They aren't as easy to get into in the mud as Speedplay would lead you to believe, but they're much better than the SPD types. They aren't the smallest, or lightest, but they are hands down the best pedals to get if elimating knee pain is part of your desires in a pedal. Never a problem to get out of either as there's no spring tension to overcome. Just twist and lift up. If you're used to spring type "twist 'till it pops out" action you may have issues at first as just twisting won't get you free. You have to actualy lift your foot up after you twist.
I'm giving a lower value rating because I think they could be better sealed, have a larger diameter spindle supported by larger bearings for better long term durability. If you only ride on nice days and rarely encounter deep streams these will last. Also, the cleats wear out a couple times a year (again due to wear from dirt and grime). I replace them almost as often as my chain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Float! | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race | | Bottom Line: | I got Speedplay Frogs because I wanted the float to ease the load on my gimpy knee. The wide, frictionless float may not be for everyone, but it made an instant difference for me and my moody knee. An added bonus: Easier out which is great for NYC traffic. I bike commute to work so that makes a big difference to me. My take on the price: Worth every penny, the smartest pedal designer on the block is entitled to charge a few extra bucks for his genius. A word of warning to all: Stay away from bargain SPDs. I went 5 years on some Bontragers with no problems and then aggravated my knee with the $25 dollar house brand that had sticky action and no float. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Greene
a Cross Country Rider
from Overland Park, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | BuRP, Kill Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source | | Strengths: | Easy in, Easy out, and plenty of float for anyone with bad knees | | Weaknesses: | Having to cut the soles of your shoes to fit the pedals | | Similar Products Used: | SPD | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE, Fox TALAS, XTR Cranks, derailers, Thompson Stem and seatpost, XT shifters (high normal), Easton carbon monkey lite rister bar, Mavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | I can understand some of the problems people have had with the new cleats, mud, etc. If cleat doesn't have the right clearance or is not centered in the shoe properly the Frogs will give you fits on the trail. Once you get them centered and adjusted, they work flawlessly. I love them. Before the Frogs I was the poster child for why you should never buy a clippless pedal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilla
a Cross Country Rider
from Evil
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Got from friend | | Strengths: | They are tops. Tons of float, Easy to clip in. Easy to maintain, Easy to buy parts for, Sold feel. | | Weaknesses: | Wish they were cheaper but you pay for quality | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: | 1x1, king, rf, spot, | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had the problems everyone has had here. The only problem I have had was, i wore out the cleat. I do like the older cleats better only because if you commute with these pedals there is more material( the mushrooms ) to walk on. I got these used and they rock. I have talked to many people and they love them. I highly reccomend them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Chin
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on a used bike that I bought | | Strengths: | Easy to unclip. Small, neat-looking pedal. Moving parts are in the cleat, if they break you don't have to replace the pedals. Comfortable to ride with normal shoes. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive to buy new, probably wouldn't have purchased these pedals if they hadn't come on the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper hardtail | | Bottom Line: | These are my first pair of clipless pedals. While learning to use them, I did not fall a single time. Unclipping requires no thought, yet they stay attached to your feet up and down the mountain. The float is nice, pedaling feels completely natural. They ride pretty wel in normal shoes too. I often ride the bike around in my flip flops.
I took off a chili because they cost so much new. Can't imaigne them performing any better though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Byrne Timothy
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Jack's Pass | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS: Velo on Cap Hill | | Strengths: | Simplicity, easy on the knees, super fast release, great energy transfer (minimal hot-spot). They seem very rugged. Work well as touring pedals. | | Weaknesses: | Not for the mechanically averse: tricky to install and adjust, limited range of places it can sit on the shoe. The float makes it easy to rub the toes up against the crank (heels out - toes in on the upstroke). Also they require regular dry-lubing (metal on metal will wear them down if you don't). | | Similar Products Used: | Look 5.1 cranked out to max free float. | | Bike Setup: | REI Novara Randonee with original everything mostly. Cheap Shimano MTB shoes. | | Bottom Line: | Great road pedals for folks who spend time off the bike and like recessed SPD shoes. The float saves your knees, and the bigger cleat saves your feet. They also release effortlessly and quickly, including falls. (It's almost magic really - you find yourself on the ground fully detached from the bike before you know it.) They do require a good deal of adjusting to get them to work perfectly. This cleat is no harlot, you can't just put down your money, screw, and be on your way. :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Weekend Warrior
from dallas,tx
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Great pedal, company support is above any other that I've worked with. | | Weaknesses: | new cleat so far. will see after updated one come in. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano, welgo | | Bike Setup: | yeti 575 all the standard items great ride | | Bottom Line: | Whish they still made the old cleat, but it is a great comp. and great product.
This is a follow up reveiw, the comp. has been great in working with me on the cleat problem I am having. Looks like mine may have been one onf the first runs of the new cleat. They are sending me out new ones and hopefully this will end my troubles. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Thailand
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Easy in and out, light weight, float, customer service. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Time, etc. | | Bike Setup: | NRS Air w/ 5th air, F80X, Hayes, Thomson, Easton, FROGS! | | Bottom Line: | My wife and I have used these pedals for over five years. Six sets between us on mtb and road bikes. The pedals have always worked great in all conditions. Customer service is excellent! Special thanks to Chan who helped me set up the Frog 2 cleats. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Falls Church, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | tons of float, lightweight, low maintenance, servicable, excellent manufacturer customer service | | Weaknesses: | fragile plastic body, cleats slip easily if not installed perfectly, cost | | Similar Products Used: | Wellgo SPD | | Bike Setup: | '98 Mt Tam hardtail, Fox Forx F80X, Avid V-brakes, XTR/XT combo, about 24.5lbs | | Bottom Line: | My right knee is turned slightly outwards. The float in this pedal allows me to pedal with my right foot slightly toed out and still stay connected. Most other pedals require feet to point forwards. I used to have knee aches before these pedals. They are just as easy to snap into as any other pedal once you get accustomed to them. People who ride them a couple of times and proclaim them too difficult to snap into are not patient enough.
