Tech update – January 10, 2003

Edited by Gerard Knapp

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Tyler Hamilton started his career on Speedplay pedals.
Photo: © Sirotti

CSC clicks into Speedplays for two years

Bjarne Riis' CSC cycling team has reached a two-year agreement to use the US-made Speedplay pedals, with the first outing to be the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under later this month.

"Changing pedals is a big decision. But with Speedplay we have found the best high-end system available," said Bjarne Riis, former TdF winner and general manager of CSC. "Both the riders and I have tested the pedals before the decision was made, and we are all very happy with our new pedals. They are very light and extremely versatile. We know how much the right equipment means in cycling today and for this reason we can only recommend Speedplay."

The CSC roster includes Tyler Hamilton, runner-up in the 2002 Giro d'Italia and third-highest ranked American rider in the UCI professional standings. "I started out my career on Speedplay pedals back in 1993, so it is good to be riding them again," Hamilton said. "Speedplay has always set the standard for comfort and performance by being the lightest and most adjustable pedals on the market. The fixed and free float options of the Zero make them an ideal choice for the full range of cyclists on the CSC team. The exceptional cornering clearance is an extra bonus."

Compact
Photo: © Cyclingnews

Speedplay designer and CEO, Richard Bryne, said the partnership with CSC is a significant opportunity for the company, which he founded in 1991. "We are honoured that CSC recognises the advantages of our design and has chosen to race on Speedplay pedals," said Bryne. Making its debut in 2001, the unique Speedplay Zero is a light-weight, dual-sided clipless pedal that allows a rider to choose either a fixed foot position or up to 15 degrees of float.

The sponsorship with CSC is a coup for the Californian company, which has previously sponsored a range of US-based professional teams. CSC is one of the top 10 teams in the world and the CSC relationship will only help to generate more exposure in the European market as the Zero will be the first American-made pedal system to be raced in the Tour de France.

Zero pedals are designed to offer the feel of traditional road pedals, yet provide dual-sided entry, light weight, easy engagement and disengagement, a low stack height and cornering clearance.

In the Cyclingnews.com review of the Speedplay Zero pedals in November, 2001, tech editor John Stevenson said "For some people Zeros will be the perfect pedals. If you like free float, but want to be able to limit it, and you want a lightweight pedal that's easy to enter and exit with no fumbling to flip over a single-sided mechanism, then Zeros are definitely for you.

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