I use the Look keo carbon cro mo spindle that I got from probike kit.com in december last year for $113. they are a molded injected carbon not much OCP value there. I am approaching 4,000 miles now on them and they are still as smooth, bearing wise, and tight as the day I installed them. The cleats chew up pretty easily but replacement cleats are cheap. I would highly recomend these pedals for function not for appearance. but I have not tried shimano road pedals so I can't compare.