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Look KEO versus Delta

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Old 05-01-14 | 11:06 AM
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Look KEO versus Delta

Went from Delta to KEO 2 Max Carbon, due to bearing failure.

Is it just me, or what was Look thinking? Not as comfortable as the old style and easier to accidentally unclip during a sprint.

Riding Look for as long as I can remember, but it may be time for a change?
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Old 05-01-14 | 12:20 PM
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Not saying it's just you, but perhaps your situation is different. Keo's are fine for me. In what way to you find the difference between Deltas and Keos affect comfort? Clipping in and out and retention is pretty much the same for me once tension is adjusted.
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Old 05-01-14 | 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Looigi
Not saying it's just you, but perhaps your situation is different. Keo's are fine for me. In what way to you find the difference between Deltas and Keos affect comfort? Clipping in and out and retention is pretty much the same for me once tension is adjusted.
Clip in is the same.

I have always ridden zero clearance (black) cleats and with the KEO, a slight twist of the ankle, either sideways or horizontal and I am out. With the Delta, they were more forgiving, had to turn my ankle a little more. With the KEO at max tension, I have now clipped out twice in a race. They also seem to support the shoe less than the Delta.

From a manufacturing point of view, they sure look cheaper.
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Old 05-01-14 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ColnagoC40
Went from Delta to KEO 2 Max Carbon, due to bearing failure.

Is it just me, or what was Look thinking? Not as comfortable as the old style and easier to accidentally unclip during a sprint.

Riding Look for as long as I can remember, but it may be time for a change?
I found the same thing but with a significant time lapse between the Deltas and the Keos. The only Keos that I don't clip out of are the original Keo Max Carbons. Max2, Classics, Sprints, etc, I've unclipped several times between them.

I bought a bunch of Keos thinking they'd work fine so I am sort of committed to them. Considering a similar cleat type pedal (Exustar made, but I haven't tried any).

The Blade doesn't seem any different. The Blade2, with 24nm of release tension required, is my next test.
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Old 05-01-14 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by carpediemracing

I bought a bunch of Keos thinking they'd work fine so I am sort of committed to them. Considering a similar cleat type pedal (Exustar made, but I haven't tried any).
Same here, bought 5 pairs to fit 5 bikes. Tempted to try Campy on the bike I race most, but I also unfortunately committed.
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Old 05-01-14 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ColnagoC40
Went from Delta to KEO 2 Max Carbon, due to bearing failure.

Is it just me, or what was Look thinking? Not as comfortable as the old style and easier to accidentally unclip during a sprint.

Riding Look for as long as I can remember, but it may be time for a change?
I could not disagree with you more.

And this happened a few years ago.
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Old 05-01-14 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
I could not disagree with you more.

And this happened a few years ago.
I guess KEO arrived a few years ago, I did not even take notice, as one of my Delta's had a bearing failure recently needing new pedals.

You give my hope, perhaps it is the change I have to adapt to.

How long did you ride the old style Delta pedal?
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Old 05-01-14 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ColnagoC40
I guess KEO arrived a few years ago, I did not even take notice, as one of my Delta's had a bearing failure recently needing new pedals.

You give my hope, perhaps it is the change I have to adapt to.

How long did you ride the old style Delta pedal?
The Delta style has been around since the caveman...kidding...but I started riding that style of pedal mid-80's when I was in Europe racing.

When Keo came out, I did not immediately switch because Look made an ergo (could adjust angles and Q factor) pedal for Delta. When I snapped one, I switched. With several bikes and shoes it's a big deal to change.

I have Keo carbon on one bike and Blade on another. I have ridden other pedal systems on other bikes than mine, but I've been a Look customer since they basically invented the clipless pedal.

They USED to make Shimano's road pedals. If you look at a Shimano same basic shape different size,.

Keo, I think has been around maybe 10 years? they are lighter and, IMO more comfortable. YMMV.
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Old 05-01-14 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
The Delta style has been around since the caveman...kidding...but I started riding that style of pedal mid-80's when I was in Europe racing.

