The X2 is still my favorite pedal. Here’s why:
1. Ease of entry: Whether you’re hustling out of T1, the gun just fired in a crit, or you have a stop-and go commute, getting clipped into your pedal quickly is paramount. Instinctual entry is also a safer because your focus can stay on the road.
The X2 is far-and-away the easiest pedal on the market to get into (Speedplay Light Action included). Dual sided entry means you don’t have to be concerned with pedal orientation. The cleat’s spring design doesn’t require you to “brush” your foot forward catch the toe—You just step down and your own body will snap you in.
The Zeros share many of the attributes of the X-Series pedals, but they’re much more difficult to get into. To put it in perspective, here’s my shortlist of ease of entry, easiest to hardest:
- Speedplay Zero
- Look Keo
- SPD SL
- Speedplay Light Action
- Time
- Speedplay Zero
2. Ease of Release: No rotational pressure is required to release. Once your foot breaches the release angle, that’s it—You’re out! While it’s possible to still have that awkward experience of tipping over while still clipped in, it’s far less likely (I know you’ve been there)
3. Float!: The most that I know of (20 degrees). Hopefully, you don’t actually utilize this amount, but rotational freedom can greatly reduce stress at the knee, improve foot comfort, and prevent unintentional release in a sprint (Remember Marty Jemison at US nationals, Thor Hushvold in a gimme at the Tour, or Eric Zabel racking himself on his top tube? All with a certain French manufacturer—Just saying).
Also, the lack of a centering spring eliminates the need to match the cleat orientation external (or internal) foot rotation.
There’s a sentiment that the uninhibited nature of the float can cause undue stress in stabilizing muscles. I agree that this is possible, but I liken it to functional strength-- bench pressing with dumbbells versus benching on a cybex machine. Another point of view is that efficient pedaling motion doesn’t require excessive stabilization.
4. Improved cornering clearance: If you’ve ever scraped the pavement pedaling through a corner, you know it’s extremely unnerving and dangerous.
5. Shoe closer to pedal spindle: Speedplays gets your foot a whopping 5.6mm closer to the pedal spindle that Look Keos. This is a big deal that will definitely affect your bike fit. (Switching to speedplays without lowering your seat accordingly could cause excessive knee extension). This lowers your center of gravity and improves cornering and handling.
6. Adaptability to your shoe: The snap-shims, included with each cleat, adjust the cleat to the curvature of the bottom of your shoe. Remarkably, many manufacturers change the mold of the sole to a more concave shape certain models or with smaller sizes. Forcing a plastic cleat to bend to a shoe compromises its function.
7. Fore-Aft Adjustability: The X-cleats have independent fore-aft adjustability that far exceeds the competition. There’s even an aftermarket “Fore-Aft Extender Base Plate” if you need more.
8. Lateral Adjustability: The availability of pedal spindles in 5 different lengths is a very elegant way to change q-factor (stance width). The cleat also has a substantial amount of lateral adjustability.
9. Shimability: If it’s not a word, it should be. If you have a leg length discrepancy, particularly if it’s in the tibial segment, you may be familiar with a cleat shim. Speedplay is the only pedal design that uses a flat shim. Because the snap-ship already adapted the rounded shoe surface, you avoid end up stacking curves on curves.
10. Wedgeability: Again, this may not be a word, but the x-cleat is accommodates a wedge much better than other brands b/c you’re not trying to wedge a curved surface.
**Speedplay X cleats do need to be replaced annually. Also, they’re not the best for traversing marble floors.