Building up your own Speedplay pedals

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welchy
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 4:04 pm

by welchy

Hey everybody, just wandering who has built up their own lightweight speedplay pedals and if so who have you used for spindles etc?

After a bike fit i've been told 1/8" extended spindles would be good, i've currently got Speedplay chromo zeros and they weigh a ton!

Any advice/links would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Tom

shimmeD
Posts: 544
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:52 pm
Location: eNZed

by shimmeD

Ward Industries.
Try searching ti spindles
Less is more.

by Weenie


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Mr.Gib
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by Mr.Gib

And if you ever need to do any servicing here are some handy instructions:

The needle bearings on all models of Speedplay road bike pedals are NOT fused or glued in any way and are very easy to change out. Instructions below.

The only differences between the X1 and X2 are spindle material and body color. You can rebuild your X1’s with X2 bodies with NO problems. They are the exact same except for color. No need to spend $100+ to rebuild your pedals.

I have measured the internals of all of the models listed below using a micrometer and found that they are all identical and cross-compatible. The bodies, cleats and bowties are different, but inside they are all the same.

X1 & X2.
Zero Ti, Stainless & Chromoly.
Light Action Ti & Stainless

You can interchange bodies and spindles between all pedals listed above. Note: Ti spindles are 2mm shorter. You can use Ward Ti spindles on any of the models listed above.

X5 (aka X3) and Light Action Chromoly are completely different inside and not compatible with the other pedals listed above.

To do a full rebuild requires the following items which can be found at any bearing/hardware supply company:

2 each - HK1010 Needle Bearings. Measurements: OD=14mm BORE=10mm WIDTH=10mm.

2 each - Bearing 136 also known as 686z, 686zz, 686 z, 686 zz. Measurements: OD=13mm BORE=6mm WIDTH=5mm

2 each - Bearing 137 also known as 137z, 137zz, mr137, mr137z, mr137zz, mr 137, mr 137 z, mr 137 zz. Measurements: OD=13mm BORE=7mm WIDTH =4mm

2 each - Inner Retaining Ring BORE=1/2" WIDTH=0.03"

2 each - Rubber O-Ring. ID=5/16" OD=7/16" WIDTH=1/16"

For those of you wanting to lighten up your pedals with aluminum or titanium screws the screw size is:

Bowtie Screws - M4 x 0.7 x 17mm recessed flat head in Stainless Steel. 17mm is the total length of the screw top-to-bottom. 16mm is much easier to find and there should be no problems using the shorter screws for this application. Some flat head screws have a head that is too tall and can protrude from the top of the bowtie. Make sure you get low head screws.

Spindle Screws - M4 x 0.7 x 8mm button head in Furnace Black Steel. 8mm is the length of the threads below the head.



To replace the bearings unscrew the grease port screw. Using a pick pry off the dust cap. Older pedals will not have the grease port or port screw. Next, remove the spindle screw by using a torx bit or allen wrench (depending on the type of screw) and either a 6mm or 8mm Hex in the Spindle or a 15mm wrench on the Spindle flats (depending on your spindle type).

If, at this point, the screw is stuck do not overtorque it or you will risk stripping out the head. The loctite is seizing the screw. Disclaimer: any carelessness can result in injury. You will need to heat the screw to melt the loctite. To do so get a hex bit screw driver and hex bit with the proper torx or allen head for the screw. A hex bit is a small bit the that slides into a quick-change screw driver. Do a Google search for 'hex bit if you don't know or go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Torx_drivers.jpg Place just the hex bit into the screw holding the pedal with the screw straight up. Now with a blow torch or good heat gun heat up the end of the bit (furthest point away from the pedal)until it is red hot making sure you do not heat the pedal body. Wait for about 30 seconds to allow the heat from the bit to transfer into the screw melting the loctite. Then slide the hex bit screw driver onto the bit and unscrew. If heated thoroughly the screw will unscrew with minimal effort.

With the screw removed you can now slide the entire body assembly off. The old o-ring should be on the spindle. Remove and discard. Wipe the spindle clean and set aside. Using a retaining ring tool compress the ring and pull straight out. Now using a punch or screw driver carefully tap out the 2 bearings. Discard the old retaining ring and bearings.

Flip the pedal body around to the side with the needle bearing. On the outside lip of the bearing is a thin wire retaining ring. Most all early models do not have this retaining ring. If your dust cap does not have a grease port screw, it probably does not have the retaining ring. Take a pick and pry up one side of the retaining ring. Then with a pair of pliers pull it out. If it is damaged don't worry. You can usually bend it back and tap it in. If not it is not a 'necessary' piece and you can use your pedals without it. No problem. Flip the pedal over and you will see 2 slots behind the needle bearing. Take a small flat blade screw driver and insert into one of the slots and tap with a rubber mallet. The needle bearing will pop right off. Note that the old bearing will now be damaged and is not re-useable. Wipe the inside clean.