I cracked one of the plastic cases on the left pedal and Speedplay is shipping me a new set of cases for about $40. These pedals are servicable, which is a huge cost savings over time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randall
a
from Roseville, CA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Horse Canyon (Silver Lake, CA) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Road Bike Review | | Strengths: | Light (213 g. Ti version) cleats (45g Frog II). Easy to get in and out. Works great in dry conditions. Theorically the cleat never will wear out. Easy to lube. Black body hides scratches well. Pedal engagement ring holds up under lots of abuse. Abundant float is great. No look entry is great. No hot spots on feet. | | Weaknesses: | Does not work in mud! regardless of what Speedplay says. If you inadvertently twist your foot out too much your foot will come out suddenly. Fine tuning the set screw on the cleat can be frustrating. | | Similar Products Used: | ATAC's, Scott SPD, BeBop | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Ventana El Fuego | | Bottom Line: | I've had a love-hate relationship with these pedals. I made the mistake of using them during a muddy race and had to use them like flat pedals in order to finish the race. I put them on my road bike and they worked fine until I stepped into some wet gravel/mud along the road and they clogged up. Tried spreading Pedro's Extra Dry lube on them but to no avail. I've come to the conclusion that they will be used for dry racing conditions only. For muddy conditions I'll put on my reliable and heavy ATAC's. They will go back on my road bike after the racing season since no other road pedal is as light, dependable, and wears as well in my estimation. Tip: The best way I have found to set the screw in the cleat is to find a 1/8" wide strip of plastic that is .25 mm thick. With the cleat off the shoe engage the pedal in the cleat and check the clearance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd k
a
from dallas,tx
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | great pedal and old cleat worked great too | | Weaknesses: | old cleat broke and had to use new one from my newer set of pedals. wow the new cleat is just not the same at all. clipping in did not work correctly and once i got that to work getting out does not work correct, fell over and was not able to release. will be getting crank brothers or time unless i find some of the old cleats. | | Bottom Line: | old cleats wonderful, new stuff s**t. would not buy again due to new cleats. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scot
a Cross Country Rider
from freeland wa whidbey island
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | local trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | bike swap meet | | Strengths: | lots of float ,stainless steel and coposit body will not rust.light wight also reliable no moiving parts other then barings wich have grees ports . | | Weaknesses: | They will take some time to get use to. If you have been useing spd type .The engagment is difrent insted of pushing down;You push forward as if scraping mud off your shoe. | | Similar Products Used: | spd,welgo,time | | Bike Setup: | khs pro with manitou fork ,xt ,lx, raceface and mavic DT wheels | | Bottom Line: | If you have sore knees or would like to save your knees for years of riding to come. I would recomnd buying a pair.They do take some time to get use to ;But I was able to ride a lot more. I got a good deal on mine some people hate all that float.so you mite be able to finde apair second hand;Other wise You could spend 130- 180 msrp. Compard to other pedals the frogs are easy to maintian. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Gross
a Cross Country Rider
from Paradise Valley, AZ
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Submarine Rock Loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | E-bay | | Strengths: | Easy in, easy out, massive float, lightweight, bombproof | | Weaknesses: | Cleats can be a little difficult to install and tighten properly (old cleats - no experience with the dreaded new cleats) - if you overtighten, the spring mechanism won't work, undertighten and you'll lose a cleat on the trail. Only other "weakness" I could list would be that on more technical terrain, ATAC's have a more solid, "clipped in" feel that inspires a little more confidence in the connection between your feet and the bike. With multiple knee surgeries, I'll sacrifice that solid connection for the float in a second. | | Similar Products Used: | I've ridden everything except Crank Bros.
| | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Mt. Tam with many custom/upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I've ridden everything but Crank Bros., and will say these are the best, hands down. Spd pedals are a pain to get into and if you ride any kind of technical terrain your feet will come free constantly (at least if you're 6'3", 195 lbs) - get mud in them, it's all over. They would be great for new riders who need to unclip quickly and frequently, but I've never found a new rider who could clip into them. I love ATAC's - for me, easy in and solid feel are great. With my size, getting out is pretty easy, but panic unclips can still be a little sketchy. For smaller riders, getting in can be a little difficult, and getting out can be a real effort.
Bottom line for me - getting in is simple for both ATAC's and Frogs, probably easier with Frogs as little pressure is needed to engage the cleat (anyone with the old cleats who can't get clipped in probably shouldn't be riding a bike), getting out is clearly easier with the Frogs (especially for smaller riders), Frogs are just as, if not more durable, they are lighter, and infinitely better on your knees with the float. If your knees are bombproof and you ride mostly downhill clipped in, go with ATAC's, otherwise ride the Frogs!
p.s. - I've never had a mud clearance problem with either pedal, but I could see the ATAC's clearing a little better in hard slop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ash Absalom
a Racer
from oakland,ca,
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | wheels of justice | | Strengths: | I love the easy entry and exit. The peadals are a simple desing that this not complicated and can also take a beating. Lighter than almost all moutain bike peadals. New frog 2 cleats seemm to work pretty well. | | Weaknesses: | When going on a trail and there is a miny drop off, it is diffucult to get that last boost to your drive train. I believe it is because of the float. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano spd, crank bros ect | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain insintct w frog peadals, fsa components, race face cranks, xtr set up. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great peadal because it takes off a consideral amount of weight. I just bought the peadl today and went to the local park to practice shills on. I have bad knees but these solve the problem.
