so speedplay or look?
about to buy a pair. let me know what you prefer and why…
if you have one for sale PM me as well…
I just bought Speedplays after a miserable time with SPDs. I LOVE them - they are like butter to get out of. I also like the fact that they are double-sided. I have read complaints about the complicated cleat system with the Speedplays, but I can’t personally vouch for this.
Neither.
I have three pairs of the Shimano DA and I love them
- lighter than look and you won’t have the problems adapting like with the speedplay.
If you are completely against Shimano, check out the Time RXS pedals.
I had the original Looks back in the day… Went to road SPDs and rode those for YEARS. I kind of joked that I didn’t need Speedplays because I had worn in all the float I needed.
But I just switched to Speedplay a couple months ago. I didn’t even notice the float – it’s just not an issue. As for cleat set-up… What’s the big deal? Follow the instructions.
Just for the weight savings I’d go with Speedplay given those two options. But stick with the CroMo axles if you’re over 150.
either are nice, the larger platform on the looks may mean better power transfer (let the argument begin), if you go to the Look’s page about the new KEO’s they talk about the contact area of the many different pedals. I have the KEOs and they are very nice, easy to get in and out of, large contact area, different cleat for different float (fixed, 4-5d, and 9d), great tension adjustment, and super light. And as a triathlete you don’t need to clip in repeatedly during a race so the dual side isn’t a absolute need like in mtn bike pedals.
Branden
And as a triathlete you don’t need to clip in repeatedly during a race so the dual side isn’t a absolute need like in mtn bike pedals.
Or unless you are training in heavily congested areas.
would the zeros be a lot better for float control? had problems with the float of the speedplays…it made my right knee hurt…
Love my speedplays. Started cycling at the beginning of this year and my knee was killing me. Someone recommended trying speedplays and that was the end of the knee problems. Interestingly, the free float showed me how awful my pedal stroke was, so I could work on correcting it. No wonder my knee was so sore. I find them very easy to get in and out of, and have no problem standing on them, none of that standing on ice feeling that I have heard others refer to. Of course, I got them before I was used to anything else.
IMO (based on what LBS told me): yes, zeros would be better. I don’t have knee problems, so the float is no problem for me. Also see the above post.
I just switched from old school SPD to SPD-SL last week, and so far I am loving the SLs
.
I just switched from old school SPD to SPD-SL last week, and so far I am loving the SLs
I had old school SPDs and wanted to die. My left ankle was perma-swollen and so mushy I could barely run after an hour ride. I hear that the new SPDs are good, but I opted for Speedplays.
Prior to getting injured (rt. knee) was using the speedplays for 3 seasons with no problems but after taking 2 seasons off ffrom the sport…rode on my knee bike with speedplays…i think it was more about how bad my pedalling style was because of the long lay-off that triggered the knee pain…will still check my bank account 
speedplays x2s are a lot cheaper than the zeros stainless…
I rode Look for years…changed over to Speedplays for years and now back to Looks. I liked the ease of clipping in and out of the Speedplays. After I went back to the Looks I found that I was fighting too much float with the Speedplays. my heel was all over Gods creation with them and I didn’t even know it. When I went back to the Looks I found the power transfer was better, as I wasn’t fighting the float of the heel.
I like the Looks better then the Speedplays.
started out with look, switched to speedplays. love the zeros. float can be controlled, plus you can even get some q factor adjustment out of them by how you mount the cleats. no perceivable problems with power transfer either.
i think the better question would be to throw the time pedals in the mix as well, as it seems a lot of people love these as well.
could someone edify me on the possible relationship between knee problems and float this has been something I have ben discussing with my PT he feels no float would be better wheras I have read that the unlimited float of speedplays were bettr for cranky knees
.
yep similar to RSum…i have tried…SPD, Look, Time, ended with Speedplay zeros…
thoughts… they do feel like your heels all over the map when you first switch, but the zero’s are tunable for float and i prefer the lack of a spring centering action on (snapping your heel back to centre) pretty light dependent on the model you cough up for cleats seem to have good durability and/or longevity as opposed to Look and especially Time when you walk around pre or post ride excellent design and easy user accessible grease port to keep them going a long time great cornering clearance for the twisty roads seem to sqeak and sqwonk less than most at cleat to pedal interface nifty colours
I got it wrong in my original post - float is better for knee problems.
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.chooselong
Rotational Freedom (Float)
Rotational freedom is commonly referred to as float. Float is the current hot topic of the clipless pedal world. Float allows riders with knee problems or those trying to avoid knee problems the benefit of some side-to-side heel motion. This allows the pedal to adapt to a rider’s biomechanics. Early designs of clipless pedals had “fixed-position” cleats with no float. Fixed systems hold the foot firmly in place during the pedal stroke and do not allow for the natural twisting motions that occur if a rider stands on the pedals or if he or she happens to have misaligned joints. A common fallacy regarding float and perpetuated for many years is that power is lost if the foot is allowed to float during the pedal stroke. The fallacy started when Time re-introduced a clipless pedal with float. Other pedal manufacturers claimed power transmission is compromised and criticized the alleged benefits of float. Scientific studies have since proved there is no power loss with floating pedals and that lateral free play has been invaluable in preventing chronic knee injuries. As a result, almost all clipless pedals now offer some type of float. Not all float, however, is created equal.
The Speedplay design allows the foot to use as much motion as it requires to prevent torque from hurting the knees.
love my Time rxs’s’s’s but could just be the bike itself!
Never used any Look pedals, but I had been using Speedplays up until a month ago, when I switched to Time RXS. I will never go back to the regular Speedplays (maybe the Zeroes are different): the free float and double-sided entry may look good in theory (and in practice sometimes), but the pedals are downright scary on descends. Have you read any comments about the pedal interface feeling like you’re standing on an ice cube? They’re spot on. In two years I never managed to get used to that sensation, and now being able to compare them with the Times I realise that I had also been losing power on the uphills.
John
depends what size your shoes are. if you are larger than 9.5, its a diminished surface area. i had tos witch since my feet wre going numb.