Wahoo SPEEDPLAY ZERO Road Cycling Pedal Review - feat. Dual Sided Design + Adjustable Float

Originally patented in 1989, SPEEDPLAY pedals represented a clean slate approach to road cycling pedals and offered innovative features. Known as the lollipop pedals, SPEEDPLAY gained popularity with amateur and professional cyclists due to their dual-sided design and low stack height. However, in more recent years Shimano SPD-SL and Look Keo pedals have come to dominate the road cycling pedal market. Wahoo has decided to change that with their purchase of SPEEDPLAY and the newly introduced revamped SPEEDPLAY pedals. The new Wahoo SPEEDPLAY pedals retain the same iconic design but are updated with sealed bearings for easier maintenance, hex hardware, and a revised pedal body. Wahoo currently offers four versions of the SPEEDPLAY pedals: NANO (“ultralight performance”), ZERO (“race-grade performance”), COMP (“all-around performance”) and AERO (“streamlined performance”).
The differences between the models are the spindle and body material. The NANOs are the top-of-the-line option with titanium spindles and a carbon composite body while the lesser version use Stainless steel or Chromoly and Grivory bodies (a thermoplastic material). In this review, we’ll be looking at the SPEEDPLAY ZERO which represents that best value in the lineup. While the full lineup ranges from $449.99 for the NANO down to $149.99, the ZERO pedals have a retail price of $229.99 and stainless steel spindle. Wahoo has also simplified the available cleats to two options (each retail for $54.99): Standard Tension (included with everything but the COMP pedals) and an easier to use Easy Tension option (included with the COMP). The ZERO pedals also offer four different spindle length options allowing SPEEDPLAY retailers or bike fitters to match the pedals to your anatomy.
What sets the Speedplay pedals apart from other pedals such as the Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo pedals is the unique design. Rather than using the traditional design of integrating the spring and attachment mechanisms in the pedal body, the SPEEDPLAY moves them to the cleats. That leaves the pedals with a distinctive low-profile lollipop shape that gives the SPEEDPLAY pedals one of their best advantages - a dual sided entry. That means clipping into SPEEDPLAY pedals is quick and easy as you can confidently clip in without having to worry about flipping the pedals...
... Read the full review @ thesweetcyclists.com/wahoo-sp...
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00:00 Intro
00:10 Unboxing + Specs
03:52 Fit + Finish
07:24 On The Road
08:27 Comparison (Look Keo Carbon vs SPEEDPLAY COMP)
11:40 The Final Score
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Wahoo - www.wahoofitness.com/devices/...
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[@postiez]

Great review, dunno why it took me so long to find this one.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

Thanks! Glad it could help.

[@michelbinet5278]

I've been riding on Speedplay Zero with 56mm spindle length for about 10 years now and they are worn out..! Altough I have the high end Northwave shoes & Speedplay kit with the lowest stack height of 8.5mm, which I love, I'm going to move to Shimano Dura-Ace (+4mm) since there are too many complaints about that 'lateral play' on the new Wahoo pedals..! Sad..!

[@arifrahman1899]

appreciate

[@mikeyd6031]

I like my Speedplay Frog pedals, which are great for mountain biking. Unfortunately, they haven't made them for a while and the new styles don't seems as compatible with a mountain bike style shoe.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

I had to look up the Frog shoes - it seems like an interesting variation. Many people on the forums seem to recommend Time pedals as the closest replacement. Otherwise you could try SPD pedals but I've never really liked them for road cycling compared to Look Keo / SPD-SL's wider designs.

[@nathancouse3596]

What is the actual stack height difference between them and the shimano spd. Looking to possibly drop saddle height a smidge

[@TheSweetCyclists]

I don't know the exact numbers but SPEEDPLAY can be as low as 8.5 mm with 4-bolt shoes vs ~15 for other pedals. I'd recommend working with a bike fitter, you could try shorter/longer crank arms to adjust your fit.

[@WrathMania32]

Would the Easy Release cleats end up being a hindrance once you get used to them--I see a lot of people claiming it's easy to unclip when pedaling hard. Is this true?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

It really depends on your riding style. We actually switched to the easy release cleats as the tension was too high for our preference. If you are comfortable with the standard cleats the easy release cleats maybe too easy to unclip out of though.

[@thisgustin]

1:06 Over $200 seems excessively priced, I don't know about value when we look at road bike pedals in general. I feel like the 150 should be sufficient unless you race. Has anyone else had problems with engaging/stepping on these pedals? I'm debating on getting the comp versions, or going for the Look Keo's.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

Yes, SPEEDPLAY pedals are more expensive for the initial purchase. The upside is that you won't have to replace cleats nearly as often with the metal design. That said, I'm still a fan of the Look Keo pedals as they have adjustable tension in many of their models which makes it easier to adjust the clip in / out to the desired pressure. I'd recommend checking out ProBikeKit website for deals on pedals, they often have sales and discount codes if you sign up for the newsletter.

[@rkan2]

2:10 - are you sure the different spindle lenghts are still offered by wahoo?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

From my understanding they do offer it for the Zero version, but only through retailers or bike fitters.

[@jimbojet8728]

Cost £199 in U.K. now. Lots of availability.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

That's a good deal. It's still a bit of an investment, but the metal cleat design should last a lot of miles.

[@rkan2]

Have you experienced the play that has 5 pages of weightweenies?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

We haven't had issues yet but I suspect it depends on your riding style and power. It seems like Wahoo has been responsive about replacing pedals with issues though.

[@jayeshudawat]

Can you guide which one to buy for beginners...Want easy release system in order to reduce chances of falling.

[@emploice.muswashghans]

Try Look Keo Classic 3 Plus, cheap and durable with adjustable release tension

[@TheSweetCyclists]

The Speedplay Comp with the Easy Tension cleats is a great way to start - easy tension to release / clip-in and it's dual sided so you don't have to worry about the pedal orientation. Also Look Keo is also a more affordable option, they have cheaper pedals and very cheap cleats (~$15). Either way, I highly recommend clip-in pedals, you'll ride faster and longer with them. It's a little scary at first, but after a few ride clipping in/out becomes second nature regardless of which pedal you choose.

[@paulysci925]

You should just get the zero stainless and break them in. You'll be happier in the long run. it's better to struggle a little at first to learn to clip in and out and you'll be happier than you will be than if you accidentally unclip when doing a hard pedaling effort.

[@paulysci925]

Ps don't buy the looks I've ridden looks for years and my opinion at this point is speedplay or Shimano ultegra and up only. Spend the money once! The Shimano will just work and be dummy proof the speedplay are great if you like to adjust your points of contact without spending money on separate cleats needed to be purchased and swapped out.

[@jimbojet8728]

I’d say go for Shimano first time. Put the Dura Ace pedals on from the off! If they’re a tad expensive for you then go for the Ultegra. Then simply get on with it and learn to use them. You could start your first tentative efforts on or near short but soft grass? That way you won’t hurt much when you fall. It really doesn’t take long at all to get used to being ‘clipped in’ to your pedals and you won’t have to ‘upgrade’ and waste money going this route. I didn’t find riding clipless this way in any way difficult really , a little practise which I really enjoyed and the anxiety was behind me. It’s not that hard! Good luck!

[@Drushen07]

The easy tension cleat is also difficult to step into. Seriously disappointed by this comp pedal. Wahoo distributor support in South Africa is pathetic. The product is registered with wahoo but they cant assist without original proof of purchase being submitted.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

Sorry to hear that. It's unfortunate that the SPEEDPLAY pedals don't have adjustable tension. I'd suggest looking at the Look Keo or Shimano SPD pedals which have that feature.