Jaredkemp

i weigh 104kg (230lb) not sure if i should get the 16nm or 20 nm model
should i worry about clipping out on the upstroke 16nm model?

carleton

I'd humbly suggest neither one of them.

Pedal release tension is relative to a person's size and strength. You are a big guy, so what is stiff to others will be weak to you.

I'm about your size and even the LOOK KEO 2 Max on the stiffest setting isn't enough to keep me in them.

I suggest going to Shimano SPD-SL (R540, 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace, doesn't matter much). I'd suggest alloy over "carbon" bodies, too.

Jaredkemp

Reason I'm getting the look pedals is cause I get them at my local bike shop for 90$,can't really afford those other pedals
So you unclip on the keo 2 max? Those only go up to 15nm the blade 2 have a 16 and 20nm option

carleton

Can you use your discount for LOOK Keo Max 2? Those will likely be stiffer than the blades. Blades are light, aero road TT pedals. I've actually only seen them on track bikes like maybe once or twice on pursuit bikes. I just wouldn't recommend them for track. Just my personal opinion. Maybe others on the board can offer opinions.

The Shimano R540 are like $30! You can buy 3 pair for what you are getting those LOOK Blades for. They are great pedals. They are "hand-me-down" tech from the Shimano "Lance" pedals from a few years ago. I'd go that route even over the Keo Max 2 being a big guy.

The spring tension can be turned up very high on Shimano pedals

carleton

So, are you more concerned about unclipping or having some high-end pedals?

Jaredkemp

i could get the look keo 2 max for 60$, so I would I just be Better off with those shimank R540? I wouldn't unclip by accident?

Baby Puke

The Shimano R540 have extremely wimpy spring tension. I literally gave my pair to my mom. Do they still make an alloy-bodied higher-end SPD-SL? I have older Ultegra alloy SPD-SL's on my road bike (have to keep the tension at about 75%), but the last I checked 105 and up are "carbon".

carleton

Ha. I stand corrected. Maybe they changed them.

Buy the LOOK Keo 2 and try them. If the spring tension isnt' enough for you, then return them and apply the credit to some Shimano pedals.

Jaredkemp

gotcha I'll try the look keo 2 maxs

700wheel

Looks like you are correct about the carbon pedals. However I just installed a bunch of new alloy body SPL pedals on a rental fleet and they appear to be still available at local bike shops. I'm going to buy a couple of alloy sets while still available.

One advantage of SPL cleats is their rubber pads which allow you to mount your bike on the track without slipping. I see riders with other cleats slipping on the wood track.

Baby Puke

While I'm still using DA 7400's, I like the Shimano SPD-SL's a lot more that the Look pedals. Looks felt a lot sloppier and less secure. And though the metal Shimano's may be gone, several sprinters at our track are using the new plastic Shimano's with no problems.

carleton

Yeah, I'd grab a few sets. I have 2 sets of alloy Ultegra pedals these days. A shop found my latest set in the bottom of some drawer in a forgotten corner of the shop. He was like, "You want these?" with a confused look.

Yeah, that was my experience with the LOOKs, too. I tried them for like 2 track sessions and sold them. Baranoski uses them. But his dad (an engineer) fabricated a strap loop thingy that pulls the clamp closed so it won't release until the strap is loosened.

I like the feel of SPD-SL better.

OP seems to be set on getting some LOOK pedals, so I didn't want to be adamant about it. He should see for himself I guess. That's what I did.

Dalai

As others have mentioned, I wouldn't get either. I have Look Aero Blades with 20 nm blades on my road TT bike - happy to use them there but wouldn't consider the Blades for track use...

Definite benefit having the rubber pads. I'm sure many like me have done the ice skating dance to walk to the uphill side of the bike when mounted to the starting gate!

Jaredkemp

Not sure if I should get the look keo 2 max's or some shimano 105 5800 pedals both around the same price

carleton

If you are a small-medium sized human, either will be fine.

If you are a large or really strong human, then I'd suggest the Shimano for the increased release tension options.

rensho3

While I am a moderately small human (150 lbs), I can generate a fair amount of force, and have pulled out of Look's on the track in the past, costing me a spot in the semi's at 1998 Master's Natz. I switched to Shimano SPD-SL, added a strap a'la Up!Up!UP!, and have not pulled since. I know guys who are Carleton's size using the plastic versions of the Shimano pedals without problems.

Jaredkemp

thanks everyone decided on the shimano pedals

carleton

Awesome. Let us know what you think after you try them out.

Also, they come tight out of the box. So, I'd loosen them first then adjust. I've seen people install them then fall over at 0 mph on the first ride because they couldn't get out of the pedal.

Jaredkemp

will do! thanks for the info
think i should change the cleat to a cleat with no float? or should i give the cleat with float a try

carleton

I personally like no float and recommend that to everyone. Every sprinter I know uses no float. It goes hand-in-hand with that secure feeling that you want out of a track pedal. Enduros generally use whatever they use for road. Even some roadies use no float. I know Cavendish (for one) uses no float. He comes from a track background, as I'm sure you know.

Note the red rubber bits.



What do the rest of you guys suggest?

carleton

Oh, and I ride no float on the road too. I've never had any knee issues or fatigue on longer rides.

But a "long" ride for me is 2 hrs

Jaredkemp

yeah I think Ima buy some no float cleats I'm already used to no float coming from mtb pedals so I should be more comfortable with those.

rndstr

(Disclaimer: I've never ridden anything else than Look pedals.)

I went from the `Look KEO Classic 2` (8 - 12Nm adjustable, had it on highest tension) to the `Look KEO Blade 2 20Nm` since I got a good price. Weirdly, I had the feeling that releasing the pedal was easier on the Blade. Doesn't make too much sense to me but I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation I felt that way. So for other people arriving here and pondering I would also recommend going for the 20Nm rather than 16Nm.

FWIW the Swiss track team rides with the `Look KEO Blade 2 Ti`

dunderhi

I currently ride Shimano Dura Ace carbon pedals on my road and track bikes. On the road, I have used the yellow 6 degree float cleats for years, but for the track last year I moved to the blue 2 degree float cleats. I really like the shift in the float position to the front, so I'm now using them on the road too. The blue cleats feel very secure to me.

carleton

Ha! This is news to me. I've never seen the blue before. Nice.



dunderhi, if you are going to sprint, I'd give the red a shot. You'll feel solid like old-school slotted cleats.