Zero Frequently Asked Questions

Zero pedals were designed specifically for bicycling. Other clipless pedal systems have been adapted from ski-binding technology for use with bicycles.

Zero pedals are light weight as a result of their simple design. By locating the locking mechanism in the cleat, the pedals are manufactured with only one moving part, the spindle. This design feature alone can save as much as 1/2 pound per pair compared to other clipless pedal designs.

Yes, the weight of any part of the bicycle is important, but pedal weight, like wheel weight, is categorized as “rotating” weight. It is considerably more important to reduce the weight of rotating parts on a bicycle than it is to reduce the weight of “static” or non-rotating parts. An old bicycle saying says it all: "A pound off the wheels is worth two off the frame." The same can be said for the weight of pedals.

Zero Titanium –164 grams per pair
Zero Stainless – 206 grams per pair
Zero Track Special – 206 grams per pair
Zero Chrome-Moly – 216 grams per pair
Zero Cleats – 105 grams per pair (3-hole mount); 64 gram per pair (4-hole mount)

Each Speedplay Zero pedal turns on a precision needle bearing and two precision cartridge bearings. It is important to recognize that the high quality “rolling element” bearings used in Zero pedals provide an advantage of 40% less rolling resistance than the plastic “sleeve” bushings used in some other pedal systems.

Yes, check www.speedplay.com for the latest color selection.

Yes, like all Speedplay pedals, Zero pedals are dual-sided for easy no-look entry. Additionally, the rounded leading and trailing edges help to flip the pedals flat and self-locate into the cleat for easy engagement. The patented Zero, Light Action, and X pedals are the only dual-sided clipless pedals that are both self- righting and self-locating.

Zero pedals offer a choice between a fixed position or float that can be precisely and independently micro-adjusted within a 0-15 degree range using the inward and outward rotation limit screws.

Yes. The Zero cleat spring housing is imprinted with the words “heel-in” and “heel-out” so you can correctly choose which direction to adjust the float.

No. In fact, several independent studies have concluded there is no loss of power from float, yet float can be instrumental in preventing repetitive-motion injuries due to misaligned joints.

No.

No, in fact the Zero, Light Action, and X pedal systems have 16mm of Q-adjustment built in. They also offer 13mm of fore-aft cleat adjustment. If a greater range of either forward or rearward adjustment is needed, you may purchase a Speedplay Cleat Extender Base Plate Kit, Part #13330. These plates replace the Speedplay black plastic Standard Base Plates. The Cleat Extender Base Plates provide an extra 5mm of forward adjustment and an extra 14mm of rearward adjustment than the Standard Base Plates. For leg length discrepancies, you may purchase a Speedplay Leg Length Kit, Part # 13220. The shims in the kit are 1/8 inch thick (3.25mm) and can be used in multiples. Need to tilt your foot toward or away from your bike? Bikefit.com makes The Wedge, a stackable varus/valgus wedge designed to tilt the foot by canting it inward or outward in 1½-degree increments.

Yes. You can also choose the Zero Track Special, which requires approximately twice the release effort as the Zero Stainless, the Zero Titanium or the Zero Chrome-Moly.

Yes. Once engaged into the pedal, the cleat becomes the platform and provides more than an adequate pedaling platform. The Zero Pedal System has been used successfully in all types of long distance cycling events, including professional road racing, ultra-distance cycling, track racing, and triathlons. (see Choosing a Pedal – Platform Size)

No. Zero, Light Action and X pedals offer the best cornering clearance.

No, Zero, Light Action and X pedals position the foot closer to the top of the spindle than any other pedal. In fact, some popular brands of clipless pedals position the pedal axis as much as 1/3 of an inch further away from the foot than Speedplay pedals.

It is commonly recognized that the closer the foot is positioned to the spindle, the more efficiently power can be transmitted to the cranks.

Zero cleats fit well on virtually all brands, however, you should choose a shoe that is comfortable and best fits your foot. See Tech Support - Shoe Compatibility.

Most shoes use the 1-F and 1-R Snap Shims that are factory installed on the 3-hole black plastic Standard Base Plate of the cleat. See Tech Support - Shoe Compatibility for specific shoe mounting instructions.

The 1-F and 1-R Snap Shims are factory installed (snapped) onto the 3-hole black plastic Standard Base Plate of the cleat.

