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review

Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedals

9
£199.99

VERDICT:

9
10
A genuinely excellent upgrade on already top quality pedals, worth the initial outlay
Adjustability
Durability
Low stack height
Easy to walk in
Initial expense...
Weight: 
222g
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The Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedals have picked up where the old Speedplay Zeros left off and improved the few elements that could be, with a huge amount of adjustability, a low stack height, and ease of use. They are an expensive outlay, but given their increased cleat durability and walkability, the high price is justifiable.

After selling to Wahoo in 2019, the cycling world has been waiting patiently to see what the new Speedplay pedal line-up would look like. As it turns out: pretty similar to before.

> Find your nearest dealer here

This is not a bad thing because, rather than reinventing the wheel, Wahoo has just taken what was good about the original Speedplay Zeros and built on them. In fact, the only noticeable differences are that the cleats are black instead of yellow and the pedals are more of a complete circle rather than having gullies and lines on them. Plus the Wahoo logo, obviously.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedals - cleats.jpg

The basics of the pedal system have remained the same, with most of the mechanics sitting within the cleat rather than the pedal, just as they did in the original Speedplay system. This means the pedals themselves are little more than notched discs. With Shimano and Look systems, the cleats themselves are essentially just shaped plastic and all of the mechanicals sit in the pedals.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero cleat fitted 3.jpeg

One thing Wahoo has added is some kind of standardisation, so rather than needing spanners, star keys and screwdrivers, you can do everything with a set of hex keys – a welcome simplification.

Setting up the cleats does take a little longer than others, but I had things set up and comfortable within 10 minutes. 

You first have a three-bolt plate with changeable inserts so it sits flat against the bottom of the shoe. You then you have a four-bolt system on top of this for the cleat itself – this allows you to position your cleat with even more precision. You can then change the float using a hex key to adjust how far you want to be able to rotate your foot before unclipping. Then all you have to do is add the walking cover.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero cleat fitted.jpeg

Another big improvement is in the bearings – a major bugbear of the previous generation. Gone are the days of the awkward grease ports to grease the non-replaceable needle bearings. Wahoo has updated the bearings, sealed both ends and even removed the grease ports, because greasing of these pedals is a thing of the past.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedals - 1.jpg

Clipping in and out is done in broadly the same way as Look and SPD: find the pedal in the right position under the cleat, push down with enough pressure to clip in, then rotate the heel to unclip. The pedal holds the cleats very well once clipped in, and there were no situations where I unclipped unexpectedly.

The Zeros come with standard tension cleats, but you can also pick up easy tension cleats (which also come with the Comp version of the pedal).

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedals - boxed.jpg

One thing that is slightly more challenging than the Keos I have been using more in the past few years is that these take more practice to get the hole in the cleat in the right place, to clip in. For the first few rides it took me two or three attempts to clip in properly, but it gets easier.

I have always used Crank Brothers Eggbeaters over winter, so it's always a little jarring coming back to road pedals where I can only clip in on one side, but the Zeros are double sided. This not only makes it easier to clip in, it also means additional weight hasn't had to be added to make them hang a certain way for easier clipping in.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero fitted 2.jpeg

Adjustability

One element of Speedplay pedals that has made them so sought after is their level of adjustability, something that Wahoo has maintained with these. With a hex key you can adjust the float up to 15 degrees. As somebody who is currently overcoming a knee injury this is very noticeable and very much appreciated.

Adjusting is just a case of loosening or tightening two bolts once you remove the walking cover from the cleats. Similarly, you have more adjustability from left/right and fore/aft movements as you secure a plate to the sole, then the cleat itself onto the plate, so you can micro-adjust more easily as you can essentially adjust positions twice.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero cleat fitted 2.jpeg

From an anecdotal level, I have had pain in one of my knees for over six months that I have been riding through and I found these pedals a huge help in reducing that pain while in the saddle. I can't give specific medical advice, but these have made a big difference to me.