Use these peadals if you want to get the extra edge on your next race or just want to put some weight off of the bike. I have been riging clipless for years but I can imagine the entry/exit being diffucult for the begginer. Though I have been riding and racing for a long time with clipless I still need to get out of the habit of pushing down with my foot, as i would with the spd set up. Other wise I am excited to getting to know this peadl better. I will update my review in another month or so. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manny
a
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Easy entry (for me).
Easy Exit (for me).
Simple design. | | Weaknesses: |
** CHECK BELOW ** | | Bottom Line: | SPEEDPLAY,
Maybe you should listen to your consumer base about the Frog pedals, and the FROG II cleats!
Offer both models of cleats, as replacement parts. You'll have your answer as to what works best for your loyal, albeit, restless CUSTOMERS!!!
It feels like there's not enough float with the FROG II cleats. The older style was a pain in the A$$ to fit, but they seem to work better. Crud doesn't get jammed up in the older cleat, as it does with FROG II cleats!
Speedplay -
Make a quick fix, otherwise TIME, Shimano, & CrankBros are gonna snake away all of your loyal customers!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt
a Racer
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Sponsorship | | Strengths: | Used to be great. Not the Frog II, though. Cleats, indeed, do not work at all. | | Weaknesses: | Cleats are terrible. The old cleats worked well. I talked to Speedplay and they had the nerve to tell me that it was an installation problem, despite the fact that I've been riding the pedals for more than 5 years, am a professional racer, and own a bike shop. Idiots. I can see why they wanted to make the cleat fit more easily onto SPD shoes, but this is ridiculous. They've alienated their old customer base pretty badly. It doesn't help that the cleats cost $30 - I'll be switching to Crank Brothers. Read this and reissue the old cleats, Speedplay folks! | | Bottom Line: | Thumbs down. Don't buy them until the cleat issue is addressed.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doccie
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheshire, UK
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | float, size, grease-ports | | Weaknesses: | non so far | | Similar Products Used: | ATAC, spd | | Bike Setup: | Epic | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are brilliant! About 12 years ago the old non-float Look pedals messed up my knees road-racing. Until I found speedplays I was still riding the old toe-clips as my knees couldn't cope with anything else I tried, even ATACs which have about the most float of the spring-centred pedals. I got mine of Ebay and came with the original cleats so I can't comment on the new versions. I ride in the UK and have found they perform fine in the mud, of which we get a lot. I now have also got speedplays on my roadbike and these are excellent as well. A lot of people moan about the price, but I say good-luck to Speedplay they've invented a brilliant product and until a competitor can make as good a product they can charge a high price....people are obviously willing to pay for quality! Why wait till your pedals mess up your knees, might as well get speedplay's while their still healthy!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Float | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Nishiki Pinnacle full xtr/sid sl | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that these are the best pedals you can use period. I have no idea what these guys are talking about not "clicking" in. The pedals are excellent and you can adjust the cleat to get more or less inward float. What a knee saver!! I have road every pedal there is almost over the years everthing from the old 515's to Time ATAC, eggbeaters ect.... I never did like that spring to center... and your knees wont over the years. By far speedplay are the best pedal you can buy and the money is worth ever penny. I went from pedal to pedal until I finally gave into the high price of the speedplay and from the first day I rode them I swore I would never use anything else. I have come out of the pedals on the trail, the same as you would "ANY" pedal. I can "click" back in on the fly with NO problem. I cant understand what these guys are talking about, maybe they are pushing to hard or just not doing it right??? These pedals are simple with excellent float and platform and are EASY to use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bernard
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake District
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Had my stainless Frogs for several years and with regular lubing they just keep working. | | Weaknesses: | High price in the UK. Require more careful set-up. | | Similar Products Used: | Time, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed with USE SUB antidive fork | | Bottom Line: | I see the MK 11 cleats have their critics but I honestly think they are better than the MK1s. My only concern is that they seem to wear the pedal crown more rapidly. I found the MK1 mushrooms wore out too quickly and the cleats offered less feedback when clipping in than the MK 11. I am not sure why there is such a difference in views. Perhaps the MK11 suites the colder and wetter UK conditions: I like them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daryl stahler
a Racer
from tucson
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | R &R Cycles | | Strengths: | Simple to use
Great float
Light weight | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll, Magura Julies, XTR F & R der, Spinergy Xyclones, Eastn Carbon bars & post | | Bottom Line: | I've used these pedals for over 2 1/2 years or roughly 4K to 5K miles, which equates to hundreds of rides and 1000's of dis-mounting and re-mounting.
One of the beauties of the frogs is ease of clip-in, just put your cleat on the pedal and go. They find their own way in. If your on a technical area and need a positive lock, a simple light push and they're in. Not sure why people are complaining of difficulties, perhaps they're trying too hard! Of course like anything in life, it takes a little getting use to.
Dis-mounting is likewise as easy, just a little twist and they pop out. Anyone who pops out when biking is moving their feet around (rotating to the outside) while pedaling.
I've used thes in many terrains, from rocky, to sandy, wet sand, mud, and hardpack. Haven't seen any drawbacks. I race 24 hours and cross-county and other than cleat failures, no problems.
Regarding Frog II cleats, I just put them on and have finished about 10 rides. Last 3 were 14 miles of basketball size rocks. Haven't seen any problems other than banging my crank/shoe on a rock and knocking it off the pedal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Alamos, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Doctor's Park. Crested Butte, CO | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Simple Design and generally reliable. Lots of float. | | Weaknesses: | After 6-7 years of use the components became worn. One cleat fell apart. With new "improved" cleat installed with old pedal it became nearly impossible to unclip on my left foot. Started have problems clicking in, too. | | Bike Setup: | 19" KHS Comp FS | | Bottom Line: | I really enjoyed using the frogs over the years - really really. Had them since late 1995 / early 96 or there about. Wear is most likely the cause of my recent problems with the frogs. However, I with the inablility to disconnect from the left pedal, I cannot ride until they are replaced. I will probably replace them with the m-959s or eggbeaters depending on what I read here.
