HigherGround

Alright, I'm having a hard time deciding between two new-to-me pedal systems. In the past I have used Look (in the 80's), Time metal pedals (90's through ~ 2006), Xpedo "Look style" pedals, Speedplay, and currently the Time RXS Carbon pedals. I am switching from the Time pedals because the front tip of the pedal has broken off after less than 2 years of use. I didn't care for the Xpedo pedals because it felt like the cleat rotation was too stiff and restrictive. Some of the reasons I switched from Speedplay were that I had problems with developing hot spots under the foot, and I liked the more supportive platform of the Time pedals.

I'm a borderline Clydesdale (gah target weight 170), who likes to do a lot of climbing when injuries aren't holding me back. I do tend to develop over-use injuries, so I do like a lot of pedal float with minimal resistance. I am also going to have a professional fitting done. I have narrowed my choices down to the following two pedals:

The Shimano 105 (PD-5610)



Things I like about the Shimano pedals include:

• Broader cleat, which probably helps with stability and dispersing pressure
• The metal pedal body is probably more durable than the composite
• Less expensive than the Looks
• Cleats with 6 degrees of float are included

The Look Keo 2 Max



Things I like about the Look pedals include:

• Cleats that allow 9 degrees of float (but they're sold separately)
• The longer threaded part of the spindle allows the use of spacers to widen the Q-factor (although Campy discourages that with their cranks).
• They're lighter, but quite frankly, that's really not relevant at my weight. Durability is a greater concern.

The lists above have me leaning toward the Shimano pedals The fact that the Look cleats seem to be criticized for being squeaky and not too durable also makes me favor Shimano. However, the wider range of float for the Look pedals keep tempting me. Has anyone used both styles? If so, is there a difference in the ease of float / freedom of movement, or does that depend on how tightly the release tension is set?

I'm probably going to go with the Shimano pedals and keep the Looks in mind if they're unsatisfactory, but I thought I'd see if there were any compelling arguments otherwise. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks in advance!

bowman57

iI think the shimano pedals wider platform just fell better on all day ride

jsmonet

i'm back to my 105's from my speedplay x5's. too much float wasn't necessarily a good thing for me.

roadraccer

Go with the Shimano's, they are very comfortable and reliable pedals. I had the Shimano's SPD-SL for a while and heard all the buzz about how great the Speedplay Zero's were from the Cult out there and I bought a set and got rid of them within a month and purchase a new set of Shimano.

GP 

I've used two sets of Shimanos, the 105s and Ultegras. Wore out the bearings in the right pedal of each after, I think, 6K on the 105s and 15K on the Ultegras.

Switched to Keos, I'm not sure which model but they were about $110-120 on ebay earlier this year. They have about 6K on them now.

It took me a couple of weeks to get 100% comfortable with the Keos. The Shimanos clip in straight - toe in and push down but the Keos seem to need a slight push on the right side of my foot. After I got used to them, they were as easy as the Shimanos to clip in to.

I don't notice any difference in the platform width. They're both fine but if I had to buy new pedals tomorrow, I'dgo with the Keos again. Not really sure why; they're both good.

HigherGround

Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far!

Any more thoughts?

botto 

looks squeak. shimanos don't.

Tsuru

All I've known is Look (came on my first "real" road bike). Love 'em. No "squeaking", no issues getting in or out, nothin' but good pedalin'... Buddy rocks the Shimano's, same thing, all good.

StanSeven

Yep. I tried everything to get Looks to stop that noise. The wider platform of Shimano's is more comfortable.

ual747captain

The Shimanos is a great pedal. I'm running the PD-6620 are their smooth as ever.

fskywalker

I cannot comment on the Look's but used to have the Ultegra SL Ice Gey PD-6620 and switched to Time brand since had a lot of trouble clippping out.

nayr497

I haven't used both of those pedals, but I have used Keo Sprints and the Max 2's. I like both of these, but the Max 2's are nicer, I'm my opinion. I like the wider platform on them, I like the security of the clip-in with the new metal plate, and I like that they (mine) don't rotate as I'm one-foot pedaling and going to clip in - they stay flat, making it a bit easier (my Sprints tend to rotate).

^ What have you folks tried to cure the squeaks some get with Keo's? I find when my cleats are brand new, they squeak a bit, but goes away. I've also used wax rubbed on the cleat/pedal and this has helped.

*My only experience with Shimano pedals is with 2-sided mtn pedals. I like LOOK pedals, but never tried Speedplays, Time, etc.

spinwax

I have the Shimano Dura Ace on my Road and the new grey Ultregras on my TT bike. Both have always worked flawlessly. It is VERY rare you every hear a bad thing about Shimano pedals. Honestly, the comment on bearings wearing out in this thread is the first negative I have ever heard!

Basil Moss

I use the Shimano 105's and love them, wouldn't change them for anything. Holds your cleat really firmly, easy to clip in and out, nice stable platform when you get out of the saddle. Also you can get red cleats for 0 float. If you have them adjusted just right, this can solve knee problems for some people.

clausen

The older Delta where bad, but a little wax lube shut them up until the next wet ride. I have never heard a peep out of the KEOs that I've had. Red and grey cleats and multiple pedals

speedemon

I'm have the Dura-Ace PD-7810 going on my new project bike as I'm using the Ultegra PD-6620 on my current bike. I would say the SPD-SL format is a great product!

botto 

you must be special.

acaurora

Also rocking the PD-5610s on my Tarmac. Never had a problem with them, they work beautifully. The *only* (and minor) downside for me is that I have yet to find a LBS that carries cleat covers to make it easier to walk with the cleats on. And when I found some cleat covers for SPD-SLs online, they cost as much as the cleats themselves, hah. However I've gotten used to it and I am not walking far (within a bike shop / cafe), so it's no real biggie for me.

clausen

Not as special as you.

silversx80

10,000 miles on my previous Looks and there was A LOT of play in the bearings. I'm on Shimano 6620s now.

ericm979

I used to use the older Looks until Shimano came out with their Look licensed 7410s. Then I used those until the SPD-SLs came out.

The Shimano cleat design is superior because it has a lower stack height, and there are rubber bumpers on the corners. That makes them safer to walk on. Since the walking wear surfaces don't have anything to do with cleat retention its ok for them to wear down. While with the Look cleats, the rear of the cleat wears when you walk on them, and thats what holds the cleat onto the pedal. I don't walk around in my cycling shoes much but when you are riding centuries there's always some bit of walking involved.

The SPD-SLs are slightly more difficult to get in to. The "window" in the pedal for sticking the front of the cleat in is smaller. That's the one disadvantage vs the Look pedals.

The SPD-SLs don't have the dreaded Look squeak.

PlatyPius

I have both - Keo Carbons on one bike and Ultegra SL pedals on three others. I much prefer the Shimanos, which I hate to say, since I'm not a fan of Shimano. I definitely notice the wider platform of the pedal and cleat. The cleats are easier to walk with, too. The Keos, even when cranked all the way up, felt too loose to me.

botto 

duh.

HigherGround

Thanks for all the feedback! Although I expect that both pedals would be good, I'm going to give the Shimano pedals a shot. Thanks again to all who contributed!

merlin55

The shimano pedal has a stainless steel wear surface for the cleat. The look pedal is aluminum, which the plastic cleat will wear down much faster. Shimano will last longer...I've got a pair of the Ultegra pedals and Dura Ace version, both work great...I hope the DA last longer...they sure cost more