Stack height and easier walking

Another benefit of having the mechanism in the cleats and the way the cleats attach to the sole is that the stack height is noticeably lower than equivalent rivals. Look Keo Blades, for example, have 14.8mm, and Time XPro 10s 13.5mm, while Speedplay is just 11.5mm; millimetres may seem like tiny increments, but when you have less material to contract, you can put more direct power through the pedal. I'm very used to using SPDs and Keos, and the difference seems huge – you can really feel it.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero on bike.jpeg

When people think of Speedplays, the large cleat is the thing that stands out; this shouldn't come as a surprise given that the mechanism exists here rather than in the pedal. However, what this also means is that because the pedal sits within the cleat, rather than the cleat within the pedal, the cleats don't need the kind of overhangs and abrupt edges like Keo and SPDs require in order to connect securely to the pedal.

This allows for a much more curved and gradual shape, making walking in these significantly easier. As the pedals also come with a walking cover to reduce slipping, I can safely say that these are, by some margin, the best dedicated road pedal system for walking that's widely available. John took a look at these walkable cleats when there were released in 2016 and it's great to see they have become standard with the new Zeros.

2021 Wahoo Speedplay Zero cleat fitted 2.jpeg

In addition to allowing you to walk more easily, the walkable covers also have a significant additional benefit – they protect the cleats. Where I would normally expect to change my plastic Keos or SPDs every six months or so, these will last considerably longer. That's good because they are not cheap – replacement of the entire cleat is £49.99, with the cleat cover coming in at £25. However, I would expect the covers alone to last a good year or so, and the entire cleats to last for as long as you continue to replace the covers... so they are likely to be an investment that pays off.

> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best clipless pedals

The Speedplay Zeros sit in the middle of the current three-model range, coming in at £199.99 (a fourth, Aero, is 'coming soon'). If you wanted to, you could go all-out and spend another £180 on the Nano versions and save 54g, an extra £3 per gram. Or you could save yourself £65 over the Zeros with the Speedplay Comps, which weigh just 10g more. They all come with the walkable cleat, which is a nice touch that helps to justify the prices.

The differences in the line-up come down to material – the Comps body is Grivory (a trademarked thermoplastic, 'the proven material for metal replacement' according to its maker) with a chromoly spindle, the Zeros also have a Grivory body but a stainless steel spindle, while the Nanos have a carbon composite body and titanium spindle. The Nanos also have an 82kg rider limit, while the Zero and Comp have no limit.

Value

At first glance the Speedplay Zeros look expensive, but when you take into account their durability the price becomes easier to swallow.

The Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic pedals are £20 cheaper, though 10g heavier and with cleats that wear considerably faster and so will need to be replaced sooner (at a cost of around £20). After six months that initial £20 saving is negligible.

The Time XPro 10 pedals come in £50 cheaper and 7g heavier, with cleats that might be slightly more durable than Look Keos, but still no match in terms of durability for the Speedplays.

Conclusion

Overall, I was very impressed with these pedals. They offer a really impressive level of adjustability, they don't weight much at all, and the stack height means you can genuinely feel the increased power being put through the pedals. There is no getting away from the fact that these are expensive pedals, even if they aren't the most expensive within the range, but when you take into account their weight, adjustability and durability, the price on paper is perhaps not reflective of value in real life.

Looking back at the bugbears Dave Arthur had with these pedals when he tested them back in 2015, when he gave them 8/10:

- The bearings need regular greasing

- The cleats are difficult to walk in

- The cleats need to replaced often

Wahoo has directly addressed each of these points and has taken what were weaknesses and made them their strengths.

Verdict

A genuinely excellent upgrade on already top quality pedals, worth the initial outlay

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Wahoo Speedplay Zero Pedals

Size tested: One size

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Speedplay Zeros are the mid-range model for the new Speedplay lineup, offering racing level performance and weight.

Wahoo says: Built to take on anything, the SPEEDPLAY ZERO road pedal is uniquely qualified to withstand the demands of everything from all-out racing to the epic grind of a double-century. The stainless steel pedal and integrated cleat system offer peak power transfer and exceptional durability. The customized fit and dual-sided entry will allow you to crank on the pedals in confidence and comfort.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Physical Dimensions: 3.9" x 2" x 2"

Shipping Weight: 1.22lb

Box Dimensions: 5.9" x 2" x 3.9"

Country of Origin: Vietnam

Weight: 222g per pair

Stack Height: 11.5mm (3 hole) 8.5 (4 hole)

