Since I've started cycling, I've been using the most basic clipless pedals. i think the ones I have now are r540s or something. They use lose ball bearings. I feel like every year, I'm having to service the pedals, because the ball bearings inside get lose. the good ones coming out appear to use cartridge bearings, which should be a little better.

I'm wondering what people's experiences are between the basic, ball bearing pedals, vs the cartridge bearing pedals. How much longer do the cartridge bearing pedals last, and when they go bad, is the bearing replacement a straight forward process?