So while I've greatly increased my knowledge of cycling since I got my first road bike, I seem to have missed the value of one pedal over another. I mean, I understand the obvious difference between Speedplay/EggBeaters (2- and 4-sided entry) vs the larger platform of more traditional designs. I also grasp the obvious weight advantages of carbon, magnesium, etc. I also understand the significance of float.

What I don't get is the difference between the comparable Wellgos of the world vs the Look, Time, Campy and Shimano models. Is it just that Wellgo (and other companies) copy the designs of the big players, so they're not paying for R&D costs? Or are their pedals actually inferior somehow (they weigh the same, so I'm thinking maybe structurally there's a problem)?

I'm getting a new bike built up (the way I want it, but still on the cheap) and while I had put a lot of thought into everything else that is going on it, I completely overlooked the pedals. I've got Wellgo R4s on my current steel bike, which I'm going to keep as it's great to do charity rides and what not. Is there some reason why I shouldn't get a second set of these to put on my new, "faster" bike (so that I can use the same shoes)?

Any insight would be appreciated.

The R&D thing is pretty much it. Look, Time, etc do make a big difference, but maybe not worth the price for most. If your not looking for high-end pedals, wellgo's are fine.

I've used double sided Nashbar MTB pedals (SPD) and Specialized MB shoes for years. I broke the clip part of a set of Ultegra pedals once and decided that having two clips per side was a real advantage; after trying to pedal 10 miles pulling my foot off the pedal on every stroke!

I like being able to walk normally in my shoes and the quality, whatever it might be, of the Nashbar pedal is sufficient for my needs.

I've previously owned high end Look and it is good stuff....but you will fall on your a$$ in a Circle K once in the first four times you walk in. (Wear your clown mask! )

After using SPD and mountain shoes for years I switched to Look Keo's and will never go back. I got the cleat covers so I don't have an issue with walking or sliding in a convenient store like you might without them. The Keo's are low profile so I actually feel like my foot is part of the pedal, there easy to clip into and out of and they are almost half the weight of most SPD pedals.

Just my $.02 worth....

Ah, but Grasshopper, you must weigh the mountain, not just one rock.

I had Look PP 256s??, and you are right; big platform, light weight....but the big clips on the bottom weigh more than a tiny little SPD cleat, wear out rapidly and are dangerous to put onto anything other than the pedal. Then add in the HUGE, HEAVY "Cool Clips", and I don't think you save much weight.

But your $.02 is just as valuable as mine. Guess that's why we actually have choices.

Well I don't wear the cool clips on the bike and have no problem with the cleats anywhere and the KEO's are significantly lighter than the 256's. The cleats are made out of Teflon and plastic so I think if you check the weight you'll find they probably weigh less than the SPD's, I have never pulled out of them like I have the SPD's and the shoes weigh much less Keo 115g PP256 180g.

So Grasshopper says go Keo...

My Shimano RA-80 shoes with LOOK red ARC cleats weigh less then my Specialized Rockhopper Comp shoes with Shimano cleats. As a previous poster posted, you need to weigh the whole mountian, not just one rock. The Kool Kovers don't add enough weight.