Q Factor: 53mm

Body Material: Grivory

Spindle Material: Stainless Steel

Bearing Type: Triple Sealed Cartridge & Needle Bearings

Cornering Clearance: 39°

Max Rider Weight: No restriction

Cleats: Standard Tension Included

Release Angle: Micro Adjustable from 0° to 7.5°

Pedal Float: Adjustable from 0° to 15°

Cleat Fore - Aft Adjustability: Up to 13mm

Cleat Left - Right Adjustability: Up to 8mm

Walkable Cleat: Yes (adaptor included)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made pedals and cleats, with a lot of thought that has gone into the durability of every part.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

They offer a genuine difference in the feel of power transfer thanks to the low stack height and adjustability throughout the cleat.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

The cleats will hardly wear at all thanks to the walkable covers.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

Comparable to some of the lightest pedals on the market today despite being made from Grivory and stainless steel.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
10/10

The amount of float available means they are very comfortable, causing no knee pain.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

The initial outlay is high, but the added durability means these are likely to offer high-end performance for a long time...

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very very well, these are a very impressive pair of pedals – Wahoo took already good pedals (Dave A gave them an 8 last time out) and improved the few issues they had. It's genuinely difficult to find fault in them now.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The float; long rides went from riding through gritted teeth and swearing at NHS physio waiting times to as comfortable as the day I first clipped in.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The initial outlay is high.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic pedals are £20 cheaper, though 10g heavier and with cleats that wear considerably faster and so will need to be replaced sooner (at a cost of around £20). After six months that initial £20 saving is negligible.

The Time XPro 10 pedals come in £50 cheaper and 7g heavier, with cleats that might be slightly more durable than Look Keos, but still no match in terms of durability for the Speedplays.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? I already have.

Use this box to explain your overall score

There was not much to improve on from the previous models as Dave A mentioned when we last looked at them, but Wahoo has managed it. They're excellent.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 32  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: CAAD13  My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

Add new comment

15 comments

Avatar
Kettenblatt | 2 years ago
0 likes

I think the name Wahoo should more aptly be Woo-hoo.. Speedplay supported their pedals, offered parts (even if comparatively expensive) and made them, for the most part in San Diego... the new incarnation abandoned all loyal customers.. halted support, did not even bother stocking some spare parts, shuttered the factory and started production of a kind of vague copy in Viet Nam of the Zero... with such an attitude why bother with these and not the cheap knock-offs from China.. they at least are cheap and some even have spares..

Avatar
Richard D | 2 years ago
1 like

I've got speedplay pedals on two bikes (although one set is pretty worn), and speedplay cleats on two pairs of shoes (both sets are pretty worn, TBH).

What I'd like to know is whether the new Wahoo pedals are compatible with the old cleats, and whether the old pedals are compatible with the new Wahoo cleats. 

I'm not up for replacing both sets, but I could see one new set appearing in my shopping basket soon if they are cross-compatible.

Avatar
Pilot Pete replied to Richard D | 2 years ago
0 likes

Yes, the new cleats are backwards compatible - they are pretty much the V2 cleat.

Avatar
Pilot Pete | 2 years ago
2 likes

As a long term Speedplay convert I have several issues and questions regarding the new Wahoo version, which the writer did not address.

Firstly, I would like to say I am a fan of the system, have been since day one of owning a pair. I now have 4 pairs of Zeros and 2 pairs of Pave.

Certain upgrades to the Zero are to be applauded. The old version had body wear issues which lead to your foot rocking laterally on the pedal. This was always worse on the side you constantly unclipped when stopping. For me it is left pedals.

Many moons ago Speedplay sold replacement pedal bodies. This ceased some time back too. They then did a pedal rebuild service, which was almost the same price as a new pair, so why would you bother? It made your pedals disposable, at considerable cost.

Spindles were interchangeable. I bought a pair of stainless pedals and when the bodies wore, just bought a pair of chromoly pedals (when bodies were no longer available) and swapped the exact same bodies over to my stainless spindles.

