Clip-less Pedal Question
 

As you may already know, I'm new to road cycling and already have picked the bike to purchase. Now I need to choose a clipless pedal and there are so many out there that I am becoming overwhelmed again.

For a beginner that plans to modify his bike to be lighter later on, which pedals would you suggest I buy now for under $150.00? Thanks again.

Note: I've been looking at Look, Time, Shimano

Speedplay.

Look and Shimano are very similar, excepting Look's 'Blade' pedals. They both work well and are around the same weight. Walkability is good, for a road cleat.

I haven't spent a lot of time in a Time road pedal, but I liked the engagement and release. The float is adequate, but tends to 'self-centre' a bit. I don't like that so much but some do.

You can buy the Shimano 105s for around $50 at some places online - it's a good pedal for the money.

+1

Look

Speedplay Zeros are awesome. I love mine. You'll get all types of answers here. Regardless of the pedals you choose, you'll get accustomed to them.

I saw videos on the Speedplays and like the simplicity of it, but where can I find them for under $200?

Competitive Cyclist was blowing out their Time IClic pedals. The carbon model was ~$125. Great light weight pedal.

Cyclists will vary in their opinion.

I like the affordability of the Eggbeaters. I run Candys on my MTB and Road bikes so I can use one shoe, plus I do not have "think" too hard when unclipping. Also, the Candys have a bit of a platform, easy 4-way entry and are servicable.

They aren't really any simpler, they've just moved most of the pedal onto the shoe. Take a look at the cleats.

But they are certainly well-liked by many who've tried them.

For your budget, consider the Look Keo 2 Max (around $110 on ebay). They are very light and offer the wide platform interface between pedal and cleat affording more confident balance while pedaling standing-up or sprinting.
The Shimano SPD-SL is also wide, but generally is either heavier for the lower end models or more expensive than the comparably weighted Look model(s). You can't go wrong with either Look Keo 2 Max or Shimano's SPD-SL systems.
Oh, and make sure to get yourself some stiff-soled shoes. Don't skimp there, or you'll be back here asking about numb feet and hot spots, then we'll tell you to go buy higher quality shoes. Look for shoes with carbon soles at a minimum.
In summary, spend a little more now and save yourself the foot agony and upgrade expenditure.

HTH

What do you think of the Shimano 105s?

They are good pedals, but heavy for an aspiring weight-weenie as you proclaimed above.

These the ones?
http://www.amazon.com/Look-Keo-2-Max...9240982&sr=1-3

Yes, these were the ones I was referring. They also come in white if you want to go Euro on your bike. ;-)
And if you think you'd like an even lighter variant, then consider the Look Keo 2 Max Carbon (around $145 on ebay)

I think I should also mention that whichever cleat system you end up buying, get yourself the rubber cleat covers (from ebay) so you can walk more confidently in them and save them from unnecessary wear and tear.

Umm, absolutely everywhere?

The titanium spindles are more, but the stainless and chromoly are both available less than $200. The chromoly are like $125 or less everywhere you look.

I love my Speedplay Zeros, chromoly version.

I'll second (or third or fourth) the Speedplays.

I'm a big fan of the Ultegra SPD-SLs. Durable and comfortable with very smooth spindles and easy clip-in. Basically indistinguishable from the Dura Ace pedals. They can be had for about $110.

I love Eggbeaters, use them on my road bike feels great and extremely easy clip in. I got my candy's for $60 and my shoes for $50. Definitely cheap and work fantastically. I say eggbeaters, easy to clip in clip out, serviceable light, and affordable.

I got my Shimano SPD M520 pedals and some shimano mtb shoes (I want to say M086L) for ~$90 and I think they're super comfortable, easy to walk in (on my commutes I sometimes walk a mile pushing the bike with one hand and the daughter's stroller in the other hand to her day care before starting the ride), and easy to get into and out of for a beginner. Definitely not the lightest of pedal though.

Keo

Out of these shoes to go with Speedplay Zero Chromoly which one would pair well with the pedals?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+shoes&x=0&y=0

Well if you plan to keep the speedplays, there are speedplay specific shoes with 4 holes instead of 3. But any shoe will do, there are adapters coming with the cleats.