pedal advice needed

and107
and107 Posts: 55
edited January 2010 in Road beginners
Have just got a new bike needed some pedals the shop recommended look keo standard pedals as they seem to be what most of their customers go for but i have not been comfortable on the bike since i got them my knees move about a bit i think it is what they call over-pronating i think changing the pedals might help to a pedal whith a wider base for my big feet was looking at either shimano 105,or ultergra but have also read some good thoughts about the speedplay pedals does anybody have any thoughts or helpful advice.

Thanks in advance 8)

Comments

  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    I have 105s and they are great, nice platform and some float to suit my wonky ankle.
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    The two most important factors will be the position of the cleat on your shoe and the amount of float the pedal offers.

    Most pedals offer iro 5 degrees float, so it's worth checking the existing cleat position prior to spending more money on new pedals/cleats that may be no better.

    A good guide here: http://www.bikedynamics.co.uk/fit01.htm
    Cycling weakly
  • and107
    and107 Posts: 55
    great many thanks for the help
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    You'll find that your feet DO swivel round wuite freely on Look Keo's - at least that's how I remember them, very vague sort of feeling compared to the metal feel of the SPD's.

    Luckily, there's some non-Shimano pedals made in the style of an SPD like Wellgo RC-715's that have a more "resistant" type of float - apparently there's 5 degrees of float in these just like the grey LOOK cleats but personally I've never noticed my feet dancing around on the RC-715's whereas my knees always tracked badly with the Keo's.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Either of the Shimano brands (esp the 105's) will be considerably cheaper than any of the Speedplay offerings; not that that should be the overriding factor. For what it's worth I'm using the DA pedals these days and I'm not sure there's that much difference between these and the 105's I had previously (maybe just a weight thing).

    Anyway, I'd go along with skyd0g's advice, make sure you can't get more out of your current setup before making that change.
  • vision267
    vision267 Posts: 149
    I got a pair of keo max2 today,I have shimano 105 pedal's as well.The shimano's are real heavy compared to the look pedal.I have only used the keo's on the turbo but they are much safer clipping in and out is easier.The 105 pedal's have a much tighter grip on your foot and need more force to unclip.This might not be so good for your knee's and might make the problem worse.

    Maybe the problem might be with cleat position seat height.I know a man who use's only time rxs pedal's because of his bad knee's.He swear's by them and he used to race and own's a bike shop so he should know.

    My right knee has given some problem's but never when I cycle.I hope the keo's dont give knee problem's as some hear have said.
  • Wheelspinner
    Wheelspinner Posts: 6,726
    Look Keo have different colour cleats for varying degrees of float. From memory, the red cleats have the most float, about 9 degrees I think, and the grey ones have half that. Not sure if they do a zero float version.. I find the grey ones more than adequate, and the red ones a bit too loose.

    You can also adjust the release tension, with an allen key, on the pedal to make them easier or harder to release. I find with Looks that the lowest tension works ok for me.
    Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS
  • and107 wrote:
    Have just got a new bike needed some pedals the shop recommended look keo standard pedals as they seem to be what most of their customers go for but i have not been comfortable on the bike since i got them my knees move about a bit i think it is what they call over-pronating i think changing the pedals might help to a pedal whith a wider base for my big feet was looking at either shimano 105,or ultergra but have also read some good thoughts about the speedplay pedals does anybody have any thoughts or helpful advice.

    Thanks in advance 8)

    Judging from your post, you were previously riding a bike that you did not have the same problem with. In which case, is your new bike set up exactly the same as your old one? What I'm getting at is that there are many factors other than the pedals that could cause the problem you are describing, so if you haven't already done so, it's worth checking that the bike is set up correctly before changing pedals.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    and107 wrote:
    Have just got a new bike needed some pedals the shop recommended look keo standard pedals as they seem to be what most of their customers go for but i have not been comfortable on the bike since i got them my knees move about a bit i think it is what they call over-pronating i think changing the pedals might help to a pedal whith a wider base for my big feet was looking at either shimano 105,or ultergra but have also read some good thoughts about the speedplay pedals does anybody have any thoughts or helpful advice.

    Thanks in advance 8)

    This affects your feet as you 'walk'!, basically walking on the outer edge of your foot, or foot rolling out as you walk.
    Supination is the opposite.

    Firstly, I would check all your measurements against those of your old bike. Saddle position, saddle set back, KOPS, saddle to stem, etc. These can all impact your knees and must be checked.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • hopper1 wrote:
    This affects your feet as you 'walk'!, basically walking on the outer edge of your foot, or foot rolling out as you walk.
    Supination is the opposite.

    Firstly, I would check all your measurements against those of your old bike. Saddle position, saddle set back, KOPS, saddle to stem, etc. These can all impact your knees and must be checked.

    Pronation is actually the inward rolling of the foot, i.e. the flattening of the arch. If someone has issues with over-pronation when running or walking, it could well affect them on the bike as well.