When Keo came out, I did not immediately switch because Look made an ergo (could adjust angles and Q factor) pedal for Delta. When I snapped one, I switched. With several bikes and shoes it's a big deal to change.

I have Keo carbon on one bike and Blade on another. I have ridden other pedal systems on other bikes than mine, but I've been a Look customer since they basically invented the clipless pedal.

They USED to make Shimano's road pedals. If you look at a Shimano same basic shape different size,.

Keo, I think has been around maybe 10 years? they are lighter and, IMO more comfortable. YMMV.
I still had the first 1984 Look pedals on one of my bikes. You are right, the KEO came on the scene in 2004. Oh well, I probably have to try harder and learn to love the 5 pairs I purchased.
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Old 05-01-14 | 04:43 PM
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Try the gray cleats. They require a bit more twist to unclip due to the 5 degrees of float.
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Old 05-01-14 | 04:56 PM
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have you guys tried the red cleats. I personally wear grays now since i just ride recreational and on group rides, but I just upgraded as well to the blade 2 carbons and they are definitely an upgrade over my older keos.
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Old 05-01-14 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
Try the gray cleats. They require a bit more twist to unclip due to the 5 degrees of float.
+1

I've tried red, black and grey I find grey the best. I am also using KEO 2 Max Carbon after I wore down my original Keo Carbons. I just turn the tension all the way up and have never pulled out sprinting.
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Old 05-01-14 | 06:54 PM
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I used Deltas until one broke and caused a serious wreck. Look gave me a new pair of Keo pedals with a Ti spindle. I sold those and bought Speedplays.

I'm happy now.
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Old 05-01-14 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by colnagoc40
went from delta to keo 2 max carbon, due to bearing failure.

Is it just me, or what was look thinking? Not as comfortable as the old style and easier to accidentally unclip during a sprint.

Riding look for as long as i can remember, but it may be time for a change?
just you.
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Old 05-01-14 | 08:04 PM
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I have not accidentally unclipped off of a KEO pedal yet. I use the red cleats but have used grey in the past.

But I am not a 1000W kind of rider.
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Old 05-02-14 | 04:02 AM
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Try Campy's pro-fit pedals. They are designed such that when more pressure is applied to the pedal like during sprinting and climbing the retention mechanism makes it more difficult to unclip. This does not affect the float of the cleat/pedal nor does it affect the ability of the pedal to unclip in a wreck. What it does is make the pedal more secure in those situations where needed without any sacrifice to the other features of the pedal.

The drawback is the cleats are a little bit more expensive and the retention mechanism can wear out eventually...but it is easily user replaceable.

-j
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Old 05-02-14 | 07:11 AM
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It's not the unclipping with Keos, it is clipping in. Whoever designed them could not have tested them. Deltas were very easy to clip in.
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Old 05-02-14 | 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by waters60
It's not the unclipping with Keos, it is clipping in. Whoever designed them could not have tested them. Deltas were very easy to clip in.
Keo Classic or the Keo2 Max. I had the same problem with the Keo classic, but somehow Keo 2 max is easier to clip into.
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Old 05-02-14 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by alwaysonjohn
have you guys tried the red cleats. I personally wear grays now since i just ride recreational and on group rides, but I just upgraded as well to the blade 2 carbons and they are definitely an upgrade over my older keos.
I use black. Simply because after a lifetime of no float toe clip/cleat setups, having my foot moving in the pedal is, for me, annoying. I have mine fitted, shim, etc...I have no issues with pain of foot/toe numbness. that's just me.

I do take a knife and cut the walking pads off the Look cleats now. Cannot stand that. I just use cleat covers if I absolutely need to walk. I carry covers on rides so if I flat, I can pop them on for the walking around while fixing the flat.

I have ridden Speedplay. Just do not like them if I have a choice...keep the cleat clean to engage it, lube the pedal, etc...but a lot of people like them so we sell them.
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Old 05-02-14 | 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by waters60
It's not the unclipping with Keos, it is clipping in. Whoever designed them could not have tested them. Deltas were very easy to clip in.

Actually they did test them. But the guys that did it were French and ride tons.
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