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-   -   The Shopping Thread! (https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/226124-shopping-thread.html)

markg 10-16-06 09:08 PM


Originally Posted by devilinblack
What is it you don't like about the Forte's? I was looking at a pair for the "new" bike and hoping that they'd work with my current mountain shoes with SPD's. I'd actually ordered a similar set from Nashbar in their returns section but found out today that someone beat me to them.

They are a pain in the ass to get clipped into wearing road shoes. They are usually always upside down when I leave a stop, and just getting the cleat to catch is a pain, and gets worse as I get tired. It's not as bad if you are wearing a mtn/touring style shoe that recesses the cleat in the sole, but I don't know how many times I've almost killed myself slipping off the damn things with my road shoes!

jschen 10-16-06 09:10 PM

markg, if your only problem is clipping in, maybe try Shimano SPD pedals? I have the cheapest ones on my Specialized Allez and on the Specialized Roubaix that I'm giving my dad. They're double sided, and I find them extremely easy to use compared to the Look Keos.

markg 10-16-06 09:23 PM


Originally Posted by jschen
markg, I'm happy with my switch from SPD to Look Keo. The biggest difference I found was greater lateral stability out of the saddle, which is helping me stay out of the saddle for longer stretches of time on steep sections. Well, that and much faster cleat wear. I also have a bit more trouble clipping in, but it's not that bad, and I'm getting better at it. If it matters to you, I hear Shimano road pedals/cleats have much slower cleat wear.

Been debating the Look Keo vs Shimano SPD-SL. But saw a comment in the "tinkering" thread (and also on Roadbikereviews) that the Shimano's (at least the Ultegra's) tend to flop upside down as well. Had originally wanted Speedplay's (BTW remind share some some Richard Bryne war stories sometime), but decided I didn't like all the hardware bolted to the shoes.

herbm 10-16-06 09:29 PM


Originally Posted by jschen
markg, I'm happy with my switch from SPD to Look Keo. The biggest difference I found was greater lateral stability out of the saddle, which is helping me stay out of the saddle for longer stretches of time on steep sections. Well, that and much faster cleat wear. I also have a bit more trouble clipping in, but it's not that bad, and I'm getting better at it. If it matters to you, I hear Shimano road pedals/cleats have much slower cleat wear.

herbm, hope you like your new wheels. :)


Thanks Jason..I cant wait to take em for a spin!
FWIW..I went from SPD to the Speedplays...great float...great movement..I am just not as thrilled having to walk with them..but the coffee caps help!

jschen 10-16-06 09:29 PM

markg, that flipping around happens to me with the Keos sometimes, and that's the main reason I have more trouble clipping in than with double sided SPD pedals. In principle, they're weighted in such a fashion that as the pedal comes up, you naturally clip in. But sometimes, a quick downstroke with my right foot causes the left pedal to flip around, making it a bit difficult to clip in. No big deal, though... just pedal around (preferably one-legged to let the errant pedal get back in position) and try again.

markg 10-16-06 09:42 PM


Originally Posted by jschen
markg, that flipping around happens to me with the Keos sometimes, and that's the main reason I have more trouble clipping in than with double sided SPD pedals. In principle, they're weighted in such a fashion that as the pedal comes up, you naturally clip in. But sometimes, a quick downstroke with my right foot causes the left pedal to flip around, making it a bit difficult to clip in. No big deal, though... just pedal around (preferably one-legged to let the errant pedal get back in position) and try again.

I'm coming from single-sided SPD's that are ALWAYS completely upside down (or seems like it) and never flip over as the crank comes up. So anything would be better than what I have right now! Of course I am probably STILL unlearning the old habit of flipping the pedal to insert the shoe into the toe clip.

Now reading more Roadbikereview, there seem to be a number of people that have broken pedal spindles on their Keo's :( And a friend of mine got some of the new Time pedals and the one of the cleats broke in pretty short order.