You must first remove the factory-installed 1-F and 1-R Snap Shims from the 3-hole black plastic Base Plate before snapping the 4-F and 4-R Snap Shims into place. Be sure not to lose the four (4) nuts housed underneath the Snap Shims on each Base Plate when changing the Snap Shims. (Note: Cleat sets sold before July 2006 may contain Snap Shims designated as 3-F and 3-R.)

If a greater range of either forward or rearward adjustment is needed, you may purchase a Speedplay Cleat Extender Base Plate Kit, Part #13330. These plates replace the Speedplay black plastic Standard Base Plates. The Cleat Extender Base Plates provide an extra 2mm of forward adjustment and an extra 14mm of rearward adjustment than the Standard Base Plates.

No. Zero cleats are not compatible with mountain bike shoes.

As with all clipless pedal systems, there is a learning curve to mastering optimal entry technique. Like all Speedplay pedals the entry motion required for Zero pedals is to simply step straight down on the pedal body. Keep your heels down so that your feet are flat and give your foot a slight twist during engagement for best results. If you continue to experience difficulty engaging the pedals after using the proper engagement technique, try lubricating the cleat springs with a dry-type (Teflon or PTFE) lubricant such as Super-Lube Dry Film, RZ-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry Lube, Pro Gold or Blaster Products spray. All of these lubes will facilitate easy entry. Also, check to be sure that the four 4 x 11mm cleat fastening screws have not been over-tightened (See instructions). Over-tightening the screws may prevent the springs from operating properly and can affect engagement.

Be sure that the 4 x 11mm outer fastening screws of the cleats are not over-tightened. Tighten cleat fastening screws until resistance is felt and then tighten no more than ¼ turn. Over-tightening the screws may prevent the springs from operating properly, can affect engagement and retention, and can cause damage to the cleat. Also, ensure that the correct mounting hardware and Snap Shim Kit have been used.

Twist your heel outward to release from Zero pedals. As with all clipless pedals, it is easiest to disengage with your leg fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Replace cleats at least every 3000-5000 miles or sooner if the cleat parts show advanced wear. Lubricating the cleat springs with a dry-type (PTFE) lubricant, keeping the cleats free of dirt and debris by cleaning them regularly and using Zero Coffee Shop Caps (cleat covers) when walking will greatly extend the life of your cleats. Never ride on parts that are damaged or show excessive wear. If you have any doubts about worn parts or their serviceability contact Speedplay or your Speedplay dealer before riding. Never install cleats using any combination of new cleat parts and old cleat parts.

No. Light Action cleats and X cleats cannot be used with Zero pedals, and Zero cleats cannot be used with Light Action or X pedals. Only use Zero cleats with Zero pedals.

Speedplay recommends that you grease the bearings with a synthetic, waterproof grease every 2000 miles or more frequently if you ride in wet or dusty conditions. If the pedals spin freely by hand (more than 1/2 turn before stopping), inject grease immediately to avoid damage to the bearings and spindles. The Zero pedal’s built-in grease port makes greasing quick and easy. Remember, grease is cheap insurance and saves you money on replacement parts by preventing wear or water damage. Speedplay Grease guns and recommended grease are available at your local Speedplay retailer or call us at 1-800-468-6694 to order.

A synthetic, waterproof grease such as marine wheel-bearing grease works best. Speedplay uses waterproof bearing grease in its factory. Do not use thin viscosity grease, spray lubes, oil, or dry-type (PTFE) lubricants on pedal bearings or damage may result. Speedplay Grease guns and recommended grease are available at your local Speedplay dealer or call us at 1-800-468-6694 to order.

Apply pressure to the grease gun when inserting the injector tip into the grease port. Be sure to inject the grease very, very slowly. Turning the pedal body on the spindle while injecting grease will help the grease make its way through the bearings and out the spindle side of the pedal body. When fresh grease comes out after the old grease, put the screw back in, wipe off the excess grease and you are done.

Speedplay sells an industrial quality grease gun with a needle-type injector for $38.00 retail, which includes a tube of waterproof bearing grease. Refill tubes are also available and can be purchased from Speedplay. Check your local Speedplay retailer or call us at 1-800-468-6694 to order directly.

Apply a dry-type(PFTE) lubricant such as SP-LUBE,Super Lube Dry Film, RZ-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry-Lube, Pro Gold, or Blaster Dry Lube to the cleat springs and the center area of the cleat where the pedal nests. Be sure to keep the cleat cavity free from dirt and debris. Additionally, be careful not to apply lubricant to the outer plate of the cleats as it may cause the cleats to become slippery on some floor surfaces.

