Look pedals & cleats - am I doing something wrong?

Dave Croft

I've just bought some keo Pedals (2 Max model) & cleats to finally 'modernise' from Look Delta system. Mu old pedals were the CX7 - very good & bought for next to nothing at the time. These had a variable Q factor - basically this allows you to alter the lateral clearance of pedal from the crank arm. New ones don't do this. As a result my foot seems to rub against the crank arm when pedalling - made worse when wearing overshoes. I have set cleats up correctly i think - i.e. widest part of foot/shoe is over the pedal spindle. Also have the cleats pulled in toward inside/instep of shoe as far as poss so that when engaged in pedal shoe is as far away from crank arm as poss. I take a 45 or 46 shoe - biggish but not that large! Am not that large/beefy either (1.82m height and 73k weight) Does anyone have similar problems? I could put washer/spacers onto pedal threads as these come with 14mm threaded length. But i presume should not be more than 2mm or so as could place stress on pedals. Views and advice please.

mmacavity

What shoes are you using?

John.T

What part of the shoe rubs.

Dave Croft

John T - its the inside approx where the big toe joint starts. mmacavity - Pearl Izumi (vortex?) size 45 at present (have used otheres previously with same problem.

giant_man

Never tried Keos but still use the Look delta pedals and cleats, which perform flawlessly, so I'm loathe to change.

John.T

Dave Croft wrote:

John T - its the inside approx where the big toe joint starts. mmacavity - Pearl Izumi (vortex?) size 45 at present (have used otheres previously with same problem.

So right above the spindle then. Are you sure the cleat is as far to the inside as possible. There should be ample clearance there. Not used Keos but I have about 1cm with SPD and SPD-SL using size 44 shoes of various makes.

Stellite

Hi
I have the same problem. I also use the CX7s on my good bike and an old pair of Look pedals on my winter bike. I am using SIDI Goretex Boots size 11, and have just noticed wear on my Prendas overshoes.

There doesnt seem to be much movement on the Look cleats to provide Q clearance, so have just been living with the problem until the better weather.

The Q factor adjustment was very effective on the CX7s, and to be honest, i wont be upgrading in the future as long as i can find the delta cleats.

Dave Croft

Stellite. Interesting! I had hoped to gradually transfer to keo's. Using CX7 on winter bike. I have an old pair of Look 356 (delta) - i may just do as you and stick with deltas till no longer can get. JohnT cleats really are as far in as possible. Real issue is when i wear overshoes of course.
Worth noting i have apair of SPD shoes/cleats which i sometimes use if say abroad & want to walk about a bit and to the tourist thing and clearance on these is ok.

John.T

It must be a Keo thing.

Ben6899

Clipping the crank arms with your shoes right above the pedal spindle isn't something I have come across; it usually happens (if at all) further back toward the BB with the heel of the shoe making the contact (normally with people who have a prone gait, if I have that the right way around)...

How thick are your overshoes?

magliaceleste

According to the blurb you can indeed get "special" washers which will increase the Q-Factor by a couple of mm (55 vs 53mm).

No idea where from though or what is special about them.