SPD vs Look
08-11-09, 10:06 PM
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SPD vs Look
I'm using Shimano SPD shoes/pedals for my road bike right now. I was wondering if I'll notice any difference if I switch to Look style shoes/pedals -- in particular for climbing hills. My current shoes weight over 600g and I see that some "carbon" road shoes weight under 300g -- will that make much difference in performance? Also I find that SPD pedals are very easy to unclip (not so much for clipping in). From the looks of Look style petals it seems it's much easier to clip in -- is this true? How hard is it to unclip from Look pedals compared to SPD?
08-11-09, 11:03 PM
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Doubt the weight will make much difference but you will notice improvement in retention.
The Looks, even set loose, need a lot more force to clip out, this is a good thing if you're sprinting or out of the saddle climbing.
Also the larger platform is beneficial
The Looks, even set loose, need a lot more force to clip out, this is a good thing if you're sprinting or out of the saddle climbing.
Also the larger platform is beneficial
08-11-09, 11:07 PM
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While I generally hate Shimano, I prefer their pedals to LOOKs; the SPD-SL pedals (105, Ultegra, Dura Ace), that is. They have a wider platform than the Keos, which is what I need. Entry is much easier, I've found, and release is consistent.
If you're set on the LOOKs though, I have some Keo Carbons I gotta get rid of.
If you're set on the LOOKs though, I have some Keo Carbons I gotta get rid of.
08-11-09, 11:08 PM
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If by SPD you mean the off-road style ones, then chances are your road specific Looks will have a stiffer sole on the shoe.
Clipping in for me is relatively the same for both, but a number of SPDs are dual sided so that makes it "easier". However, a proficient rider would not notice the difference as the weight distribution of the pedal and design pretty much eliminates the need for dual sided - the pedals pretty much are always angled to take your cleat.
Clipping in for me is relatively the same for both, but a number of SPDs are dual sided so that makes it "easier". However, a proficient rider would not notice the difference as the weight distribution of the pedal and design pretty much eliminates the need for dual sided - the pedals pretty much are always angled to take your cleat.
08-12-09, 05:06 AM
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In my opinion, the new Shimano SPD-SL totally crap all over Look Keos, because:
1) They have a much wider platform.
2) The pedal body cover (plate) is steel, which obviously wears much better.
3) The cleats have more rubber on the ends, so your foot won't slip when you plant it on the road at red lights.
4) The spindle has a non-hollowed 6mm hex, which is much stronger than the hollowed 8mm hex on the Looks.
1) They have a much wider platform.
2) The pedal body cover (plate) is steel, which obviously wears much better.
3) The cleats have more rubber on the ends, so your foot won't slip when you plant it on the road at red lights.
4) The spindle has a non-hollowed 6mm hex, which is much stronger than the hollowed 8mm hex on the Looks.
08-12-09, 03:12 PM
#7
Spin Meister
>My current shoes weight over 600g and I see that some "carbon" road shoes weight under 300g -- will that make much difference in performance?<
That's what, about an 11 ounce difference? Given the total weight of your bike, and you sitting on it, there will be a zero discernible difference in performance. Depending on which pedals you currently have, and which you would buy, you might end up losing some or most of the weight savings with road shoes over your current mt. bike shoes.
That's what, about an 11 ounce difference? Given the total weight of your bike, and you sitting on it, there will be a zero discernible difference in performance. Depending on which pedals you currently have, and which you would buy, you might end up losing some or most of the weight savings with road shoes over your current mt. bike shoes.
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08-12-09, 05:48 PM
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I have LOOKs and I hate walking around funny when I need to stop. I'm not sure about clipping in on others but on mine I can only clip in on one side, from the looks of a lot of SPD's you can get ones that clip on both sides. I am constantly looking down to make sure I can even clip in properly--but then again I'm still new to all this. My first wipe out was pretty brutal (in terms of embarassment, that is) due to a clipping in issue.
I honestly will be switching to SPD pedals here pretty soon, my LOOKs are already getting so scuffed up I fear I would spend more on replacement cleats than just getting some SPD's that I can walk around in.
My two cents about the comfort/clipping. No idea about weight--but it seems to me clipping in/out is the first and foremost issue you should look at.
I honestly will be switching to SPD pedals here pretty soon, my LOOKs are already getting so scuffed up I fear I would spend more on replacement cleats than just getting some SPD's that I can walk around in.
My two cents about the comfort/clipping. No idea about weight--but it seems to me clipping in/out is the first and foremost issue you should look at.
08-13-09, 12:57 PM
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A related question: I recently bought road shoes, and put some SPD cleats on them. I had been riding with mountain bike shoes -- both my mountain bikes and my road bike are set up with SPD pedals. I've noticed that clipping in with my road shoes seems a good deal more difficult than it had been with the MTB shoes. Are the Look/SPD-SL/etc. pedals easier to clip into?
08-13-09, 03:45 PM
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A related question: I recently bought road shoes, and put some SPD cleats on them. I had been riding with mountain bike shoes -- both my mountain bikes and my road bike are set up with SPD pedals. I've noticed that clipping in with my road shoes seems a good deal more difficult than it had been with the MTB shoes. Are the Look/SPD-SL/etc. pedals easier to clip into?
Clipping into SPD pedals with road shoes is like trying to find the light switch in the dark. In a house that isn't yours.
08-13-09, 03:48 PM
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>My current shoes weight over 600g and I see that some "carbon" road shoes weight under 300g -- will that make much difference in performance?<
That's what, about an 11 ounce difference? Given the total weight of your bike, and you sitting on it, there will be a zero discernible difference in performance. Depending on which pedals you currently have, and which you would buy, you might end up losing some or most of the weight savings with road shoes over your current mt. bike shoes.
That's what, about an 11 ounce difference? Given the total weight of your bike, and you sitting on it, there will be a zero discernible difference in performance. Depending on which pedals you currently have, and which you would buy, you might end up losing some or most of the weight savings with road shoes over your current mt. bike shoes.