Overall these have been GREAT pedals they have just been worn out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brino
a Cross Country Rider
from central, nj
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Craft - Chester | | Strengths: | Light, good float. Easy to disengage. | | Weaknesses: | Price. Difficult clip-in. Price. Any dirt and you almost can't clip in. Price. | | Similar Products Used: | 505s, 959s | | Bottom Line: | First ride out, I dug the float a lot. Didn't really help my knees, but it felt good. The good feelings ended when I rode a few technical trails with the pedals. When clipping in, there's an initial click, but then you need to give an extra shove to be "really" clicked in. After the initial connection, you even feel clipped in and can pull up on the pedals, etc., until you pull up hard and your foot pops out and the pedal comes around and whaps you on the shin. Also, as soon as any dirt gets on the pedal getting "really" clicked in becomes nearly impossible. I greased the damn things before the rides and followed all the instructions. And yes, I had the Frog II cleat. Not worth $129 + tax. Back to the SPDs... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Lincoln, NE
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Strengths: | READ THIS AND WEEP. THESE WE THE BEST PEDALS ON THE MARKET UNTIL SPEEDPLAY CHANGED TO THE NEW STYLE CLEAT. READ THE REVIEWS, AND THE COMMON THREAD IS THAT JUST ABOUT EVERYONE THAT HAD THE OLD CLEAT AND UPGRADED HATES THE NEW ONES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE CONSIDERING BUYING ANOTHER BRAND | | Weaknesses: | NONE OTHER THAN THE NEW STYLE CLEAT | | Similar Products Used: | SHIMANO, TIME | | Bottom Line: | This is a classic case of screwing up a good thing for not logical reason. Since last winter I have had no less than 6 conversations with Speedplay and although they are very nice and have tried to help, the problem continues. A few weeks ago I sent a note to the owners and explained in details the problems I was having and the extensive measures that I had gone to in attempts to find a solution. I received a call by from Chan at tech support and he told me that since they changed the catalever, they have not had any complaint. He offered to have me send in my shoes and pedals and they would "adjust them" and return them to me. well fact is that I do have my trusty old shimano 747's, but don't have an extra set of shoes anymore to use while I send these all the way to California for them to inspect and find the same thing as I have. THE CLEATS SIMPLY DO NOT ENGAGE OR DISINGAGE THE WAY THEY OLD ONES DID AND if I could find a set or two of the old ones, I would grab them quick.
After years of loving these, as I told Speedplay, I am reluctantly headed to the store to buy a set of EggBeaters and give them a try since the reviews on them are almost a solid 5 out of 5. SpeedPlay guys and gals, smell the roses and fix the problem of better yet have some old style cleats made for the poor schmucks like me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from DC
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Simple, strong. fits SPD. Easy on the knees. Easy in and out. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | None - first time clipless | | Bike Setup: | hybrid | | Bottom Line: | I read the reviews here and had some concerns. The frog is my first clipless system. I bit the bullet and got them anyway. these things are a dream. Since I had no other system to unlearn, maybe that made it easier for me. 5 minutes riding around the parking lot got me comfortable with them.
Great on my knees!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Fong
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, TEXAS USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere that has dirt! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Too long ago to remember :) | | Strengths: | Durable, easy to maintain, easy on the knees, good in all enviroments. | | Weaknesses: | None in the many years of service. | | Similar Products Used: | Onzas, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Tsali, XT gears, hubs & brakes, Sweetwing cranks, Titec 118 bars & bar ends, basically everything to make my soft-tail a 22.5 pound ground pounder! | | Bottom Line: | When I first bought these in 1998, I been in the red mud of Cheraw SC (very similar to the type in Georgia, live in Jamestown NC and riding in the heavy forested trails in the area and now in San Antonio TEXAS and the catus and the sand and rocks. I have only replaced my cleats about 3-times, but still running the same pedal as in SC. Tearing the pedal apart for maintance is a dream. THe durability far exceeds any thing I thought of this piece of equipment.
Over the years I have thought of replacing them with the new SPDs, Times, Beebops, and now the most serious threat the Eggbeaters. But in the end, I decide on keeping my Frogs! But if I ever do get rid of them, I would trade up to the Titanium version, mainly to keep with the theme of my bike! :)
Keep on riding!
