Pedals, what do you get for 100 more?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have read just about every thread on here through the search function.
My question is, other than weight and flashiness, what are the differences between cheap and expensive pedals?

For example…
Shimano PD-R540
$50
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18304&subcategory_ID=10046

verse

Shimano Ultegra PD-6620 SPD-SL
$125
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24075&subcategory_ID=10046

2

The biggest difference is most likely weight. But for $25 more, you can get the Look Keo Carbon from Pro Bike Kit which is a really good deal. Sometimes they have them on sale for $125.

Shimano PD-R540: 330 grams
Shimano Ultegra PD-6620: 317 grams
Look Keo Carbon: 230 grams

3

Bearings.

Usually more expensive pedals can be set to have a higher release tension.

Materials, but this tends to get into the weight area.

4

Less weight. (Plus trace amounts of hype.)

Less weight in the pedals, and less weight in your wallet.

I use “uber-spendy” (haha!!) Performance-branded Wellgo SPD-compatible pedals. They are like $50 or so.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=6503&subcategory_ID=10046
OK, I stand corrected, on sale they are $45.
And Performance has a 20% off one item sale going, fwiw. So now they’d be $36.

After 2+ seasons, my current set is dying a slow death, so the replacement pair is already waiting in the wings.
(now, why these pedals “only” last say 2 seasons, when my very similar OEM ones for my Klein, which was a '99, are still going, is beyond me…)

Anyway, I have never once said, “gee - I wish I had more expensive pedals, these things are really slowing me down on the bike.”

It’s also that I have SPD pedals on every bike in the house, so I can ride any bike, with any shoes, at any time, without changing anything.
(so I am cheap, AND lazy :wink:

YMMV.