The bow ties would wear too with constant clipping in/ unclipping. Again, more wear on one side than the other due to me always up clipping my left foot at lights etc, Speedplay never sold these as spares (to my knowledge, I certainly never found any), but aftermarket companies did copy them and sell them. Quality was variable, for example Rock Bros bow ties were appalling quality with incorrect size bolts (extremely dangerous) to counter sinks not being machined in some of them! However, Dulight in France made excellent replacement bow ties for the Zero pedal. Speedplay however would actively pursue sellers with legal action to protect their brand. I get this, but they would not sell spares and would force you into the rebuild service or a new pair, which in effect meant a non-available, small replaceable part made you pedals useless. I hated this of Speedplay.

In order to get over the pedal body wear issues rendering them useless I opted for the Pave pedal - I found Canyon selling them off for £100 a pair a few years back and snapped up a couple of pairs. They are a metal body 'zero' in an 'iron cross' shape rather than round disk, which sheds muck better. This has always been a problem with Speedplay cleats - they fill with crap if you walk on muddy ground, then when you clip in it acts as a grinding paste which accelerated body wear. Again, more left side than right for me.

However, the Pave body may last longer than the plastic zero one, BUT nobody sells Pave bow ties, which are not the same as Zero bow ties, so I am faced with that problem when they wear out if I am to keep my pedals serviceable. I am looking at trying to get some aftermarket zero bow ties machined down to fit the Paves. It's a hassle, but I hate throwing stuff away if it is perfectly serviceable if replacement spares can be sourced.

So this leads me to the points I would like to make and which were not answered in the article. Wahoo have discontinued support for the previous Speedplay pedals. They have no intention of making or selling spare parts to keep older pedals serviceable. I have this in an email from Wahoo. This is extremely disappointing, especially in a world where throw away and waste is becoming more an more of an ecological issue. It also means an awful lot of money down the drain.

So what I would like to know is;

1. If I buy the new Zeros, can I remove the bodies? Can I replace them?

2. Will spares be available? For example, the bow ties now have a circular metal edge that runs completely around the pedal, which should eliminate pedal body wear and the associated rocking. However, constant clipping in/ out will wear the lips at the front and back where the cleat clips in. Will these metal parts be available to buy, or are Wahoo going to follow the Speedplay model of effectively making their pedals throw away when this part wears?

3. Greasing the Zeros was no great imbuggerance with a needle nosed grease gun. It only required doing every once in a while and was a two minute job, but messy having to clean up the exuded grease from the crank side of the pedal. This would continue to exude for a few subsequent rides requiring further wiping clean. Upon forcing new grease in, the old grease would come out a brown, mucky colour due to contamination, mainly from riding in wet and crappy conditions. Are the new seals that much better that regreasing won't actually be required, or is it just anticipated that it won't be, but bearing life is reduced because of this? I have a set of replacement bearings (again, not sold by Speedplay, bought aftermarket) but have never had to fit them to any pedals. Routine greasing has meant the bearings are still fine after thousands of miles.

4. It is good (to a point) that Wahoo have kept the cleat the same, so that there is backwards compatibility and new cleats can be used on old Zeros. However, replacement cleats alone will not keep your pedal system operational, and the V2 cleat with the walkable rubber/ plastic covers are in my opinion crap compared to the V1 cleat which had an all metal cover. Sure, it was a bit slippy to walk in so you had to be careful, but they lasted ages. The V2 cleat covers fall off if you twist your foot at all whilst it is in contact with the ground. I have lost two or three of them and I only walk very short distances to/ from the house and at cafe stops. I resorted to gluing them on and trying several glues before finding one that would keep them on. Without the cover the cleat is thin metal that will wear quickly. And it appears Wahoo are going to be charging almost double for new covers! The V1 cleat was far superior to me and merely needed some replaceable plastic/ rubber 'feet' that stayed put when fitted (maybe screwed on like a sidi shoe sole heels?)

If all these issues were sorted out a brilliant system would become absolutely fantastic. It appears Wahoo have addressed just one issue - the body wear, but left all the other failings in place....which is disappointing.

 

Avatar
Rapha Nadal | 2 years ago
0 likes

Changing Keo and SPD cleats every 6 months?!  Do you not own normal shoes for day to day use?!

Avatar
barongreenback | 2 years ago
1 like

It should also be pointed at that for the time being Wahoo have taken the decision not to make the other fit specific accessories easily available e.g. base plate extender and different sized axles not available online and only via specific dealers.  As this was one of the benefits for me having huge and weird feet, I'm hopeful that this will change soon.  Curious to know whether changing the axle is still as easy now that they have changed the design.