Nathan | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bender
a Cross Country Rider
from Cologne, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wahner Heide / Siebengebirge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | After I finally mustered the courage to chuck my Onzas in the trash I was looking for an alternative. I have knee-problems so I need as much float as I can get. Shimanos were ok in price and weight but I didn't like the limited float. The only real alternative remaining were the Frogs. They offer massive 100% friction-free (!) float, very light weight and super easy maintenance (grease gun). Some people have problems with the Frogs because they do not get the "click" feedback. I don't have this problem. Due to the lack of springs there is not such much an audible click but you can definately feel the engagement. You get used to that very quickly. The lack of mechanical elements in this system also mains that fewer parts can break. | | Weaknesses: | It takes some while to get the hang of the entry system. You have to engage the pedal from an angle. SPDs are easier because you just aim in the general direction and stomp. At first I was never sure if the pedal was hooked in but after a few days it became second nature. The alingment of the cleats was a total pain. They did not fit well to my Shimano shoes (SH-M 090). I was forced to to cut small parts of the sole-nobs away. Nothing major though. Because the system offers so much float you only have to adjust the inside heel-limit. The cleats themselves are said to wear out quite fast but I have not noticed this yet at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Onza H.O., Shimano 747, Shimano 959, Time Criterium (road), Shinamo Ultegra SPD (road), Speedplay X-2 (road) | | Bike Setup: | Focus Fire Edge CC-FS, stock except WCS tires, DT Onyx/Mavic 618 wheels, Avid Single Digit 7, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow, Onza Bar-Ends | | Bottom Line: | I am very happy with my purchase. After a very short transition period I quickly got used to the characteristics of the Speedplay system. I am so pleased that I recently purchased Speedplay X-2's for my roadbike. For people that are prone to knee-problems like myself, I do not see any way around Speedplay. As with all Speedplays the price is a shocker. But I'd rather pay a lot now than having trashed knees later. Eventhough I got them cheap on Ebay, I would still have gladly paid full price for such a great product. The only regret I have is that I didn't by them earlier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | The problem with the new cleats seems to be solved. I too had difficulty with them and contacted Speedplay customer service. Speedplay sent new "inserts," and now the new cleats perform just like the old or perhaps even better. I suppose the question remains whether there is a substantial stock of defective "first-run" cleats out there, but if you have trouble, contact Speedplay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Strengths: | Well built, good bearings, nice axles | | Weaknesses: | THE MOST DIFFICULT PEDAL TO CLIP INTO I'VE EVER TRIED! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SPD, Wellgo SPD, Speedplay X series | | Bottom Line: | Good God! This is the by far the WORST pedal to clip into I've ever tried PERIOD. Different shoes didn't help. To clip in, you must precisly put the little button of the pedal of the pedal directly on the elastometer spring and then shift your foot forward with a bit of effort. This is not a pedal with a vertical clip in, or a more diagonal clip in like an SPD. There is little room for error. If you slightly pronate your foot, you can't clip in. The pedal must also be flipped horizontally to clip in. Sometimes the pedal gives you the sensation that you've clipped in, but you haven't. This pedal is merciless if you put your weight on it without a proper clip in. Your foot will can easily slip off the pedal and you risk a serious fall.
This product is horrible for road biking. I can't trust it. If I'm crossing a busy street I must have 100% reliable clip in. If I can't clip in, or my foot slips causing a fall, I could very well get hit by a car. Yes, this pedal does use the Frog II cleat. This product is just plain BAD BAD BAD BAD!!! I'm HIGHLY disappointed. The Speedplay X series quite possibly has the easiest clip in interface ever and I hoped it would carry over to frogs. It plainly does not.
Whatever new design cleat speedplay shipped with the frogs just doesn't work! Note to speedplay! Fix this! You've ruined your product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Float, USED to be easy to get into and out of BEFORE new cleats | | Weaknesses: | Only weakness is the NEW CLEAT THAT IS JUNK | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano,Time | | Bike Setup: | Seven Sola, XTR, Mavic Crossmax SL | | Bottom Line: | I was one of the first guys on the block to try the new cool and grovy Shimano SPD pedals way back when they first came out. Everyone made jokes, but I had several pairs and finally purchased a set of 747's which I basically wore out. I bought a pair of Speedplays and frankly cannot explain how much I like them, HOWEVER the cleats were a couple of years old and were worn so I bought new one's..THIS IS SIMPLY A CASE WHERE THE NEW PRODUCT DOES NOT WORK. I called Speedplay and they told me that I was the only person in the whole wide world that had this problem...and they never heard any complaints??? and to lube them with White Lightning (DIDN'T HELP). Then I called back and they said to take a knife and cut part of the rubber like material under the cleat away (DIDN'T HELP), Then I called them and begged them for an old set..NO LUCK "WE DON'T MAKE THE OLD STYLE ANYMORE".
As a previous review said SPEEDPLAY-PAY ATTENTION. THE NEW CLEAT DOES NOT WORK..PERIOD. READ THE REVIEWS AND QUIT TELLING PEOPLE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH THE PROBLEM WHEN IS IS PRETTY CLEAR READING THE REVIEWS THAT YOU NEED TO RE-DESIGN THE CLEAT OR EVEN YOUR MOST LOYAL SUPPORTERS LIKE ME WILL HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GO BUY A SET OF EGG BEATERS. BEFORE NEW CLEATS 5 CHILI'S RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD---AFTER NEW CLEATS I MIGHT HAVE TO THROW MY PEDALS AWAY. INTERESTED CONTACT SPEEDPLAY ON THEIR 800 NUMBER AND ASK THEM IF THE FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW CLEATS. SEE IF THEY FESS UP. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monty Hobratschk
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Teocali Ridge, CB, Colorado | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | na | | Strengths: | Float which is a knee saver | | Weaknesses: | sand and grit will quickly make these pedals extremely difficult to clip into | | Similar Products Used: | SPD | | Bike Setup: | Really makes no difference | | Bottom Line: | I've had these pedals for over a year, initially purchasing them to help with some knee issues. They performed woderfully here in Austin, Texas. Then, I took the bike to Colorado. With the many creek and river crossings and the dry air and gritty sand, the pedals were worthless. It was impossible to clip in with gritty sand and I paid a price in anger and suffering up long climbs. So much that even though Im back in Austin, Im considering finding an alternative | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from New Orleans, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in and out of, easy on my knees, and the matte black finish looks very stealthy. | | Weaknesses: | High price | | Similar Products Used: | Bebops, Eggbeaters, and a few SPD's | | Bike Setup: | Morati frame & seatpost, Speedplay pedals, Chris King hubs and headset, LP composite handlebar, Sram XO rear derailleur & shifters, XTR front derailleur, Spicer titanium fork, Etc..... | | Bottom Line: | I have had very good luck with Frogs over the past few years. Some people do not like the way their cleats float around on the pedals, but I find that the large amount of float decreases the stress on your knees. These pedals are extremely light for a pedal with steel spindles -- titanium spindles look cool, but I prefer to stick with steel for safety's sake. I also like the way the Frogs look, especially the matte black color. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC, US of A
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | North Road Bicycle Co. | | Strengths: | Rebuildable; Ease of maintenance; Great performance; Cool looks; Made in USA. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, MKS, and cheap knockoffs. | | Bike Setup: | Moulton APB Dual-Drive complete with an ancient (but works fine) Campy Biodynamic water bottle. | | Bottom Line: | Great pedal system. Very easy to step into and release. The Specialized Sonoma shoes with the Frog II cleats complete the package, and it works very, very well. My knees have zero pain after long rides (which wasn't the case with my old pedals) and at my age, that's a Good Thing.
