Road Cycling - pedal recommendation

I am looking for a recommendation on pedals. I have a pre-existing knee problem and am looking for a pedal system that offers _smooth_ foot rotation when clipped-in. Ever since my knee injury, I am very sensitive to proper cleat adjustment.

I currently use a LOOK pedal with the red cleat (with Sidi Genius shoes - not that that should matter). This setup has enough free rotation (something on the order of 9^), but it is not smooth rotation. It seems that the design, the bottom of the cleat sliding against the base of the pedal, makes smooth rotation impossible.

Any suggestions on other pedal systems that might fit my needs would be appreciated.

Mark

Probably Coombe or speedplays. the speedplay cleat is vulnerable to damage, and if it breaks on the road, you are SOL. but they do allow a lot of rotation.

My vote is for the speedplays.

I'll third the motion for Speedplays. I believe they have some now for less than $100.

Cat2,

I have BAD knees :( and was really concerned
about clipless pedals. On recomendation from
alot of others I went with Speedplay.
A couple of things I noticed:

They do feel like standing on an ice cube
for the first couple of times using them,
you'll get used to that and learn to
ignore the feeling.

I don't concern myself with position
of my feet relative to frame (parallell
or not) I just let em go where they naturally
want, hasn't been a problem.

They are REALLY easy to get into and out of.

I've had zero, none, nada problems with
knees after a year on the speedplays.
I imagine that any of the new pedals with
lots of float would be the same? not sure here.
In a word, I love em.

Marty

Thanks for the replys folks. I now have some info to help me make a decision.

Mark

Lotek and Cat,

I too went from Looks to the Speedplays because of my rt knee. I didn't think the "ice feel" was much of a problem. My concern was getting out of the pedals. It is a lot more difficult than the Looks but Speedplays feel MUCH better on the knees. Cat you may have to try them for yourself. Hope that helps.

I changed from Look Pedals to Speedplay about 2 1/2 months ago. I am very happy now that I have adjusted to the different feel of the Speedplays. The "standing on an ice cube" metaphor was a good one. The first time I got out of the saddle, I thought my feet were going to rotate right off those pedals and leave me high centered on my top tube. But after I have gotten use to them, I can spirt hard with confidence. I haven't heard about cleats breaking. I would like to hear more on that subject. I am 6 foot 9 and weight 260 lbs, and therefore I am kinda hard on my equipment. I pick the cro-moly spindles carefully for that reason. No problems so far (knock on wood), but tell more about the broken cleats please.

Mesa Flyer,

I have NO experience with Speedplay cleats
breaking per se, however they do get pretty
messed up when you walk on em.
I bought the cafe covers (or whatever they call em).

Best advice I have about Splays, don't tighten down
too hard on the screws when mounting them.
this makes clipping in almost impossible.
FWIW I love mine.

Marty

I was an SPD user for a few years, but there was always a twinge in my right knee so decided to switch and bought Time. I love 'em. There is enough float there for me, and my knee no longer hurts ever!

I also liked the Time because the cleat is recessed making it easy to walk.

Originally posted by lotek
Mesa Flyer,

I have NO experience with Speedplay cleats
breaking per se, however they do get pretty
messed up when you walk on em.
I bought the cafe covers (or whatever they call em).

Best advice I have about Splays, don't tighten down
too hard on the screws when mounting them.
this makes clipping in almost impossible.
FWIW I love mine.

Marty

You're right about the speedplay cleats getting damaged from walking on them much easier (or so it seems). When you say don't overtighten the screws, are you talking about the screws securing the base or the screws securing the cleats to the base. I know speedplay gives a max. torque value for one of the sets of screws, but since I don't have a torque wrench (there is another post around here saying torque wrenches are a waste of money) I just guessed when tightening.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by D*Alex
Probably Coombe or speedplays. the speedplay cleat is vulnerable to damage, and if it breaks on the road, you are SOL. but they do allow a lot of rotation.

I am always confused with this statement about Speedplay cleats breaking on the road. I would think that if you break "any" cleat or pedal on the road you are SOL and that this would not be unique to Speedplays. As a matter of fact I think you might be better off with Speedplays if you break a cleat pin because at least you can still have the pedal inset into the cleat slot where as if you lose or break a cleat on SPD or otherwise you will have nothing left on the bottom of your shoe to keep your foot from sliding around.

Bobsled

When you say don't overtighten the screws, are you talking about the screws securing the base or the screws securing the cleats to the base
The screws securing the cleats to the base. I did overtighten
mine after adjusting the cleat, and they really become difficult to
clip into. Another good tip I've learned every couple of weeks
put a drop of wax base chain lube on the metal spring under the
cleat, makes em easier to get into but doesn't affect clipping out.

Marty