Long-term Test: Speedplay Zero Review - BikeRadar

Speedplay's unusual clipless pedal design is an established favourite with very few flaws.

Zero pedals feature low weight, low stack height, high cornering clearance and adjustment of both float and release angle. Plus their double-sided design makes them incredibly quick and easy to get into, a boon for riding in traffic. It's a package that makes them one of the best clipless pedals, despite disadvantages of pricy replacement cleats and poor walkability

Speedplay's Zero pedal differs from most clipless designs in having the retention mechanism in the cleat rather than the pedal. That allows Speedplay to make a double-sided system that's both light and has very low 'stack' of just 11.5mm - the distance between the pedal and your shoe.

Low weight is an obvious advantage. A low stack puts the rider's centre of gravity closer to the ground , which makes for more confident cornering. The compact shape of the Zeros also provides lots of ground clearance. These are great pedals for accelerating out of tight corners while your rivals are still coasting.

The pedal body looks small, but your shoe is supported by the 70x45mm cleat that delivers excellent power transfer with no hot spots.

Other Speedplay Zero plus points include the adjustable release position - from zero to 15 degrees; the grease port on the pedal body for easy maintenance of the two precision cartridge bearings and one needle assembly per pedal; and the ease of entry that results from the double-sided design.

That's the big advantage of the Zero. Entry is a no-brainer: just locate the pedal with the cleat and stomp. No need to flip the nose or get a cleat tab into an engagement point. That makes the Zero especially appropriate for commuting, and very friendly to clipless pedal beginners.

There are a few downsides. If the cleat's retention spring breaks - as happened to me on a commute a couple of years ago - then you're limping along with one foot not properly attached. You can still ride because the cleat still fits round the pedal, but you have to be very careful not to slip off. I was late for work.

The large aluminium bottom face of the cleat makes them tricky to walk in. Care is needed to avoid going on your arse between parking bike and ordering coffee. Speedplay makes cleat covers - called Coffee Shop Caps - to make them more walkable. On the upside, the design protects the engagement mechanism from walking-related wear. When the aluminium plates get worn, just replace them and the cleat is as good as new.

Unlike some clipless designs, the Zero has no spring tension pushing your foot into a 'centered' position. That's both a plus and a minus. The unrestricted movement will feel odd if you're used to spring-centered pedals, but if you have sensitive knees, this feature allows them to find their neutral, most comfortable position.

If you don't like or want float - some riders' knees don't seem to like it even though the majority do - you can dial it right out with the Zeros,.The two screws that adjust the limits of float make it easy to adjust the rotational position of a floatless Zero or the release point of one set to float..

The manual bears careful reading. The tension of the screws that fix the cleat to the pedal can affect how hard it is to release. Don't tighten them up too hard.

At £42 a pair for replacement cleats, the Zeros are not cheap to run, but the metal base lasts an age so you won't be up for new cleats too often.

After many thousands of kilometers on Speedplays I'm happy to recommend them to anyone switching to clipless pedals. I've noticed that mountain bikers switching to the road get on well particularly with them because of the double-sided design.

About BikeRadar reviews: Our review scoring system has changed in 2010. Therefore recent reviews may have comparatively lower scores than past reviews. Click here for a full explanation of our ratings.

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