To reassemble first place the new o-ring onto the spindle about 1/3 of the way. Now take the new needle bearing and slide it in as far as you can by hand. Make sure the lettering is on the outside as each side is slightly different. Then carefully tap it with a rubber mallet until it is flush with the pedal body. Take the old needle bearing and place it on the new bearing and tap with a rubber mallet until it is completely seated. Discard the old needle bearing. Take the metal retaining ring and tap it into the slot. Now take the pedal body and slide in the 2 bearings making sure you slide in the thinner bearing first. Make sure the bearings are seated all the way in before installing the retaining ring. The ring should clip into the groove in the pedal body. Take the body assembly and slide it back onto the spindle making sure the o-ring seats properly. Take the spindle screw and dab a little blue loctite onto the threads and screw it in. Do not use green or red loctite as you will not be able to remove the screw in the future. Tighten to 3.5nm torque which is equal to 30in/lb or 2.5ft/lb. Install the dust cap and grease the pedal with a grease gun. Screw in the grease port screw and you're done!! The pedals will feel slightly stiff to start with but will loosen up after a few miles. New or freshly greased pedals may leak grease for the first few rides which is completely normal.
wheelsONfire wrote: When we ride disc brakes the whole deal of braking is just like a leaving a fart. It happens and then it's over. Nothing planned and nothing to get nervous for.

velomane
Posts: 243
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2004 1:44 am
Location: Winnipeg, Canada

by velomane

Wow! Fantastic post Mr.Gib. Thanks so much for taking the time.

welchy
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 4:04 pm

by welchy

Absolutely incredible help Mr Gib, thanks so much guys! I will feedback with progress!!

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MattSoutherden
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by MattSoutherden

And if you don't have a blow torch, heat up the screw with the tip of a soldering iron.
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ms6073
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by ms6073

shimmeD wrote:Ward Industries.

I am guessing Speedplay must have sent them a cease & desist letter as they no longer list replacement spindles for Speedplay.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

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ManekiNico
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by ManekiNico

You can still order spindles for "those" pedals from Ti Spindles (Ward Industries), you just have to email them as I learned on this forum.

Here's the info they sent me earlier this month (May 2016, prices in USD):
We do now have Sleek No Wrench Flat Zero Replacement Ti Spindles available. We measure our spindles end-to-end unlike some vendors but our Standards are comparable to the originals.

The Chromoly Stainless Standard Ti Replacement version is 78.6mm (62g) and costs $59/set (This length is temporarily out of stock). The Titanium Standard nano length is 76.2mm (61g) and also costs $59/set. Our Short spindle is 72.4mm (55g) and costs $59/set. Our Long version is 82.55mm (64g) and costs $62/set. The Longest version is 85.8mm (68g/set) and costs $63/set. Now we are also offering an Ultra Long Zero (91.8mm) for $70/set.

Suggested weight limit on these is 235 lbs except the long versions which is 200 lbs.

Add shipping costs ($6.90 for USA, $25 to Canada and $34 International). If you prefer faster delivery that is trackable we also offer shipping by Expressmail ($25 for USA and $60 International).

I ordered the nano length. They actually came in at 54g for the pair, so I'm pretty happy about that. One week from order to delivery in Canada. YMMV

I also bought some Ti spindle bolts (they don't come with the Ward spindles) from Toronto Cycles, as well as some J&L Ti bowties and screws on eBay. Per pedal, I've gone from 110g (stock 2014 CrMo Zeros) to 69g (rebuilt).

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ManekiNico
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by ManekiNico

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ms6073
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Location: Houston, Texas

by ms6073

ManekiNico wrote:You can still order spindles for "those" pedals from Ti Spindles (Ward Industries), you just have to email

So sounds like even though Ward may have gotten one of the infamous letters which prevents the company from advertising replacement parts for 'those' pedals, does not sound like it has precluded manufacture and sale. :D
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

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BRM
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Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 3:43 pm

by BRM

There are already many topics around Speedplay, no need for another one.

just a few:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=135750

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=81464

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=139029

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ms6073
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Location: Houston, Texas

by ms6073

Following advice from another thread in this forum, yesterday I ordered a set of the Speedplay Ti 'short' replacement spindles from titaniumspindles.com and upon receiving the tracking number, was surprised to find these were shipped from a company located right across town. :D
Last edited by ms6073 on Tue May 24, 2016 7:59 pm, edited 7 times in total.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

Butcher
Shop Owner
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by Butcher

It's against the rules to advertise that you have them for sale. Rarely you will not see anyone that lives outside of China that has them for sale. Email them and ask.

welchy
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 4:04 pm

by welchy

ms6073 wrote:Following advice from another thread, I ordered a set of the Speedplay Ti 'short' replacement spindles from [url]Tispindle.com[/url] and was surprised to find the company is located located right across town from our house. :D


Brilliant, do you have any pics of them/could you pm me who you used by any chance?

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BRM
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by BRM

Just read the other topics please

Tispindle.com = Ward
or
http://www.titaniumspindles.com/
or
http://stores.ebay.com/tispindle

(older info)
The Standard version is 76.2mm(55gr/set) and costs $57/set.
The Short Spindle in this model is 72.4mm(54gr/set) and costs $57/set.
The Long version of this model is 82.55mm(63gr/set) and costs $60/set.
The longest version is 85.8mm(66gr/set) and costs $61/set.

Weight limit on these is 235 pounds.

These spindles also fit X-2 models.

Add shipping costs ($5.15 for USA and $13.25 International).
If you prefer faster delivery that is trackable we also offer shipping by Expressmail ($20 for USA and $30 international)



Look to your existing pedals how long spindles you prefer. In general most people dont want shorter to avoid scratching chainstay with your shoes or similar problems with cranks.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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