Thoughts on Speedplay ...

So let's start with a simple image.

I took this image from the BikeFit.com website because it explains the reason for wedging and shimming quite nicely. Now, looking at that image lets think about where the foot is positioned, in relation to the knee.  Imagine the foot was placed outside of the knee (or inside of the knee) causing a similar thing to happen as in the wedgeless picture. Poor/inefficient/injurious application of force down through the foot and into the pedal. Since cycling is a highly repetitious activity you can imagine what this does over time. In all likelihood you will develop some neat compensations (the body IS amazing) somewhere else in the body to deal with this.  Anyways, the purpose of the .gif and the above is in reinforcing the importance of getting the foot directly under the knee. It is incredibly important. 

So, Speedplay? Right. Over the past few months as I have practiced my fitting on friends, co-workers, family etc... prior to starting our new fitting services and I have noticed something interesting. The majority of people I fit needed their foot position, in relation to their knee, changed. For myself, I need my feet brought in board much further than a cleat adjustment (cleat as far towards outside of the foot as possible) can allow on SPD pedals. For our friend Brian, he needed his left foot taken out a full INCH further than a standard cleat adjustment on a pedal would allow. In the majority of cases over the past months I have seen the standard lateral adjustment of all pedals be insufficient for a proper foot position ... unless you owned Speedplays.

What is it about Speedplays? Honestly, I don't believe their retention system is superior or that they are lighter or more aero-dynamic. It is the simplest thing possible. They offer replacement axles of varying lengths that are easy to switch out of the pedal. Or you can purchase pedals, singles, of different lengths. You can change your pedal stance width, a feature that is available ONLY from Speedplay. They give the customer the ability to make their asymmetrical body fit better on a symmetrical object ... in other words, they appear to 'get it'.

So what am I saying? Well, I am open to being made fun of for my change of heart. Prior to my 'eye opening' experiences some might say I wasn't the biggest Speedplay fan. Fair enough, but I am willing to admit when I am wrong. Simply put, the ability to easily adjust the stance width puts Speedplay at the top of pile in my humble opinion. 

If you don't need a stance width adjustment that exceeds the ability of Shimano, Look etc? Then I stick with my usual favorite which is Shimano. So, Shimano, if you are out there and listening ... all you need to do is offer replaceable axles of varying widths and you are back on top. That's all, just care about fit. 

Tim