Maintenance consists of removing a #1 phillips at the end of the pedal, insert needle of grease gun, pump grease until clean grease comes out other side of pedal. Reinsert screw and wipe up old excess grease. Maybe 3 minutes total time. Very nice.
Construction is solid and the pedal can be rebuilt. Made in the US, which is an extra bonus. Speedplay also has a nice website.
I've not been too brutal using these pedals, as I'm mainly on pavement and/or packed surfaces, but they look as if they could take a lot of punishment (crash & burn stuff) and still work just fine.
If you like a solid, maintainable, rebuildable, functional, cool-looking pedel, then check out a pair of Frogs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Quick intuitive entry
Easy release
Lightweight
Cheap titanium pedal compared to other companies ~$179 | | Weaknesses: | Cleats wear out
New cleat design is unusalbe and unacceptable | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic | | Bottom Line: | I have used these pedals for eight years and love them. I recently bought a pair of titanium-shafted pedals. These pedals are great and have a very intuitive design for clipping in ... simply push you foot forward. The old style cleats were great. New cleats are horrible due solely to a redesigned clip that does not engage. Redeeming qualities of the new cleat are the single piece construction and the adjustment screw which is a much better solution than the old cam, although a lock nut would be nice if the locktight wears out.
A hint for those replacing old cleats – When I replace my cleats I save the old retainer clip and use it with the new cleat body. It works like a charm. Speedplay says on their website that this does not work, but it does and works great.
SPEEDPLAY PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS PART:
Redesign the frog cleats with the old style retainer clip and you will have a great cleat. Why? The angle of the lip on the new cleat is to steep and catches on the inside of the crown preventing engagement of the cleat. A longer ramp is necessary for easy and intuitive engagement.
Early reviews had people raving about this pedal, but if you read the reviews since the new cleat was introduced you will see that riders hate it and that you are losing customers and market share to Time, Shimano and other companies.
Speedplay you will soon lose my business if they do not reredesign your cleat. It truely makes me sad to see a great product ruined my needless tinkering.
Minus one chili for the new cleat, but minus five chilis next time I need to replace my cleats and replace my pedals instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Eugene, Or
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Over and Out | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | EASY in EASY out. So light weight, easy to lube, easy to clean. Looks nice on bike. | | Weaknesses: | Feels weird at first, takes a week minimum to get confidence. Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD 959 | | Bike Setup: | FOES FXR baby yeah! Fox Float fork. | | Bottom Line: | The best pedal I have tried, once you get used to it. Stays locked in when you want and aways seems to release when you need it to. Should be called the "EASY". Flawless even on the muddiest trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Monica, CA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | backbone | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Original cleat was great---great float, easy in, reliable hold, easy out, low maintainence.
This review is in regards to their newly designed cleats. | | Weaknesses: | New cleats. One question...Why? Why would you change the design of a product that was obviously working( yes some shoes were hard to fit, but this sucks). Finally got my wind up this season and was riding...rather, trying to ride backbone in Malibu today....every time I had a good cadence going my foot would pop out on a climb.( no I wasnt riding like a moron either)..and you know what a pain in the ass it is to start on a hill with these things to begin with. Happened throughout the ride.
The first thing a sales person said to me a month ago when I purchases was .."take them back, use your old cleats...these don't clip in." I'm a schmuck for not listening. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | I realize the the reason for the new cleat was to more easily accomodate different shoes...however, now you have a product that doesnt work. I gave it my all...I took them to the LBS...didnt help...I had the Speedplay's customer service guide me through on phone to reset...didn't help...sent them in to Speedplay( shoes and all)..didn't help...Lastly, when I asked Speedplay if it could be the pedals causing the problem, their reply was that broken in pedals would actually work better...I will say customer service was very professional, responsive and expeditious, but never-the-less, these cleats are useless...I'm going to try and salvage the mangled "old style" Frog cleats off what's left of my old shoes...either that or try atacs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dunko
a Cross Country Rider
from Oz
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pipeline | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Easy, dead easy to get in and ut of. You will never get out of these babys if you dont want to. | | Weaknesses: | I havent had any cleat probs, but I can imagine it would be a pain to have to replace them.. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD's, Times | | Bike Setup: | Enduro Pro 2001 pretty worked | | Bottom Line: | Yep, these are very rider friendly. You wont be clipping out on climbs any more provided the contact is good. Nice float, which can feel a little odd when using them initially. Light, strong enough and just an allround beaut pedal.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Old Gerr
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Ga
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dear Creek, Crestted Butte | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Strengths: | The Ti Frogs are GREAT road pedals for high spinners. | | Weaknesses: | I will never use a frog as an off road pedal again. Get a cheap set of Shims and save yourself the hurt and agrevation. | | Similar Products Used: | All types of on and off-road pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Raven with Statos Pro with handlebar graduated lockout lever. | | Bottom Line: | Better pedal than Speedplays road pedals for on road. Awful pedal for off-road. Can't get out/in easily on technical.
