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The Zero is Back: Wahoo Speedplay pedals put new spin on old favorite + future power meter

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It’s been more than 31 years since the first Speedplay pedals were invented in the garage of Richard Bryne and Sharon Worman. A lot has changed since then, including the ownership of Speedplay. After decades of innovating pedal designs for both road and off-road, Wahoo issued a surprise announcement that they had purchased the storied brand.

Based on Wahoo’s growing portfolio of electronic training devices, you could guess that the brand probably hoped to develop their own power meter pedal. But Wahoo also knew that there were a lot of fans of Speedplay pedals out there that weren’t ready to switch to a single-sided pedal. Wahoo tells us that their mission was to consolidate and streamline the brand, keeping the best parts and making small updates where needed.

Which brings us to the new Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System. It’s basically everything riders loved about the Speedplay Zero, but with updates that should make it more durable with less maintenance. Fan of the Speedplay Frogs? Sorry to inform you, but the Speedplay offroad line is no more.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System in boxes

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System packaging

With four pedals all based on the Speedplay Zero, the Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System has the advantage of requiring fewer SKUs with more cross compatibility between parts. That’s good news for both consumers and dealers, making them easier to service on both ends.

Backwards, and Forwards Compatible (with Zeros)

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System side profile

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System cleats on shoes

Functionally, the new pedals work just like the old Zeros. That means new and old Zeros are cross compatible. You can use the new Wahoo cleats with old Zero pedals, or the old cleats with new Wahoo Zero pedals. Note that this only applies to the legacy Zero pedals and cleats – not any other Speedplay pedals.

Speedplay pedals were unique in that the ‘lollipop’ design offered a pedal with two sides to clip onto, with the actual spring mechanism in the cleat itself. That doesn’t change. However, the pedal ditches the legacy ‘bowtie’ plates in favor of a more durable metal ring. The pedal still has the same attachment points, just with a different shape to the metal plate on either side of the pedal.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System cleat parts Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System float adjustment on cleat

Like the legacy cleats, the Wahoo cleat is a multi-piece affair with a c-shaped metal spring and housing with adjustable float, a protector plate, cleat cover, cleat surround, and base plate & shims. All of the Wahoo Speedplay pedals now feature 0-15° of micro-adjustable float. One of the unique things to Speedplay is that the float can be adjusted so it keeps your heel in or out depending on your pedaling needs.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System base plate

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System base plate shims

Starting with the base plate, the new cleats are still compatible with both 3 hole and four hole shoes. The cleat itself is still a flat plate, so if you’re running a 3 hole shoe, the adapter is curved to fit most shoes and includes additional shims to fine tune the fit.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System assembled cleat

Once the adapter plate is installed, the cleat gets installed on top. It’s important not to over-torque these tiny Phillips head screws – 2.5Nm is all that is needed.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System cleat on shoe Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System dry lube reminder

Once everything is installed, the rubberized cleat covers snap over top offering a dimpled surface that claims to reduce drag. The rubber surface also makes it easier to walk around in the cleats, which is important because the cleat protrudes from the sole quite a bit. Again, just like prior cleats, Wahoo recommends using a dry lube on the cleat spring regularly.

For those unfamiliar with Speedplay cleats, having the spring mechanism on the bottom of your shoe in a pocket makes them a little more susceptible to jamming up with mud and debris while walking around. Which is why Wahoo specifically states that these are for road bikes only. However, the raised and rubberized cleat cover should offer plenty of protection for the cleat under normal circumstances – just don’t go trudging through the mud.

Easy Tension

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System easy tension Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System easy vs standard tension spring identify

For those looking for an easier entry, Wahoo will offer a second option – the Easy Tension Cleat. These are identified by the grey cleat surround, and the # on the spring itself instead of a star. These offer the same 0-15° adjustable float, just with a light-action spring for easier pedal engagement.

Every pedal gets the Standard Tension Cleat in the box with the exception of the Comp. The Comp pedals will include the Easy Tension Cleat standard.

Less Maintenance for Smooth Spinning

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System with bearings no grease port

Back to the pedal itself, another big change is in how you service it. Or don’t. Previous Speedplay designs had a grease port in the end of the pedal body. This was meant for you to use a special grease gun to force lubricant through the pedal body, flushing out the old grease from the other side. It worked, but in my years at a shop that specialized in Speedplay service, it was something that most riders tended to neglect.