Avatar
mbprouser | 2 years ago
4 likes

As a review it's pretty good. That said I think a seasoned Speedplay rider would have been better off reviewing them. Better to go from the old to the new versions knowing the short comings rather have someone struggle with cleat setup and clipping in. This isn't new technology, just an evolution of something that has been around for a long time. I've been riding Speedplay since 1996 and they really aren't that much different. 

I would agree with everybody here that said about how easy they are to clip into; so much easier that Look/Shimano. Walking has never been an issue, but each to their own. As for servicing, this new version sounds much better. Greasing my current set is such a pain. 

If I can actaully find a set to buy they will be a worthy upgrade; everywhere I have looked they are are out of stock.

Avatar
Prosper0 | 2 years ago
2 likes

"Clipping in and out is done in broadly the same way as Look and SPD: find the pedal in the right position under the cleat"

No. It's not. This is the fundamental difference. With Look/Shimano you find the pedal, fiddle with your toes to flip the pedal the right way up before pushing toe first and then foot down to engage. Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't.

With speedplay you just stamp down onto the pedal. It couldn't be easier. If you miss slightly then you wiggle a bit and it engages. If you miss slightly with Look/Shimano your foot slips off the pedal and you have to start the toe flip process again, by which time the pedal is now rocking, making it even more difficult. Let's not even mention getting started on steep hills..

I'll never go back to Keo/SPDsls, speedplays are a superior industrial design.

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Prosper0 | 2 years ago
2 likes

It said SPD, not SPD-SL. SPD is double-sided (unless you've specifically opted for single-sided ones) - no fiddling and flipping required.

Avatar
quiff replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
0 likes

It does refer to SPD, but in context I think the reviewer probably intended to compare to SPD-SL, as they say it in the same breath as Keo. E.g. the reviewer says:

(1) "I would normally expect to change my plastic Keos or SPDs every six months or so". I might be doing it wrong, but I have never had to replace SPDs - the shoe wears out first; and

(2) that the Speedplays are significantly easier to walk in than Keos and SPDs. Given that I expect most people use SPDs in a shoe with a recessed cleat (which are very easy to walk in), I think that must have been intended as a comparison with SPD-SLs.   

Avatar
mdavidford replied to quiff | 2 years ago
0 likes

Fair point. And a little odd that a cycling site reviewer appears not to know the difference.

Avatar
olic | 2 years ago
2 likes

I'm a long time speedplay user - I initially used single-sided pedals when I started road cycling but after a few months and frustration with failed clip-ins I switched to speedplay and never looked back. I found they were very easy once you got used to them and they are far, far quicker when you set off from a set of lights - just put your foot down and off you go

I'm curious about the latest cleats - they look like they might be a bit different to the old walkable cleats or am I imagining it?

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 2 years ago
2 likes

I bought the cheaper version a few weeks back and I wouldn't go back to single sided now.

After a long time with knee/leg problems and endless faffing about with bike fit these pretty much solved the problem overnight.

As for the double sided clipping in...soooooo much better than single sided.

As mentioned in the review, they take a bit of time breaking in - it's ridiculous how tight they are trying to clip in at first, it's the only real downside. After a few rides (or practice on the turbo or just sitting on the bike) they do loosen up a fair bit. Still not as easy as clipping into as spd pedals if I'm honest but  that may improve with practice and also, the feel is better once you are clipped in as far as I'm concerned.

 

Avatar
McVittees replied to EddyBerckx | 2 years ago
0 likes

I'd like to know how the 'standard' and 'light action' cleats compare in tension to the current standard cleat.  As a long time user it's annoying that the considerably cheaper Comp pedal comes with non-standard cleats.

Avatar
EddyBerckx replied to McVittees | 2 years ago
0 likes
McVittees wrote:

I'd like to know how the 'standard' and 'light action' cleats compare in tension to the current standard cleat.  As a long time user it's annoying that the considerably cheaper Comp pedal comes with non-standard cleats.

Yeah I'll be honest I've not tried the easy action ones - I bought a standard pair with the intention of ebaying the brand new easy action ones. Then I thought maybe I should keep them as a spare...

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