If you want more float for off-road and you are running a shim pedal; miter the cleat to offer more free play and still much safer than off-road frogs.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steph
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 401 - crested butte | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | After getting used to the easy clip in/out, I liked the idea of lots of float on my knees. However...(see below) | | Weaknesses: | #1 New cleat design doesn't work with worn Frog pedals.
#2 TOO much play! | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Juliana Superlight | | Bottom Line: | I was a big fan of the Frog until I was due for new cleats and had to use the NEW cleat design. You might as well purchase new pedals with your cleats, b/c the new design just isn't reliable if your Frogs have any wear (they cost me serious time in my XC race yesterday).
Besides, unless you're a pro & your stoke is absolutely perfect, these pedals will let you toe in or out. I've worn the XTR/paint of my crank arm from brushing my heel against in while climbing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rastabiker
a Weekend Warrior
from MI
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ALL of THEM | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$119.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight, easy on the kneesey. | | Weaknesses: | PRICE, Clipping in difficulties | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Kona | | Bottom Line: | Pricey for a friggin' pedal. This is the first clipless pedal I've ever used so the float doesn't bother me as I know no difference. I purchased the frogs due to a non-healing torn meniscus. My knees never hurt after biking, ever! Clipping out has not been a problem, even when biting it, I mysteriously find myself detached from my machine. Clipping back in "on the fly" is another issue. Sometimes takes a while which can be dangerous on some tight singletrack. LUBE OFTEN, that is the key to easy clip in and easy clip out. This is the most important part of keeping these puppies in good working order. You will notice the difference immediately. I use a dry silicone spray and put it directly on my cleats and my pedals. Wipe down, and you're rockin'.
I like the fact that I cannot unclip by internal rotation! It is not natural to turn your foot inward when you are falling or losing your balance. If you don't like this feature, try another product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Chi Ma Wan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Flying Ball | | Strengths: | Great for the knees, easy to get in and simple design. | | Weaknesses: | Getting out.
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 959 | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX, Fox Forx, XTR Groupset | | Bottom Line: | They feel great when you're peddaling, and there really easy to get into even when covered in sand. However I found them potentially lethal in crash situations, if going over the bars is not bad enough having the bike following close behind with no intention of letting go until you wrestle your way free whilst picking your teeth out the trail, is very nasty. I also had numerous instances of grazed elbows on rocky technical trails because I made an error in judgement, didn't make it up a rocky climb and didn't get my feet out in time to stop me falling sideways (probably just me). I also don't paticularly like the way you can come out and not know you're out... Based on my lack of success and regular injury, I bought some Shimano 959s yesterday and took to the techy trails and had no problems. They pop out when you want them out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from DFW, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun & Ski Sports | | Strengths: | easy entry, good on the knees, light, descent mud clearance | | Weaknesses: | cleats wear quickly, engagement weakens quickly with time | | Similar Products Used: | time ATAC, ritchey pedals, shimano 747's | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche, full XT drivetrain, Judy SL fork, syncros rims, avid breaks | | Bottom Line: | When I first purchased these pedals over a year ago, I instantly fell in love with their performance. They were easy to use and service, extremely comfortable, and they were nice on my knees. These pedals, at first, were a major improvement to the ritchey/shimano pedals I had been used to.
Now, a few months ago I destroyed a cleat and the plate in my left shoe. Not bad considering the abuse I've put this pedaling system through. After replacing the plate and purchasing the new cleats (I was originally using the old cleats) I've had nothing but trouble. The cleats wouldn't engage the pedal, I'd come unclipped while climbing, they would jam with mud... needless to so may confidence was shot to hell. My mechanic/friend and I were never able to figure out what the problem was. We finally had to draw the conclusion that the pedals were just worn out.
In short, these pedals work like magic for the 1st year of use. But once things begin to wear out, look out! You may have some issues. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oscar
a Cross Country Rider
from Fresno CA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Sierra trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | Tri Sport | | Strengths: | Light, easy to clip in and out. Maximum float, no sharp edges. | | Weaknesses: | Like other former writer, my pedal broke in half upon hitting a rock. | | Similar Products Used: | Look | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | Excellent pedals, but note the damage incurred when I hit a rock at high speed. Expensive to replace, cleats don't last long. Easy in and out, much lighter than Shimano, et al. Don't expect a discount online or elsewhere, have never seen these pedals offered at less than full price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Devin
a Racer
from Bay Area, CA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Lite, easy release, good platform | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC Carbon, various SPD pedals | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS Air, '03 XTR in the front and SRAM X.O shifters and Rear DR and cassette. | | Bottom Line: | This pedal aee the best pedals out there. Period. I have used their road pedals for years and finally upgrade my mt bike to Frogs. I have the Ti version and they are a smidge over 200g. The free float is the best. If you are an agressive rider who moves arroung a good deal on the bike these are the pedals for you. Some reviewers below have commented the Frogs are not good in mud, well I have raced the past 2 weeks in rain and heavy mud and have not had any problems getting in or staying in these pedals. If you engagae them correctly (back to front slide in) they actually clear the mud. Pair these up with some Sidi Dominators and you have a lite weight race worthy combo! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Harris
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Lightweight, strong, easy entry, awesome exit, no tension - free float. | | Weaknesses: | Not quite as easy entry as SPD's. | | Similar Products Used: | Several SPD's. | | Bike Setup: | K2 Razorback RS, SRAM rear D and shifters, XT front D and crankset, Avid SD 2.0, Koski Power Curve levers, Selle Italia Ti Flite Gel, XMO suspension fork, SpeedPlay Frog's, Maxxis flyweight, and currently Geax Hook/Warp. | | Bottom Line: | I'm thrilled with SpeedPlay Frog's. I've been riding on SPD's since they were available to the masses. I never got to the point where I didn't have to think about how to exit the pedal. Exiting SPD's never came naturally for me, always had to think "ok, slow technical climb, if I go over I've got to..."