The fix? Wahoo has opted for the use of a combination of triple sealed cartridge and needle bearings which should need minimal maintenance at most.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System new axle

Another small change? No more wrench flats on the axle. Instead, an Allen wrench fitting has been added to the end of the axle for hidden access. Those axles will also be offered in four different lengths for the Zero model to keep the ability to custom tune pedal setups for unique rider needs. That provides options for the standard 53mm q-factor, or 56, 59, and 65mm q-factors from the separately available axles.

Before you ask in the comments, no, the new Wahoo Speedplay pedals are not made in the U.S. They are made in Vietnam, apparently in the same factory that manufactures Wahoo’s KICKR trainers.

Models

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System chart

About that streamlining… currently, the Wahoo Speedplay line will consist of four pedals. Three of which are basically the same, just with a difference of materials. The Nano, the Zero, and the Comp all offer the same performance but with a titanium spindle and carbon composite body at the top end and a matching $449.99 price tag for the Nano, and a chromoly spindle with Grivory (thermoplastic) body for the Comp which gets the price down to $149.99.

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System aero pedals

The Aero is the fourth option, which takes the dual sided design of the pedal and eliminates one of those sides for aero gains. Thanks to the domed fairing on one half of the pedal, the cleat forms a smooth transition with the cleat, all with a full dimpled surface. The Aero pedal checks in with a stainless steel spindle and Grivory body for $279.99.

What about the Power Meter Pedal?

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System power meter

For now, Wahoo is basically just teasing us with the knowledge that, yes, there will be a power meter pedal. Probably later this summer. We know that it is called the POWRLINK Zero, and it will be a dual sided pedal, just like the standard Wahoo Zeros. With a stainless spindle, the pedals claim to weigh 276g, with price TBA.

Actual Weights

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System actual weight Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System actual weight cleat

Wahoo sent over a pair of the Zero models to check out, and on our scale a single pedal checked in at 110g. That puts a pair 2g under the claimed weight of 222g. A single cleat with all the hardware needed to mount to a curved, three hole shoe checks in at 74g.

Availability

Wahoo Speedplay Advanced Pedal System on bike

With the exception of the Wahoo Speedplay Nano, all of the pedals are shipping today. Those wanting the lightest option won’t have to wait long – the shipping date of the Nano is expected in April, 2021.

wahoofitness.com

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43 Comments
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yanksphan
yanksphan
3 years ago

Pedals do not change q-factor, they change stance. Q-factor is the distance between the crank arms.

Rob
Rob
3 years ago

Great news that Wahoo have committed to keeping Speedplay pedals going, have been using them for years and would hate to change. Do you know if existing Speedplay cleats will work with the new Wahoo-branded pedals? – i.e. does a new set of pedals mean having to change all cleats on multiple shoes?

Gillis
Gillis
3 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Rob, it’s clearly stated if you bothered to read it.

dartmouth11
3 years ago

its ridiculous that canadians cannot get cleats… come on ! The cycling distribution mafia is really obscene

typevertigo
typevertigo
3 years ago

So – not user-serviceable then?

Reubenmc
Reubenmc
3 years ago

RIP Frogs… for you dedicated lifetime Frog users out there. Where are you going next? I can probably stretch my current sets another 5 yrs. maybe someone can pick up a license on the design and keep them going?

OriginalMV
OriginalMV
3 years ago
Reply to  Reubenmc

I still have a stash of Frog cleats, but I’m thinking that I’ll eventually go to Time ATAC pedals. There are Chinese knockoffs of X series pedals floating out there, but I haven’t figured out if the pedals & cleats are compatible with legit X pedals. I am hoping that some company (again, most likely Chinese) decides to do the same with Frogs, but I’m not holding my breath.

Neil
Neil
3 years ago
Reply to  OriginalMV

Would be phenomenal is someone picked up the Intellectual Property and kept the Frogs going. They are the only pedals I can use, due to my messed up legs and ankle shapes/orientation. I guess I could move to flats but that sucks. I have two Frogs on two mountain bikes and on my last set of cleats. I was out of the zone for a year (new baby) and Wahoo kills Speedplay’s MTB/gravel pedals. sad.

Jim Matheny
Jim Matheny
3 years ago

I’ve been running X-2’s for 30 years. Got. them on four bikes. I guess I’ll be up the creek when my stash of cleats run out.

Dolan
Dolan
3 years ago

I’m still running the X series, and have been since the early 90s. I really hope Wahoo will still offer cleats for them.

Cedrick
3 years ago

I love pedaling on Zero’s but absolutely hated that cleat from a maintenance perspective. I Suffered screws falling/ backing out and springs that wouldn’t clip in if they got at all dirty. I’m a heavy, powerful rider so suspect some of those issues wouldn’t be had by most users. Are there any tips to make the system work better for me?

