Gavernty

Currently I'm riding with Shimano pd-r540 pedals, and have used the since I got my bike. I haven't had any problems with them and they seem to work pretty well. Lately I have been researching Look pedals and was wondering if there are any noticeable benefits to a more expensive pedal besides weight? Is the platform for clipping more accessible? Sometimes I have a hard time getting my left foot in the right position and have to look down to reclip. I know weight of the pedal is always a factor, but I'm not really concerned with that too much. Just wondering if a higher grade pedal will give me more power or make any noticeable difference to my rides.

Carbon Unit

Your pedals will be lighter and so will your wallet. A bigger plateform makes a difference especially if your shoes are not stiff enough. However, I think Look pedals and the PD-R540 have about the same size plateform.

climber7

biggest difference is probably weight.

also, maybe bearings? i think higher-end pedal has nicer bearings (e.g. dura-ace vs. ultegra pedals), which would theoretically decrease some kind of resistance, but i bet the effect is negligible. it might help the pedal hang naturally at optimal clipping-in angle, though.

BotByte

I'm seriously using a $14 pair of pedals with toe straps. They are molded plastic with a metal cage and cheapy toe clips and straps. They are lighter then the older track pedals I had, yet are cheaply built.

When I got them, I took off the cage, took apart the center, re greased the bearings, put everything back together and thread locker on the bolts and took the maiden ride up a mountain.

Unless your going clipless, have a preference of color, or a certain type it really doesn't make a big difference.

catonec 

if your replacing your pedals anyways, why not opt for something doublesided to eliminate the fumbling around.

JustinHorne

That was my big upgrade.

I had the same pedals you do (The R540s,) and they worked perfectly fine. I liked the adjustable release tension. I didn't like the limited float, even dialed in correctly.

I hated accidentally missing the pedal at potentially a really bad time. Speedplays solved all my problems at the sacrifice of non adjustable release tension, which is a tradeoff that was worth it to me.

volosong

I just recently went the other way...from Look Keo Classic to Shimano SPD-SL. Not sure I'm happy with the change yet. So far, I found it easier to clip into the Keo pedals and I don't like the way that the SPD-SL cleats stick out from the sides of the shoes. The SPD-SL cleats are also more expensive, (I use 0 float), and "everybody" complains how fast they wear out. I'll give it the summer, and if I'm not fully comfortable with the SPD-SL system by then, I'll go back to Keo.

achoo

Who is the "everybody" you mention?

I have a set if SPD-SL cleats that are almost two years old, and they've pretty much been getting 150-200 miles/week usage the entire time, with some drop off in usage over the winter when I switch to an SPD pedal for the winter shoes.

The cleats do look like crap by now, but the great thing about the SPD-SL cleat design is the clip-in surfaces are completely protected - the only wear the cleat's clip-in surfaces get is from the clip.

NCMTBIKER

i got crank bros candy pedals on my bike..love um

Carbon Unit

I have used SPD-SL, Look and these Speedplay pedals. The Speedplay pedals are much easier to clip in and out if that is important to you. You will not need to look down to clip in.

Jed19

+a zillion. My SPD-SL cleats has refused to wear out in almost two years too. And a fellow cyclist pointed out to me sometime ago that you can switch the cleats to get more life out of them because you only use one side to "cleat out", and the other side then gets put to use.

canam73

I use spd-sl and have or have had several models including r-540 and DA. All have been easy enough to dial in and since I'm used to them I don't find clipping in takes much effort. I think there is a whopping 2 ounce total difference in weight between a pair of 540s and the DA so I don't sweat it. One difference you may notice if you do a lot of riding on one pair is that the 540s just have a glued on plastic contact plate whereas all of the higher models have screw on replaceable metal contact plate.

Univega

I had the same issue. I cleaned and put a bit of lubrication and it was a big help.

StanSeven

No, not "everybody"! If you were on this forum longer or read posts, you'll find that most people say SDD-SL cleats last much longer. One of the reasons I switched was Look cleats were quickly. Plus I had quality problems with the pedals on two pairs. I previously used nothing but Looks for years until that happened.

giantdefy

To answer the OPs question, the biggest difference is weight, material, better bearings and Bling. Less rotational weight equals more speed and less fatigue....at least thats the idea. If you asked me, its more placebo effect to many folks, since weight difference between a brands lineup is around 50-100 grams for the pair.

volosong

On SPD-SL wearing out quickly: when I was referring to "everybody", it was in reference to user reports on several on-line bicycle component review sites. The most common "disadvantage" mentioned by most posters is that the cleats wore out too quickly. Obviously, I was only reading peoples complaints and not a valid cross-section of users. Generally, people complain and if they are happy with a product, they are less likely to post their review than someone who is disappointed in a product. Guess I'll see for myself as that is the cleat system I'm currently using. I'm thinking the degree of wear is directly related to how much someone walks in their shoes. Those who only take a few steps before clipping in will have lot longer wear than someone who, for whatever reason, walks a lot more in the cleats.

GP

I replaced my old Looks with a new pair of Looks last month. When not in use, the old Looks rotated so the rear of the pedal would face down. The new Looks don't always do that. I keep meaning to take them back to the store.

GP

I've used both SPD-SL and Looks. SPD-SL cleats last longer.

AdelaaR

The difference in weight will be about 100 grams.
This means that to keep a speed of about 20 mph you will need less than half a Watt of power less, depending on other factors.
In other words: the difference is negligible except for racing conditions.
I haven't seen any numbers on the aero difference between Look pedals and R540's but I doubt there is enough difference to even discuss.

thcri

Your knees is a benefit. I had the R540's on my mountain bike and PD-5700's on my road bike. Every time I would ride longer distances my knees started burning. I had a fitting done and it did not help. Someone here can't remember who but thank you told me about Speed Play's. I went to a shop and told him my experience with the Shimano's and he also told me about Speed Plays. Did some more searching here and went back and bought a set of Speed Play Zero's. I love them. Harder to clip in for me over the Shimano's due to the roads I ride on but way easier to clip out of and the float is nice.

PS: this may not be the case for everybody.

Gavernty

thanks guys, I'm just gonna hang on to the pedals I have for now.... I have zero complaints with them