SPD SL or Look Keo ????

ginger J
ginger J Posts: 68
edited July 2007 in Workshop
Hi all. gonna put some new pedals on my bike. Anyone have any pref either Shim SPD SL or Look Keo ???

all thoughts appreciated

cheers

Comments

  • Eat My Dust
    Eat My Dust Posts: 3,965
    I can't comment on the Look pedals, but I've been using SL's for a couple of years now and wouldn't change them. (if that helps)
    SNAPS
  • Wittgenstein
    Wittgenstein Posts: 158
    I've tried both and the Shimano's are far superior.

    The Keo bearings have a habit of becoming loose after a while, and that's on the carbons and the classics. I've also heard reports of the carbon body of the Keo carbons snaping throwing the rider to the floor.

    The new SPD-SL's however, are very very good. Cannot be faulted in my book.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    I ride the Keo Classics. Very reasonably priced and so far I find the performance to be excellent.
  • SeamusD
    SeamusD Posts: 30
    I know you didn't ask about these but ... I've just bought some Crank Bros Quattro SL's. They have several advantages in that you can walk around without any special cleat covers as they have a special rubber footplate and also if you have egg beaters on your mountain bike (well I do) then you can ride any of your bikes in any pair of your shoes. There isn't much lateral adjustment in the three hole cleats though and that's a definite downside, overcome in my case with a bit of customisation.
    Perhaps you should have a look at these too?
  • woody-som
    woody-som Posts: 1,001
    I have been using the shimano SL's for just under a year now, and they are great. Don't go for the cheaper R540 or 105 pedals though (basically the same pedal). one of mine developed an anoying click, that a good service didn't fix. As far as I can thell, it was the plastic plate in the middle, but the new ultegra are nice, but I replaced them with the new dura -ace with the metal plate. Wiggle sell all the pedals in an OE version, which is the same as the retail version only cheaper because you don't have to pay for fancy packaging.
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    Keos get my vote. I have Classics and Sprints - I'd recommend the Sprint version as I find that I have to set the release tension to absolute max on the Classics (they are limited to a lower max tension than the other Keos).

    I tried SPD SL, but I couldn't get on with them - I couldn't clip in easily even after lots of practice and I couldn't get the cleat far enough back on my shoes (Specialized Comp) to be properly comfortable.

    I think the SL cleat wears less if you have to walk on it, but I always carry cleat covers for my Keos so it's not a problem.

    Neil
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • gavintc
    gavintc Posts: 3,009
    I started with SPD SL Ultegra version. They were pretty good until the little black plastic bit in the middle started to wear out. I fitted the replacement plastic thing and it lasted a couple of months. I realised then that my pedals of 1 yr old were about to wear out and I could not buy replacement bits. I note that the 2007 version have solved this problem with a metal insert, but, by then I was hacked off. So, I now ride Look Keo carbon and have been content with the change. I think clipping in is easier.
  • mspoke
    mspoke Posts: 29
    Go for the SPD-SL, very comfortable (in conjunction with a nice pari of shoes). Go for the new Ultegra if you can.
    http://www.denismenchov.com
    http://tdf.btpodshow.com/
  • Tarmacadam
    Tarmacadam Posts: 20
    I ride Keo, tho the two seem like very similar pedals,
    now I think I would go for a double entry pedal such as the speedplay pedals CSC use. Lighter, more practical and more options with set up in terms on cleat position but feckin pricey to say the least.
    I guess when you've bought em and they're proving their price tag iit all seems worth it however.
  • bigbaz
    bigbaz Posts: 538
    Time RX's.
  • domtyler
    domtyler Posts: 2,648
    edited March 2011
    The new 2007 Ultegra and DuraAce pedals are simply fantastic, I have replaced the pedals on all three of my bikes with them.
    ________
    Babi mac break away
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Porridge not Petrol
  • pieinthesky
    pieinthesky Posts: 417
    I have used the Keo Carbons and the Ultegra SLs. I find the SLs easier to clip into and easier (and safer) to walk in.
  • bobtravers
    bobtravers Posts: 115
    pieinthesky wrote:
    I have used the Keo Carbons and the Ultegra SLs. I find the SLs easier to clip into and easier (and safer) to walk in.

    Yes, but you can find some rubber "boots" that you can fix under look clips, easier and much more safer to walk with than SPD-SL
  • celticstorm
    celticstorm Posts: 24
    i spent a fortune on the look keo carbon and titanium pedals .........and it pains me too say this but they were a crock of cack, after about 150km the bearings came loose so they were returned to look and replacments sent out .....second set after about 400km the carbon body snapped giving me a body surf along the road and a butt full of gravel..........This is'nt at all like Look who usually produce quality items i used a set of A5.1pedals for years without any issues.
    The one thing i will say about Look is thier customer service is outstanding
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    I've got both. Looks are lighter and I feel a bit more connected to the pedal with them. I prefer them overall but suspect SPD-SLs are a more robust design (based on others' reports and two years trouble free service with them).
  • ginger J
    ginger J Posts: 68
    Thanks guys for all the opinions and experiences. Think i'm gonna go Ultegra route.
    Cheers

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