Jaap
Jaap
3 years ago
Reply to  Cedrick

Don’t know when you last tried them. But the last-gen Speedplay cleats (and now current-gen Wahoo cleats) use screws with dimples on the bottom of the head to keep them in place. That fixed all my issues with screws coming loose.

However (like stated in the article) these are road cleats/pedals and don’t work with dirt at all.

Dolan
Dolan
3 years ago
Reply to  Cedrick

I never had screws loosening (of course I used blue loctite) but the aluminum screws on the outer plate do get worn down and impossible to remove. I solved that problem with the horribly named yet incredibly effective “Keep On Kovers”. Two years later and the cleat bottoms look like new.

nooner
nooner
3 years ago

Wait, is this Mark Pippin approved?

switchollie
switchollie
3 years ago

#SAVETHEFROGS

Kevo
Kevo
3 years ago

I was wondering if the legacy zero axles are compatible with the wahoo body.

Mike
Mike
3 years ago

I like the metal ring. I wear out the plastic pedal housings – so this is a good step up. I wish they had kept the flat ends for pedal spanners though.

Charleroi
Charleroi
3 years ago

I love my Frogs and would put them on all my bikes if they were re-introduced. Just 250 g, they work well in all climates and you can walk in the cleats.

Bart Bart
Bart Bart
3 years ago

I have cleats in stock at my store, I’m in Canada….

Neil
Neil
3 years ago
Reply to  Bart Bart

Bart Bart- do you still have any? If so, how may I contact you? Thanks…Neil

OriginalMV
OriginalMV
3 years ago

I’m calling malarkey on the new metal inserts being a durability-focused design change. The old bow ties lasted most pedals for the duration of their use, and the rare Zero Pavé pedals demonstrated that the pedal body didn’t require a round shape to function with the Zero cleat.

Wahoo moved production overseas, which meant that they would have to create tooling mainly from scratch. I’m sure they could have easily repeated the old bow tie design, but the new design leaves room for a Wahoo logo smack in the middle of the pedal body. I don’t think it’s likely that the new design is inferior than the old, but neither do I think it holds any functional advantage. The new pedal design does indeed look nice, but let’s not pretend that this was an engineering decision.

Gillis
Gillis
3 years ago
Reply to  OriginalMV

Good call.

Speedplayer
Speedplayer
3 years ago
Reply to  OriginalMV

Old speedplays develop a pretty noticeable roll as the pedal body wears away, I assume the new full steel surround addresses that issue.

TheKaiser
3 years ago
Reply to  OriginalMV

In reply to OriginalMV, many Speedplay riders, including myself, and Mike who commented above, had issues with the plastic lateral portions of the pedal body wearing, which allowed the shoe/cleat to rock side to side on the pedal, even if it was securely clipped in. In other words, even with brand new cleats, the shoe/cleat would not be stable in a “roll” axis, as it only contacted the for/aft metal portions of the pedal, which, as you point out, would hardly exhibit any wear. I’d always wanted the Pave pedal you mention specifically because they swapped to metal for the whole body, thus reducing wear, but the price was insanely high, making it more cost effective to just keep replacing Zeros when the plastic body would get so worn as to be intolerable. For those reasons, I think this new “metal ring” design is a great functional update, regardless of if it also has the potential to brand the pedal with a logo.

Mark Pippin
Mark Pippin
3 years ago
Reply to  OriginalMV

“3” Series pedals were already made overseas as well as the cleats. So, more of moving the remaining USA made stuff.

Hurricane
3 years ago

Kinda think that Speedplay….Whoops… Wahoo would have introduced an offroad pedal. Mountain bikes and gravel are what’s hot(besides Ebikes, which they can make a ebike model which cancels out the motor?)
Nothing against road bikes, I ride them too, but the other markets are way bigger.

TheKaiser
3 years ago

Same here with wearing out the lateral portions of the old plastic pedal bodies. The new metal ring design looks far superior in that regard.

zombieweekly
zombieweekly
3 years ago

AND THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE PLUS SCREWS

Treve Kneebone
Treve Kneebone
3 years ago

Grivory? I hope that no elephants were harmed during the development of these pedals?

