I searched the forum and did find some threads but not necessarily what I am looking for. Use spd-sl for the past couple of years and always get numb feet after a few hours regardless of the placement of the cleat.
Anyone that has speedplay made the switch to help with this? I don’t have knee problems for what it is worth. Also it seems like you just need to oil them and make sure they don’t get junked up? They work well with hills? Anything else I am missing pro/con wise?
Thanks in advance.
Hello, I have been using speedplay zeros since there introduction. I like the version, that has a pillow around the cleats, with removable circular cleat protectors, which totally protect the cleats. I lube the cleat spring
I searched the forum and did find some threads but not necessarily what I am looking for. Use spd-sl for the past couple of years and always get numb feet after a few hours regardless of the placement of the cleat.
Anyone that has speedplay made the switch to help with this? I don’t have knee problems for what it is worth. Also it seems like you just need to oil them and make sure they don’t get junked up? They work well with hills? Anything else I am missing pro/con wise?
Thanks in advance.
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I rode SPD-SL all last year and would pretty regularly have numbness in at least one foot on long rides, now that I think about it. I switched this winter to Speedplay Zeroes in an effort to alleviate persistent knee pain, but now that you mention it, I don’t believe I’ve had any problems with my feet going numb since.
FWIW I love the Speedplays overall. I have the “aero/walkable” clears, with the plastic cover over the cleat as well. The ability to move each of the three adjustments (float, lateral, fore/aft) independently is really nice. You’re supposed to put a bit of dry lube (not oil) on the cleat springs every now and then and inject grease into the pedal bearings (there’s a port on the side of the pedal, super easy to do) every month or two as well. I don’t find the maintenance part that bothersome. Also total weight of the cleats+pedals was slightly less than it was with my SPD-SL setup before, if you’re in to that sort of thing.
@TxAg15 Thanks and appreciate it. I am willing to try them and see what happens as I have been thinking about switching anyway.
Also for the aero ones the plug is only for walking correct?
I tried 'em. Didn’t do anything for me as far as hotspots on the feet and cramping arches.
Changing shoes did it for me.
YMMV.
What shoes did you have and which ones are you using now? I know it is personal bit just wondering.
I have used shimano tri shoes and also current is specialized torch.
I have wide feet.
Went from S-works road to Sidi Ergo 5 Megas.
Used to use SPD-SL and switched to Speedplay a couple of years ago. Glad I did, especially when clipping in without having to look and not sliding off the SPDs when trying to clip in. Yeah, I’m a klutz. 
Yep. Had that exact scenario. I was on Shimano pedals but kept getting insane foot cramps. Had a bike fit and my fitter suggested Speedplay. I got some zeros along with the expander plate to shift the cleat back an additional centimeter (I have stupidly long toes) and it worked like a champ. Been on Speedplay ever since. Highly recommended.
Right, the little twist-in plug thing is just to keep dirt and stuff out of the cleats while walking. I don’t usually carry them unless there’s a chance I’ll have to step off the bike into some gravel or something. They walk fine, if not better, without the plugs.
Thanks and will check those out if the pedals don’t do the trick. I have been wanting different pedals for a while anyway.
Numb feet = Pedals? huh.
More than likely it is your shoe, either too tight, too small, wrong width.
I don’t see how the pedal type would make your feet hurt.
Shimano are the best pedals anyway, best bearings, least maintenance, good weight, best all rounders.
You’re barking up the wrong tree imo.
Possible for sure and might be the case.