pedals: recommendations please

Alain Quay

Had it with Look pedals, can someone recommend an affordable alternative
that allows easy use - I live in city so lots of traffic lights - and cleats that can walk in.

Thanks

redddraggon

Simple Shimano MTB SPDs? Or Time ATACs?

pliptrot

May I enquire what's up with Look pedals? I gave up on them because of poor bearings - always play in them and they didn't last long. (When Campagnolo offered a Look pedal [entirely Look including the internals] they got no end of complaints in this vein).

I've used Shimano SPDs since {yes, on a road bike too}- and although the (XT) versions are more expensive than the gazillion look-a-likes from Taiwan they run smoother, last longer and are much more consistent in entry and exit. Despite having just 2 rows of tiny ball bearings, they seem to last. I'd absolutely recommend them. Why the SPD road pedals (and even the SPD-R) didn't take off I've no idea - I thought they were great.

robbarker

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shima ... 360031862/

fast as fupp

you should be able to wear normal shoes with these

http://drumsandcymbalsus.com/wp-content ... pedal1.JPG

geoff_ss

Any Shimano SPD type pedal. For road bikes I prefer the A520 single sided ones which are excellent and provide both good support and the ability to walk easily like a normal human being.

Geoff

jimwin

Shimano A530 for me on long rides. The extra support really works. But on shorter rides, I found Crank Bros Candy SLs really easy to click in and clip out. But the bearings are not so long lasting.

- JimW

synchronicity

I'd go for Time ATACs. Those that haven't tried them, don't know what they're missing. Waaaay better than SPDs.

alfablue

I prefer double-sided SPD's particularly in the city. I know you get used to it, but flipping the pedal isn't necessary with double sided ones. For cheap and good, go Shimano PD-M520, can be found for around £14 on eBay. Or go up-market and get the XTR ones - M970 about £72, or any model in between. They're all good, more money gets you slightly decreasing weight, better bearings and slicker entry.

giant_man

There is nothing wrong with Look pedals and cleats. I've had mine for years, it's like anything else, if you look after them they are fine. Wouldn't use anything else actually.

doyler78

Use the A530 on my commuter for when I don't want to clip between traffic lights that are closely spaced and the A520 on my drop bar bike because I don't ride urban areas on it as there are plenty of lovely quiet rural roads round my way

The A520 and A530 are far better than my previous M515 and M324 pedals which were harder to get out of. Didn't really like clipless until I got these.

MartinL

SPD-SL's, you can pick up the R540's for £22. Nicer bearings than the Looks and the cleats last a lot longer and are easier to walk in.

I switched from Look Deltas after snapping two sets of axles within 6 months. There is a milled collar on the axle which the inside bearing butts up against, this is a perfect stress riser and both sets have gone at the same place. The Keo's seem to have the same problem

cougie

I use Looks on my racing bike, but the winter bike has Time Atacs - fantastic pedals and with my MTB shoes - I can walk very well at cafe stops. I'd certainly buy another pair of Atacs.

andrewgturnbull

cougie wrote:

I use Looks on my racing bike, but the winter bike has Time Atacs - fantastic pedals and with my MTB shoes - I can walk very well at cafe stops. I'd certainly buy another pair of Atacs.

Snap.

Look Keo's on road and TT bike, Atacs on cross and fixed bike.

With a decent pair of carbon-soled shoes I also use atacs for grass track racing, just cos the keo's get clogged up with mud with all the hanging around between races.

Cheers, Andy

ps The other solution is to learn to track stand at lights and buy some cleat covers for walking up and down the stairs.

gkerr4

Hi There - my personal preference for pedals with cleats you can walk in is the Shimano SPD's - I have them on my fixed and my MTB. They aren't particulary fancy (nor lightweight!) but they do work.

For ones which you can't walk in (so to speak) I used to use SPD-SL which were (are) great but recently tried Time RXS and love the the extra movement they give (which some people don't like at all!)

I did try the Time ATACS on my fixed gear - they are highly rated and I wondered if they would be a bit like the RXS but with walkable cleats - sadly they are not and I don't like them - but plenty do.

If you fancy trying the Time ATACS I have a set of the Roc ATAC 'S" model for sale - like these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Time_ ... 360032821/
I am going to stick them on ebay but would rather sell here if you fancy - PM me if you are interested. They have honestly just been around the block, I mean about 2 miles max and are "as new".


(Shameless plug - I also have a set of 105spec 5610 SPD-SL for sale too - they have about 50 miles on them before `I switched to the Times - but the cleats are brand new unused. (these are the new shape ones like this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shima ... 360031902/)

MartinL

Product recall info...

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08354.html

-

wildmoustache

does anyone actually know the spec and performance of the bearings in Look pedals vs. rivals?

I smell a bit of BS going on in this thread!

I have used Shimano SPD-SL and Look and am currently using the Look Keo Carbon Ti and think it works very well. similar to the SPD-SL but a useful 1/3 lighter.