On the very first ride with the Frog's I just release out of the pedals without thinking about it. I think it is because the SPD pedals have tension holding your food straight. The Frogs free float, there are no springs holding your foot in the cycling position, so if you start to fall, your feet pretty much just release without any effort.
I would some times come out of my SPD's when standing up on a hill. The Frog's won't do this because they have a limit to prevent them from releasing towards the inside. This is a great boon for me, when you sprint or stand up on hills you can't turn too far in and release, its a positive stop.
I'm using the newer Cleat II, and it is easy to get into the pedals, however, not quite as easy as it was with my Wellgo's. But if I have to choose not quite as easy to get into or release from, I'm picking release from.
Grease ports are great for lubing every once in a great while.
My knees are happier now with the wide 20 degrees of free float compared to the 6 degrees of forced spring loaded float on my SPD's.
I'd recommend these pedals not only to those with knee problems, but to everyone. It is so easy to exit the Frog's - I think it's a safer way to ride.
Oh and you'll most likely save some weight too, at only 250 grams these are some of the lightest pedals around without expensive Ti axels. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Triton
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, Alabama
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in, save the knees with the float, lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Cleats wearout fast, come out of clips if I take a big hit, difficult to find shoes that you can get the clips onto without cutting the shoe rubber, can crack in half! | | Similar Products Used: | The original frogs (can't find cleats for them anymore) | | Bike Setup: | K2 Razorback 3.0 with MAVIC 517, Marzocchi X-Fly 80, XT and LX mix. | | Bottom Line: | I used to just love these pedals but kept on noticing that I would come out of the pedals as I have become a more aggressive rider and took bigger hits. Now the clincher.... I am riding over the weekend attempting a log jump at slow speed and hit my pedal on the log and the pedal is split in half. Looks beyond repair! I have whacked these pedals at high speeds on rocks more times than I can count and was completely floored by this. Has anyone ever had this happen to their frogs? These pedals are not cheap so 3 chillis for value and 3 chillis for overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikael Arnesson
a Cross Country Rider
from Avesta, SWEDEN
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All around my area : ) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.fabin.dk/ | | Strengths: | Clip-in, Clip-out
Float
felt right from the beginning
Light (Ti model, 206g)
Grease injector port | | Weaknesses: | none yet
Nearest dealer in Denmark :( | | Similar Products Used: | Atac's, SPD858 | | Bike Setup: | Airborne 2001 Lucky Strike hardtail, WH-M575 wheels, avid discs, Cane Creek ergo barends, bla bla... (check my bikemaniac homepage: http://sirbikealot.great-ride.com ) | | Bottom Line: | A great pedal, felt right first time on the trail. I had no problems clippin in or - out.
The grease injector port is an important feature that I apreciate alot...all pedals should have this feature.
The free float spare my knees (had an accident with surgery on my right knee last autumn)
The price I paid was worth the quality of these pedals and I will buy another set. Buy these pedals if you like free float and want to keep your pedals well lubed easily.
(check my bikemaniac homepage: www.sirbikealot.great-ride.com )
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dunko
a Racer
from Oz
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume and Pipeline | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance (Flush) | | Strengths: | I found them easy to ride with from day one. | | Weaknesses: | None for me | | Similar Products Used: | None really, just some SpD style clipless | | Bike Setup: | 2001 FSR pro | | Bottom Line: | Yep, as a sport scientist, I could see that they could alleviate knee ailments in that small percentage of folk who have them due to cycling. They are sweet for release if youy have them adjusted right. Bit tricky in mud grit, but everything has a weakness, doesn't it?
Raced xc in these and loved the feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bufo marinus
a Cross Country Rider
from oz
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the next one! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$37.00 | | Purchased At: | ex racer friend | | Strengths: | Fast & easy entry/exit, light, good clearance, excellent bearings, free float, inward rotation stop prevents heel bashing crankarm during sprint starts. No unwanted release. | | Weaknesses: | Poor distribution here in Oz. Others (ie bebop) allow smaller sole/pedal distance. Not so great in mud, or wet sand -- would use Time (or maybe eggbeater) here, but generally avoid like the plague. | | Similar Products Used: | 737, 636, 535, Time, Speedplay Magnum MTB pedals; Cinelli, Look, Aerolite, Time, Speedplay X series road pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Various road + MTB | | Bottom Line: | Used both on and off road. Apart from slight problems with entry in wet, sandy, grity conditions (which I try to avoid) have had no real problems, except cleat availability.
Vastly superior to SPD, especially 636 (too heavy, no float, poor clearance, difficult entry/exit). Very fast and easy to exit when needed. Am about to replace cleats for first time -- makeshift repair 2 years ago is almost worn out!
More efficient with a stiff shoe, but no foot problems with a flexy sole. Highly recommended for all except mud/grit. Will handle on and off-road riding, touring, commuting, etc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Arvada, CO, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Float | | Weaknesses: | Cleat doesn't stag engaged to pedal. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | The original pedal and cleats worked great, I prefered them
to the SPD/shimano style. Then I lost a rubber bushing from one of the cleats and had to buy replacement cleats.
The replacement cleat had been redesigned and the bushing
(which is critical to keeping the cleat engaged to the pedal), was different as well. These new cleats just do not keep the pedal securely engaged on anything but a smooth trail. I don't know which cleat the give you with
the pedals now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, easy entry&exit | | Weaknesses: | WEAK. I have been through 4 pairs of cleats. They break easy. Speedplay customer service people are idots! | | Similar Products Used: | Look, shimano. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M4 XTR/XT | | Bottom Line: | At first they were great but I wore down 4 pairs of cleats and I buy replcemnet parts all the time. Basicly if your not very confident on clipping out or your a weight weanie these pedalis are for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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