This is my third set of stainless steel Speedplay Zero pedals. After 1100 miles on this set, it's still too early for me to report on longevity of the new sealed bearings. I had 30,000 miles and 25,000 miles on my first and second sets. They required periodic lubrication with a grease gun and were often messy since the grease oozed from the inside of the pedal housing. The bearings were fine over their respective lifetimes, but the pedal design did not have the stainless steel completely around the body like the new version. Hence, the hard plastic wore down over time. The new version seems to take more effort to clip in and out of the pedal than the older style. It requires me to be more focused on this maneuver, but it does provide more assurance of staying clipped in under hard efforts. Since I clip in and out a lot during rides, I appreciate the two-sided entry. I can quickly clip in and get up to speed from stopping at red lights or stop signs.
I run the pd-m9100 on all my gravel bikes but I wanted to see how the platform felt on a mountain bike. Very solid feel but the outer cage deflects the rock garden type stuff from hitting your shoe and knocking it off the pedal. So while they are a bit heavier than some other spd pedals they have the benefit of some minor protections. Few hundred miles on them already and don't think I'll be swapping to the m9100s any time soon. At this price these are a steal.
These inexpensive Shimano pedals will last a very long time if they are well maintained. This is my second pair. I bought the first pair probably over 20 years ago. And they have been on a lot of different bikes since then. They still work perfectly and show very little wear. I have never had to do anything to them. I just keep them clean and that's it. The bearings are still perfectly smooth and don't have hardly any play in them at all. Not enough to even notice. And that's only in one of them. The other has no play. But it is still as smooth as glass. The originals have a polished aluminum main body. The new ones are black. And they both have the same chrome steel adjustable clip-ins. They are both easy to clip in and unclip. They are a very good value and well worth the money. If I ever need another pair I will probably buy another pair of these.
I've been using these pedals for a few weeks now, and they've exceeded my expectations! The build quality is exceptional ' they feel solid and durable. I appreciate the wide platform, which provides excellent stability and comfort during long rides. Whether on gravel roads or single track, these pedals performed flawlessly, giving me the confidence to take on more challenging rides. Installation was straightforward, and they fit perfectly on my bike. Overall, these pedals are a must-have for any gravel or mountain bike rider looking for a reliable, high-performance upgrade. Highly recommended!