VanceMac 10-16-06 09:44 PM

I bought this Hollywood rack (sport rider) last week for my Acura... mainly because I needed it on short notice, and Reseda Bikes had it in stock. But I'm pretty impressed with it, after an inaugural trek to PHX and back.

http://hollywoodracks.com/hr1000alg.gif

mrdick 10-16-06 09:47 PM

i bought a E3 Curve CF handlebar a couple days ago. these just came out from Performance. reg $189.99. its not on the website yet but we do have it in stock (North Torrance store). very comfortable on the flats as it has a flat section on the flats and also very ergonomic on the hoods and the drops. a tad flexy as it is cf but still responsive. paired that up with a ritchey wcs stem. its great.

voltman 10-16-06 09:53 PM

As of now, I picked up a set of black Shimano R550 wheels for $150. I liked my old silver ones well enough, and the black with match my bike a little more. At that price range, I'm still thinking of exchanging for Ultegra/Open Pros.

DaveSANYYZ 10-16-06 09:56 PM

I got my Keo Carbons from PBK. Have had them for about a month, and it's actually pretty good so far. Can't compare it with any other roadie pedals though. Compared with mtb Time ATACs, they're easier to get in and out. If you're getting yours from PBK, remember to use their kit builder and throw in a set of cleats w/covers as well. I believe their 10% off kit builder will effectively get you that extra cleat for "free". :)

Other diff of PBK version compared to the boxed US ones:
- no box
- Keo label on contact side of pedals is a sticker instead of printed onto the pedal itself
- cleat covers are not included

Cleat wear-wise, one set will prob last me a year but I only do weekend riding. I think jschen's first set lasted a little over a month or something like that.

jschen 10-16-06 10:00 PM


Originally Posted by DaveSANYYZ
I think jschen's first set lasted a little over a month or something like that.

Yes, I swapped my first set after about 400 miles. But not knowing how badly they wear, I was a bit less careful about using cleat covers for walking around. And with my initial getting used to the pedals, a few missed clip ins on steep slopes quickly put a huge amount of wear on my left cleat (the side I usually clip in/out on). My current set lasted much better, though I found that the majority of the wear comes from a few missed clip ins on steep slopes. If I rode only on flat ground, my cleats probably would last a really long time.

DaveSANYYZ 10-16-06 10:05 PM


Originally Posted by markg
I'm coming from single-sided SPD's that are ALWAYS completely upside down (or seems like it) and never flip over as the crank comes up. So anything would be better than what I have right now! Of course I am probably STILL unlearning the old habit of flipping the pedal to insert the shoe into the toe clip.

Oops, I should have read further before responding. From the display rack in Performance retail stores, all their single side roadie pedals point up and a little backwards. Look/Shimano pedals have a somewhat fluid spindle and they easily assume that position. Time spindles seem to have more friction.

With my Keo, I normally position my foot further back and glide my foot forward trying to clip in. ~80% success on first attempts. In the failed attempts, I either ride with one leg or just use the back side of the pedal until I can safely try again.

jschen 10-16-06 11:55 PM

I got home to find a FedEx delivery notice telling me that a package was left with the apartment office. I wonder what that package might contain. Could it be my package from Nytro? :D

jsigone 10-17-06 12:03 AM

surprise you didn't just ride up to Nytro for your parts:D

mrdick 10-17-06 12:25 AM


Originally Posted by voltman
As of now, I picked up a set of black Shimano R550 wheels for $150. I liked my old silver ones well enough, and the black with match my bike a little more. At that price range, I'm still thinking of exchanging for Ultegra/Open Pros.

if you want a more stronger, reliable wheel, go with the ultegra/open pro.

jschen 10-17-06 12:53 AM


Originally Posted by jsigone
surprise you didn't just ride up to Nytro for your parts:D

I think I've done enough riding to tide me through at least until Wednesday.

caligurl 10-17-06 05:06 AM


Originally Posted by herbm
Thanks Jason..I cant wait to take em for a spin!
FWIW..I went from SPD to the Speedplays...great float...great movement..I am just not as thrilled having to walk with them..but the coffee caps help!


i LOVE my speedplays and have no issues walking on them even without the coffee covers!

markg 10-17-06 08:01 AM


Originally Posted by caligurl
i LOVE my speedplays and have no issues walking on them even without the coffee covers!