JL
JL
3 years ago

There is always the possibility of mud when stopping on the side of the road to change a tire or when taking a bathroom break. What gravel bike ride doesn’t have dirt and mud on the roadsides? What if you ride to work, are these cleats good for walking inside a building and up a flight of stairs? I use frogs because SPDs are bad for my knees, and mountain bike/touring shoes allow me to have one pair that does it all. Perhaps they might be coming out with an every person pedal later this year. I used to ride x-series. Small stones and gravel were the problem for me.

satanas
satanas
3 years ago

Wahoo have yet to say one word about Syzr pedals. We know Frogs are dead, and that Wahoo apparently never made the run of cleats promised for last August. IMHO, the Syzrs did almost everything the other Speedplay pedals did, whilst offering more custom fitting options, plus walkability – then of course they disappeared without warning. It will take a lot of work on Wahoo’s part to foster any trust on the part of former X-Series/Frog/Syzr users, or make any new sales – of anything. 🙁

Bye mainland
Bye mainland
3 years ago
Reply to  satanas

It’s a great shame if the Syzr is dead. I got them on my gravel bikes and on my fat bike. No issues, just great performance. I think they got off to a bad start with the BikeRadar review back in 2015. It’s still the second result that comes up when googling them. Had they been launched two years later and marketed towards the gravel crowd, things could have been very different. Now let’s see how much the cleats will sell for at eBay…

Sheldom Brown
Sheldom Brown
3 years ago

Well, I had frogs running smoothly since 1998. Yes, same set of pedals, swapped steel spindles for titanium, then recently changed the plastic body, even if it was unnecessary. Cleats I swapped a couple times and i have abrand new set of spare cleats. Best pedal system ever. Will run for a few more years, after that I go to Shimano mtb, I am not buying into any other system with specific cleats, no thanks. I will run shimano mtb, even on my road bikes. I have zero ti on my road bike now. next ones shimano mtb. with carbon sole sidi mtb shoes, the so called now gravel shoes

Beau
Beau
3 years ago

Also switching to Time ATAC after years of Frog love. Never ridden a pedal that clipped in or out as easy as the Frog and still held tight. Their one achilles heel was mud, but for everything else they performed excellently. They will be missed. The ATAC holds really well, but clipping in is fussier for sure. Maybe Wahoo will sell the Frog design to some up and coming company?

Mark Pippin
Mark Pippin
3 years ago

I really don’t have a horse in this race, but I’m happy with the changes overall. Hope they continue with Zero’s at some point.

Tim Sexton
Tim Sexton
3 years ago

Maybe if everyone bugs them, they will make an off-road version? It seems like they do have a loyal following. And- how hard it can it be to make a slightly different version for use with MTB pedals?

Clinton Blacksmith
Clinton Blacksmith
3 years ago
Reply to  Tim Sexton

Try It.

FrenchPress
FrenchPress
3 years ago

The SYZR was the biggest pile of junk. It was launched as a MTB pedal but would either unclip when not needed or not unclip when needed. I got an early pair (along with 2 other people I rode with) and all of us had horrible crashes because the pedal didn’t work. They relaunched it as a gravel pedal because it was the only way it would sell, and they got limited results there.

Wahoo does need to launch a MTB style pedal and I am assuming they are working on it. But let the SYZR stay dead.

briannystrom
briannystrom
3 years ago

The pedals and cleats are on Wahoo’s site. The cleats are $55, but now come with surrounds that go under the cleat covers, which didn’t come with the original Zero walkable cleats.

For anyone who might be interested, Chinese knock-offs of the old style Zero cleat are available for for as little as $15, for just the cleats without the base plates.

I have a bunch of Frogs that I’m planning to put on Ebay, along with some rather well-used cleats.

I have Syzrs on a couple of bikes and I really like them. The disengagement can get a bit iffy in really dry, dusty conditions, but they handle mud and slush really well. Hopefully Wahoo will continue to make the cleats at least, but there’s nothing on their site currently.

Rodrigo Diaz
Rodrigo Diaz
3 years ago

They already had them! Frogs, and my preferred mix-road pedals, the Syzr. Hope at least the latter made it back. They feel as good as road pedals when riding long events.

satanas
satanas
3 years ago

Syzrs make fantastic walkable road pedals, and I’ve not had any issues with small amounts of dirt, or with unexpected ejection (as can happen with worn Frog cleats). I’ve not used them in sticky mud, and avoid riding in those conditions; ATACs are supposed to be the best then.

No pedal is going to suit everyone, but that doesn’t mean they’re all crap. Please note that I’m not at all fond of Wahoo(!), and wasn’t too pleased with some of Speedplay’s actions before the sale, but biomechanically their products have worked for me. Since all three Speedplay pedal systems I have were made extinct by Wahoo(!), I won’t be giving them my business anytime soon. The big question is what to do once the cleats wear out… 🙁

syncronicity95
3 years ago

i don’t know if anyone will bother with it – the large plastic molding will be a problem

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