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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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lt and Rt Forks @ Brianshead | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Easy to care for. Light, Reliable, easy in and out. Had major knee surgery in '99 these made pain go away. Floats amazing and generous. Pedals never need cleaning, only minimal maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic body, loves skin. Fair in mud but why are people riding in mud?? Unfortunately cleats have moving parts and unlike the pedal itself thats a minus. | | Similar Products Used: | Times, SPD's | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS nearing its death.... | | Bottom Line: | Find them on sale. Be |
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$ 129.00
