I have some cold Classic Look Pedals that I need to replace. I tired out some Speedplay pedals from a friend and did not like them. Considering Shimano Spd- L pedals (Probably Ultegra) or Look Keo Pedals. What would you recommend.
Shimano…bearings are bulletproof, unlike Looks.
What didn’t you like about the Speedplays?
The Shimanos are a little bit better than the Looks from a fitting perspective - they have just a bit more movement fore/aft and laterally.
I switched from Look Keo Blade Carbons to Ultegra PD-6800 and couldn’t be happier. I had no issues with the Look Keo Blades until I broke one of the leaf springs (I had the red version) and found it nearly impossible to have repaired. But now that I’ve switched, I have quickly grown to like the Shimano pedals even more.
I started off on Look’s went to Shimano and I now have a set of speedplays. In my opinion I can’t really justify getting anything other than the cheapest set of 105 pedals you can find. The Look’s were my least favourite due to having to replace the cleats a lot. I got the speedplays as the thought of a large amount of float was appealing. The Shimanos were as near as makes no difference to my favourite to ride in (not the lightest being my only complaint.) The cleats last a good amount of time (for me 6-7 times longer than look - but I did a fair bit of walking in them, commute) and they were by far the cheapest, less than 1/4 the cost of the speedplays and no difference in performance really. The pedals also were about the same after several years of riding as new in terms of bearings, mechanism and function despite the body looking like it had been attacked with a grinder daily after many crashes, corner scuffs and being raced off-road a few times.
They are not so good I’ll be ripping the speedplays off to put them back on, but when the speedplays die I’ll dig out my old set, pop them on and not buy another set of pedals probably for as long as the axle fits into cranks.
Iain
I switched from Shimano SPD SL pedals to Look Keo because of the Garmin Vector units. Riding wise I don’t really notice much difference. The Look’s are said to last less longer but I haven’t had them long enough. Also it is sead the wear is higher on the Looks while walking. Never bought a pedal or shoes for walking though.
Both in Look as in Shimano I have more expensive and cheaper versions of the same pedal (on different bikes) and don’t really notice much difference between the versions except perhaps the few grams you save.
I once switched from Look to spd (without the SL) because you can use
spd-shoes with which you can run through the transition zone (the procedure in which
the shoes are clipped on the bike and which you close after you’ve gotten on the bike
doesn’t suit me).
But with spd I had the feeling of a pressure spot under my feet (the soles of the shoes should
be stiff but they are never perfectly stiff).
So I change now from spd to spd SL. I’m happy with that now, you can
run and walk with the spd SL plates (which is a problem with the Look plates)
and the surface of pressure is a lot larger compared to the normal spd system.
Just went to Shimano. got the DAs but honestly can’t tell the difference between those and the Ultegras that a friend got on the same order with me. Only one ride but like them. I’m switching from the Mavic pedals that aren’t made any longer. I tried look and Speedplay for a few rides. Looks felt very similar, Speedplays just didn’t feel right(maybe just me). Shimanos feel solid.
My Shimano pedals have lasted through at least three bikes. They are probably 20 years old and still going strong. They use the look compatible cleat.
I recently switched from SPDs (entry level model) to KEO classics as I also bought a Vector and I’d say that I prefer them if anything. Although the difference is pretty small IMO.
The mechanisms are near identical, so the feel is the same.
Get mavic or time #yolo
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Keos- lighter. cleats are lower in profile but wear faster. plastic body can actually break if crashed- seen a few instances of it. generlaly can be gotten cheaper than shimanos on closeout. less float options.
shimanos- bulletproof bearings. 105 and ultegra have higher Q factor, if that is a problem. dura aces dont.
Tolerances on dura ace pedals are better than ultegra/dura ace. mrtal bodied pedals ( 7900 and below) are essentially bombproof- have a set going on 7 years that have been crashed multiple times and still work fine.