Speedplay's would definitely be the OCP solution on a Cervelo....

Mo'Phat 10-17-06 08:11 AM


Originally Posted by voltman
As of now, I picked up a set of black Shimano R550 wheels for $150. I liked my old silver ones well enough, and the black with match my bike a little more. At that price range, I'm still thinking of exchanging for Ultegra/Open Pros.


Originally Posted by mrdick
if you want a more stronger, reliable wheel, go with the ultegra/open pro.

I have these wheels...have 2100 miles on them, and although they're not the most bombproof, I've had zero problems. Never had to have them trued (they may need it, but they still ride straight and don't rub the brakes at all). They do tend to feel a bit flexy when under a major load...say, sprinting up a hill and tossing the bike back and forth...but they're good enough that I can't really justify an upgrade. Besides, I think they look better than the Ultegra/open pro rig. I prever the R550 hubs over the Ultegras. Just my opinion.

Mo'Phat 10-17-06 08:13 AM


Originally Posted by caligurl
i LOVE my speedplays and have no issues walking on them even without the coffee covers!

What shoes do you have? Is there 'tread' on them? My road shoes only have a little hard plastic pad right at the heel, so the walking surface is the metal Speedplay plate and that hard plastic pad. Not the easiest to walk in, as compared to the rubber surface of the SPD-SL cleats.

Mo'Phat 10-17-06 08:18 AM


Originally Posted by mrdick
i bought a E3 Curve CF handlebar a couple days ago. these just came out from Performance. reg $189.99. its not on the website yet but we do have it in stock (North Torrance store). very comfortable on the flats as it has a flat section on the flats and also very ergonomic on the hoods and the drops. a tad flexy as it is cf but still responsive. paired that up with a ritchey wcs stem. its great.

I was looking at that bar just last Friday. They looked comfortable, but I'm terrified. Ask SirLanceImNot what he thinks of Carbon bars. :p Just be careful if you smash a pothole.

herbm 10-17-06 09:02 AM


Originally Posted by Mo'Phat
What shoes do you have? Is there 'tread' on them? My road shoes only have a little hard plastic pad right at the heel, so the walking surface is the metal Speedplay plate and that hard plastic pad. Not the easiest to walk in, as compared to the rubber surface of the SPD-SL cleats.


Sorry to jump in Mo...
I have Sidi Genius 5....they have a soft rubber pad on the heel...so that helps a bit...but it does wear out...I just ordered another set to replace when these total wear out...they just screw in...
The shoes are ok...I have had major foot problems lately..and am still wondering if its the shoes!
But at $225, I hate to have to dump them, but I will if things dont get better...
I like the double sided entry of the speedplays...I was concerned about getting into single sided pedals in traffic...

caligurl 10-17-06 09:06 AM


Originally Posted by Mo'Phat
What shoes do you have? Is there 'tread' on them? My road shoes only have a little hard plastic pad right at the heel, so the walking surface is the metal Speedplay plate and that hard plastic pad. Not the easiest to walk in, as compared to the rubber surface of the SPD-SL cleats.

specialized carbon pros.... so no.... no tread..... VERY smooth! (my first pair of speedplays were also on specialized road shoes.... but not carbon soled)

voltman 10-17-06 09:12 AM

I'm staring at my bike in my office right now. It still has the silver R550s. I have the black ones in the trunk. Why do I want Open Pros now? I should just take up fishing or somethign.

BigSean 10-17-06 09:28 AM


Originally Posted by voltman
I'm staring at my bike in my office right now. It still has the silver R550s. I have the black ones in the trunk. Why do I want Open Pros now? I should just take up fishing or somethign.


That can be expensive too, Ive got $20,000 worth of rods, reels, and lures in my back room. Problem is if I sell it I can only get about 60% of that value back. Maybe someone will steal it, its insured.:rolleyes:


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