Pedal Upgrade
 

I am not new to clipless pedals, but for the past year I have been using some old faded Look's. I don't even know what model they are, my LBS just gave them to me in a plastic bag(I never even weighed them, I am afraid to). They work fine, but I am getting a new bike, and some new pedals would be nice. I don't know much about the finer points of the different pedal brands, but I know what features matter.

tl;dr(seriously, how lazy are you), recommend me some new pedals, that aren't some crazy high end pedals. I want some middle of the road pedals that will match the bang-for-my-buck that I get with a $4k carbon bike.

Ready... Go.

Keo Classics.

My keos creaked and needed constant attention to stfu.

Shimano 105, or Ultegra. I don't know why but I also clip in much faster to the shimano pedals.

speeeeeeeeeeedplays

Keo 2 Max instead of classics? Bigger contact area, better bearings...

Actually, I'm a 105 spd-sl user myself, as I'm a Clyde and like the whole metal pedal body thing. I'm pretty happy with them.

^ What he said. I switched from squeaky Looks a couple years ago and haven't looked back.
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.zero

I had been using Looks for 22 years and just switched to Speedplay Zeros 2 months ago. I cannot believe I waited this long. I absolutely love these pedals! First of all, mounting them is a breeze because your for-aft, your left-right, and your rotation are 3 separate settings. You simply mount the base plates where you want them fore-aft, then you mount the cleat bodies where you want them left-right, and then the float takes care of the rotation. No more fiddling with oversized rectangular holes and washers trying to get the Look delta cleat "as close as possible" to where it should be. The double sided entry is great and I love the rotational float.
If you try them, get the coffee shop covers and then walking in them will be no problem. By the way, in case someone posts about how Speedplays are such "high maintenance", before each ride I give them a shot of Blaster Dry Lube ($4 at Home Depot) and it takes all of about...10 seconds. So the "you have to take care of them, blah, blah, blah" is a ridiculous argument, but inevitably finds it's way into these forums.
Try them. I will never go back.

I've got 105's and love em. Mind you I haven't tried anything else :)

Well I'm use Look Keo Classic and Carbon for sometime now...another good one is speedplay Zero.

I've been comparing the weight of Shimano v. Looks, and why are Shimanos so much heavier for the same prices? Even the Look Easy's($80) weigh less than 7800 Dura Ace...

Between those two, 105s. What does the Ultegra's have over the 105s? Two grams lighter and a slightly different color? You need to get up to Dura Ace pedals before the internal bearings change for the better.

$48 today at Ribble...

I don't know the exact answer for you, but make sure you're comparing pedal + clip and not just pedal vs pedal.

I have Look Keo Sprints, and I have to say the only time they squeak is if the cleat is loose (for some reason the screws tend to work themselves loose, and have to be re-tightened periodically). That being said, their cleats are trash. even with the new grip version, the rubber rips off all the time, and ive snapped a few tips off the cleats in the past couple of months, doing nothing but riding normally.

I might just pick up those 105's, as I am tired of spending 30 dollars nearly every month on cleats because they make the cleats so cheaply. I even use covers for extended walking, just putting my foot down is enough to wear the rubber out. Stupid.

EDIT: Well nix that idea...I can get only 3 degrees of float with spd-sl cleats? The heck with that, I guess I am stuck with my Looks, as I can get 9 degrees with the red cleats, which my knees require.

105. Best bang for the buck.

I have a set of speedplay light action, but they are also the only clipless pedals I've used...

Truth is, your current pedals are probably ok. If you want a new set of pedals for the new bike (i.e. keeping the old pedals on the old bike to use as a beater), you may want to get pedals that use the same cleat, that way you won't have to have two different sets of shoes.

That's what I do - I have 4 bikes (new Ti, old steel, SS commuter and (gasp!) recumbent). Same pedal type for each, with only 1 pair of shoes.

I am using Keo Sprints, and have had none of the issues leading to Look-bashing. I got a great deal from PBK (I dont' see Sprints on there, not sure if they're still around, but Classics are very similar) and I have yet to do any maintenance at all. The only problem I've had is cleat screws working themselves loose once, but that was my fault (didn't tighten them well after adjusting and left home without a proper multi tool).

Pedals are pedals, and unless you have very special needs (10,000 degrees of float, the ability to run a marathon in your cycling shoes after every ride and never have to replace your cleats, or a total weight under 10g), you will probably find most of your options satisfactory.

Or maybe I just don't understand what can be so exciting/controversial about pedals. I clip in and forget. Shoes, on the other hand . . .