Road Cycling - pedals??

what are the advantages to "road" pedals, like Looks etc., over "montain bike pedals" like eggbeaters? it seems that with the eggbeaters being so friggin light they would be the best choice for road, do they not keep you in as well?

i've only used road pedals, and i'm looking to buy a new pair and i was just wondering about this, also if anybody has any suggestions for a good pair of pedals, preferably under 150$ it would be greatly appreciated

I'm not sure of the actual difference between road and
mountain pedals other than one would think the mountain
pedals clear mud/muck easier.
For Road (which is all I ride) I recommend Speedplay's.
They're easy to learn, light, and are easy on the knees.
Only downside is the amount of float which feels excessive.
Takes a few rides with em until you get used to them
and the standing on an ice cube feeling.

Marty

You can now purchase road cleats for the eggbeater pedels. I think the only difference is some rubber fingers so you can walk around on them. One of these days im going to change all my bikes over to eggbeaters, i would love to beable to ride any bike with any of my shoes.

Road pedals give you a much wider contact area on the pedal, and they typically hold your shoe more securely; they also let you wear stiff road shoes. The downside -- for some people -- is that you have to wear road shoes, which aren't very convenient for walking.

MTB pedals let you wear MTB shoes, which are better for walking, and are typically much easier to release from.

I personally prefer Look road pedals on my road bike. I have Time ATACs on my 'cross bike and I like them a lot, but I'd still rather wear road shoes and pedals for long rides.

Originally posted by lotek
For Road (which is all I ride) I recommend Speedplay's.
They're easy to learn, light, and are easy on the knees.
Only downside is the amount of float which feels excessive.
Takes a few rides with em until you get used to them
and the standing on an ice cube feeling.


I had that problem too with the Frogs on my roadbike. I did get used to them but never felt truly comfortable with all that much float. I switched over to Zeros which have independently adjustable inboard/outboard float and release angles and have been much happier. I run ATACs on my MTB.

I've been using Bebop pedals on my mountain bikes for years and highly recommend them. It was strange getting used to them because, with so much smooth float, they feel like you're standing on ice, but you get used to them really fast. I've tried Shimano and Time pedals, but they just don't feel as good.

speedplay (http://www.speedplay.com)

Naw, Bebop (http://www.bebop.com/). Much lighter: 175 grams, per pair. :p

I'm gonig to end up buying some Looks... but which model?

I dont really understand each model but I know I dont want to give me left testicle for them and I know I dont want the 396 or wahtever with the little knob at the back that I hear doesnt work and is prone to breaking.

thanks,dave

I too like Speedplays. With good shoes you don't feel the "small" pedal. You never struggle making certain the right side is up. And because they are so small, you don't drag them on hard turns or walking your bike over curbs etc. I think they are great!