I'm in a bit of a budget conundrum... Here's the deal:

I just got a good deal on a used high-end full carbon bike that came with old Look ARC pedals, just for the sake of having some pedals. I figure instead of buying cleats for an outdated model, I might as well buy new pedals. I already have a mid-range aluminum bike with SPD pedals for daily commuting and training, but I don't like SPD pedals.

I want to have the same pedal system for both bikes. The carbon bike would be only used once a week on weekends. Should I:
1) buy 1 set of high-end pedals for both bikes and just swap them on the carbon right before I ride every weekend
2) buy 2 entry level pedals for both bikes
3) buy 1 set of high-end pedals for the carbon and swap cleats right before I ride the carbon bike
4) ??? you tell me

High-end pedals would really "complete" the bike, since everything else is high-end, but at the same time, I'm afraid of damaging the crankshafts over time from weekly installations of pedals if I go with (1).

To be honest, I'm torn since I'm not a weight weenie by any means, but at the same time I bought a really nice bike so I might as well go all the way... What would you guys do? And what kind of pedals would you recommend?

You'll grow tired of swapping the peds. Get the best of what you can afford 2 sets of, even if they are used.

Why not buy one mid range pedal set, and one low end pedal set. It'll be a lot more expensive when you end up tripping the pedals, or one or both of the cranks.

i love speedplays just get two sets of those, one new and try to pic up a set of older used for your other bike......

tried it. hated it.

just end up buying the same pedals for the bikes.

Whatever you do, don't swap cleats you'll drive yourself bat-***** crazy. I'd just suck it up and buy two sets of pedals, or just one set and a pair of shoes to go with it.

Or you could get nice pedals for the nice bike and less nice pedals that use the same cleat for the other bike - I have old Look Keo Sprints on my old bike and new Look Keo Max 2 carbons on my new bike, they use the same cleat.

Swapping pedals is a horrible idea and swapping cleats is even worse. I would second Yaniel's suggestion that you get a decent pair for the better bike and lower-end version for the beater. No one is going to make fun of you if you "only" have 105 pedals (or the like) on your new ride.

I'd go with this. Pedals are cheap relative to the rest of the bike.

And where did speedplay come into the question?

Having two sets is easier than one, but FWIW, I can swap the pedals on my bike in about 30 seconds. Unless you are doing it multiple times a day, I don't think it's really a very big deal. Do it for awhile and if it really sucks, buy a second set. Either way, get the pedals you want. Don't scrimp on them just for the sake of buying two sets.

Swap them as needed (with the bike right-side-up, point a pedal forward, insert the wrench pointing to the rear tire, step/push down). Or, consider a mid-range (for the good bike) and low-end (for the other bike) pedals. Later, move the mid-range to the other bike, and put the high-end pedals on the good bike.

Hmm.. that's what I figured.

I thought about mid-range pedals, but I'm more of an all-in-or-not type of guy when it comes to purchases... Besides weight, is there a big difference between lower/mid-range/higher-end models?

I use SPD-SL pedals and have tried everything from R540s to Dura Ace except 105s and noticed no functional differences. Fwiw I use the yellow cleats and do not have the tension super high. Some of the older and lower end models do not have a replaceable skid plate. Other than that the only major differences seem to be price and weight.

nashbar has a great deal on time iclic/

I just bought a set of Shimano SPD-SL 105 for around $50 new. I think each level up in the pedal costs $50 more and saves 50g or so. Its nice to have the best, but sometimes you need to know when to cut corners. Promise yourself you will get the DA or whatever pedals when you get a new high paying job.

before 8,000 other people say it (in addition to the first guy earlier):

SPEEDPLAY. nao.

....cause they suck...and the design is prone to quick wear creating a sloppy interface and Time is moving on....


OP - just get 2 of the pedals that will work for you. If you already have SL's then just get an inexpensive pair of SL's for the other bike.

Buy the high end ones you really want and pick up a used beater set of Look Keo classics off ebay or local CL for $15 or 20 bucks. Ride those till you have enough saved up to put a nicer set on the daily bike.

I honestly cannot tell the difference between 105 and Ultegra pedals. I cannot comment on DA because I've never ridden them.

I'd say go Shimano unless you have something against them. 105 all around, or if you're on a super tight budget R540 for the cheap bike, and 105, Ultegra or Ultegra Carbon for the nice bike . You end up with an extra set of cleats for later, and two sets of decent pedals

Do you race?
Are you competitive?
Do you race in the mountains?
Do you weigh about 2 pounds per inch (ex: 140 pounds for 5'10") which implies morphology suited for winning climbing events?

If so get the expensive pedals. Loosing the last 100 grams of bike weight beyond the UCI minimum will give a 140 pound rider a 0.14% speed gain up the steepest hills hill for about five seconds more separation per hour between him and the chasing peleton when he's racing off the front to an up-hill finish.

Otherwise get two sets of pedals and consider two pairs of used high-end pedals with one new set of cleats (pedals last far longer than cleats, even with metal SPD like cleats).

two pedal sets.

Probably some time around the first post when the OP asked this...


and I also recommend speedplay, but I had entry level Look Keos for years before, and never thought I needed something better, even though I'd upgrade everything else on the bike. I only swapped them out for fit issues.

What is the benefit of Speedplay pedals vs SPD, etc?

I decided to get a pair of Shimano pedals since Speedplay apparently can't handle mud... I didn't want to start a new thread so here we go: would you buy a used set of dura-ace 7810's or a new set of 105's? I'm looking for more reliability than anything for my commuter and the price difference isn't too bad.