Speedplay recommends applying a dry-type (PTFE) lubricant such as SP-LUBE, Super-Lube Dry Film, RD-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry Lube, Pro Gold or Blaster Dry Lube to the cleat springs and to the cavity where the pedal nests. DO NOT USE A WET LUBRICANT! Wet lubricants attract dirt and debris and effectively create an abrasive “grinding paste” that causes parts to wear. Additionally, be careful not to apply lubricant to the outer plate of the cleats as it may cause the cleats to become slippery on floor surfaces.

Applying a dry-type(PTFE)lubricant, such as SP-LUBE, Super-Lube Dry Film, RD-50, DuPont Performance Dry, Liquid Wrench Dry Lube, Pro Gold, or Finish Line Dry Lube, to the cleat springs and the cavity of the cleat where the pedal nests as often as before each ride will significantly prolong the life of the cleats and the pedals. The more often you lubricate the better the system will function.

Yes, parts and replacement kits are available from retailers for all current Speedplay pedal systems.

No. Light Action, X and Zero parts kits are not interchangeable.

Speedplay fasteners are available and may be purchased from Speedplay retailers.  Be sure to use genuine Speedplay fasteners because these fasteners are specifically designed and manufactured to exacting dimensions using high performance materials that have been carefully selected and tested for suitability and safety in their application.  Off-the-shelf fasteners are not interchangeable with Speedplay fasteners.  Off-the-shelf fasteners are different from Speedplay fasteners in design, dimension, and the materials selected.  These differences in off-the-shelf fasteners make them unsuitable, inappropriate and unsafe for use in Speedplay Pedal Systems. The use of non-conforming, off-the-shelf fasteners that do not interface correctly with the components of Speedplay Pedal Systems presents a serious safety issue and may cause damage to the pedal system, which could lead to severe bodily injury.  Additionally, use of off-the-shelf, non-conforming fasteners will void the manufacturer's warranty.  

Speedplay cartridge bearing kits are available and may be purchased from Speedplay retailers. Be sure to use genuine Speedplay bearings because the bearings used in Speedplay pedals have been extensively tested and proven for durability and functionality.  Speedplay specifies only top-quality bearings to ensure long term reliability and safety.  Do not be fooled by the claims of some online resellers that their bearings are equal to the high-quality bearings used by Speedplay - not all bearings are of the same quality.  While the cartridge bearings can easily be replaced, do not attempt to remove the needle bearings from the Zero pedal bodies.  The needle bearings used in Speedplay Zero Pedal Systems are permanently bonded in place and cannot be removed from the pedal without damage to the components.  Attempting to remove and replace the needle bearings in Zero pedals may cause damage which could result in severe bodily injury.  Additionally, attempting to remove and replace the needle bearings in Zero pedals will void the manufacturer's warranty. With proper lubrication maintenance, the needle bearings used in Speedplay Zero pedals will easily last the life of the pedals.  If you would like to replace the needle bearings in your pedal bodies, rebuild kits with the bearing factory installed in the Zero pedal bodies are available from Speedplay retailers.   

Speedplay Zero pedals were designed to be user-serviceable and rebuildable.  Because Speedplay pedals are a high-performance product designed for safety and reliability, it is important to only use genuine Speedplay parts available from Speedplay retailers and to carefully follow the steps for disassembly and assembly found in the Speedplay Zero Pedal System instructions.  Do not attempt to remove the needle bearing from the Zero pedal body as it is permanently bonded and cannot be removed without damaging components.  The proper procedure for correctly installing the needle bearing into Zero pedals is critically important.  Therefore, in order to ensure safety and reliability, this operation for all Speedplay Zero, Light Action Titanium, Light Action Stainless, X/1 and X/2 Pedal Systems is only performed under Speedplay supervision at our facility in San Diego, California.  Attempting to remove and replace the needle bearings in Zero pedals or reusing bent or damaged parts may result in severe injury.  Additionally, attempting to remove and replace the needle bearings in Zero pedals will void the manufacturer's warranty.  If the needle bearings in your pedal bodies need to be replaced, rebuild kits with the bearing factory installed in Zero pedal bodies are available from Speedplay retailers.