FizzyPop

Ok, I basically hate my pedals, Shimano SPD M505 or something. They MTB pedals and have no idea what they are doing on a road bike. They are pain to get into and generally make me look like an idiot at a stoplight I do well enough on my own without any help from pedals! Upgrade time!

So my choices are these: Shimano 105 R540 or PD5600 that sell for $80 and $100 at my LBS, Ultegra PD-6610 which can be had for $100 on sale at Nashbar (these were around $150 at my LBS), or lastly a Look Keo pedal whose model name I forget but was in the $80-100 range and looked similar to the Shimano pedals they had.

I am leaning to giving my LBS my money as they will help me install them for free. I have no experience installing pedals and was wondering how easy it was as those Ultegras look nice and shiney Especially at that price. I am also wondering what performance differences there are between these pedals and whether the Ultegras are worth the hassle of figuring out the install on my own.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

I_bRAD

To install them you'll need an allen key (or perhaps a pedal wrench, but probably an allen key will do) and knowledge of your left and right hand sides. (rh pedal rh thread, lh pedal lh thread)

BUT. I like the Keos the best out of that list anyhow.

barba

probikekit.com has better prices and free shipping. Installing pedals is very easy, usually only requiring an allen wrench or a pedal wrench (both tools worth owning).

kchrist

i have a set of keo classics. i got them off of probikekit.com and they are only about 60 bucks on there right now with free shipping. they are very easy to install. all you need is an allen wrench and it take about 3 minutes to install. for the price they are great, and a lot lighter than the other pedals you are talking about, if that matters to you. but if you are going to get the looks get them from probikekit.com because they are a great deal on that site. hope this helps.

kyle

MICHAELM

I have the Shimano Ultegra 6610. I thought with the thicker cleat that they would out wear slower than the Looks I have used in the past which they don't. Other than the cleats wearing out fairly quick and the ensuing click from the worn out cleats they are fine.

tekhna

I just ordered a pair of keos to replace my crank brothers.

thatguy

I think you'll find the performance difference is minimal. To me, $100 pedals are as good as $300 pedals. If you're not sure what pedals to get, you do not need Dura-Ace pedals. The Shimano SPD-SL style (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace) and Look Keos are similar in that they have big platforms, three-hole cleats and choices for float. I think both have cleats available in 0 degree (black), 6 degree (gray) and 12 degree (red). I would go with whatever the LBS has. The installation is kind of a pain. I hate changing pedals and always lose some skin on my knuckles.

FizzyPop

Thanks for the tip on probikekit, their prices are way cheap. Weight consideration isnt a big deal for me when its a few grams here or there. I'm actually liking the Look Sprint Pedal, the grey ones of course I have allen keys but a pedal wrench sounds like a good investment.

hmai18

Pedal wrench isn't really neccessary as most pedals come with a hole for a hex bolt on the spindle nowadays.

FizzyPop

I see.... the angles from the pics at Probikekit doesnt show them.

kleng

Remember also to grease the threads when installing pedals.

hmai18

EDIT: nevermind

Unless you plan on swapping pedals in and out a lot, I wouldn't purchase a pedal wrench. If you take it to your friendly neighborhood shop, they shouldn't kick up too much fuss about putting the pedals on for you or lending you a wrench for you to do it yourself.

FizzyPop

Any particular kind of grease? Please forgive my ignorance I assume my LBS would have it.

operator

Oh please.

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools...lifu-14-15.jpg

Is $15. Does 3 jobs at the same time.

kleng

The lbs will have the right grease, for home I use the Finish premium teflon grease.

gearmeout

i bought a set of look keo sprint pedals for $79 + 15 shipping. they look great in red

bdcheung

I just got the Keo Sprint, as well, and LOVE them.

DanielS

If you have trouble getting into SPD mountain bike pedals then you may struggle with a road pedal. You only have one side to clip into (I'm assuming your mountain bike pedals are double-sided?) and generally they can be a lot tighter.

ericgu

I have SPD-SLs and love them. But initially they come set really tight - make sure to turn the tension way down.

clutchy

nashbar ventoux 2, $20.

I ditched my crank/eggers and even $20 pedals were better than those eggies... it was a mistake to put moutain pedals on a road bike; no support.

i kinda wish i had gotten the ultegras though...

v1k1ng1001

I would just ride your mtb pedals until you can get into something other than spd. Keep in mind that the spds are great for commuting. Also, I agree that they shouldn't be that tight. Spds should be relatively easy to get in and out of. You can turn down the spring tension in the pedals with a hex wrench applied to the front/back of the pedal.

I've never been a fan of the looks. I love my speedplays but they are not for everyone.

You should buy the pedals and put the $20 towards a pedal wrench. If nothing else you can avoid the embarassment of having to ask your LBS to swap your pedals for you.

Any bike specific grease will work. I've been using Shimano Dura Ace.

4SEVEN3

Whats embarasing about asking the LBS to install some pedals? Thats what they are there for.

FWIW, Id got for the LOOK pedals.

bobdanger

nothing really but it is a pretty simple process and im of the mindset that one should know their ride insideout as much as humanly possible- i know enough to let the pros work where im not comfortable but pedals? c'mon. a wrench costs 4 bux at pepboys and you have it forever. read and learn and save some $$ in the process.

FizzyPop

Its not that they are hard to get into once I find the spot ( cue puns here ), I just find the SPD cleat to be very small and I slip off of the pedal trying to find the right spot once I have my right foot in and am pedaling away trying to get my left in too. Looking at the SPD-SL and Look cleats, the area is bigger to slide into on the pedal which seems like that would be easier. Also, this larger platform of support can only be better for generating more stable power into the pedal. Right?

As for the two sidedness of the MTB pedal? Up until a month back I still had the black plastic like pedal thingey that clipped on for riding around the store to demo the bike! I had no clue and thought it was part of the pedal, hence making it one sided Besides, arent road pedals weighted to always flip up the right way?

Seems like alot of people like the Look pedals.

PhatG

+1 Speedplay

I started with the Ultegra, which were great - but the double sided entry of the Speedplay just ROCKS!!!