I've been using Look Keo pedals for a year now.....

Massimo
Massimo Posts: 318
edited February 2011 in Road buying advice
....and I hate them

I thought i would give myself enough time to carry out a proper test, and i really do hate them.

I'd always used Time but couldn't get any of the new I-Clic pedals in time to coincide with a new bike so I went for a pair of the yellow Contador edition pedals just to see what all of the fuss was about.

God they are vile. Getting clipped in is purely a matter of luck, the bearings on the right hand pedal are already sounding gritty and nasty and the cleats......oh how i hate the cleats, with those little rubber pads that peel off within a month and make the dodgy clipping in even more difficult.

My new Time I-Clic pedals have been ordered. Look, I will never go near your stuff again.
Crash 'n Burn, Peel 'n Chew
FCN: 2

Comments

  • fleshtuxedo
    fleshtuxedo Posts: 1,858
    I'm the same the other way after snapping Time pedals twice and nearly killing myself. You pays your money and makes your choice....
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Just to bring some balance: I like my Keos.
  • Keith47
    Keith47 Posts: 158
    I've been using Look Keo's for 2 years now, but I bought them as a newbie and have used them ever since so have nothing to compare them against. I've only ever had the oft-posted problems of forgetting to un-clip a couple of times, other than that they've been fine. Starting to look (?) a bit tatty now so will try a different make next time (?), may be able to post a semi-intelligent reply then! :?
    The problem is we are not eating food anymore, we are eating food-like products.
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    Nuggs wrote:
    Just to bring some balance: I like my Keos.

    +1
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I'm also a fan of Keos.

    Have you taken the axles out and cleaned/greased them?

    Also, you do know that you can get cleats without the non-slip rubber bits right? Cheaper as well.

    I'll take the Keos of your hands for the right price :wink:
    More problems but still living....
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Massimo wrote:
    God they are vile

    No they aren't - I've been using the same pedals for a year and they've been great. Have you thought of getting an exchange if the bearings really are faulty and giving the clipping in practice a bit more time? Maybe worthwhile though I never really think it is worth changing from something that works for you anyway.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • I prefer my speedplay but my Keos are fine just not as easy to clip into, all down to maintenance me thinks :roll:

    But thanks for sharing.
  • Paul RS
    Paul RS Posts: 107
    6 yrs on keo's, wont even consider anything else at the moment, no issues, light, they work well.

    Why dont you change them if you hate them so much, that's what i'd do..
  • danowat wrote:
    Nuggs wrote:
    Just to bring some balance: I like my Keos.

    +1

    Another +1 here, been more than happy with mine since I bought them.
  • Massimo
    Massimo Posts: 318
    *Sigh* it must be me then :(

    However, thanks for your comments - always appreciated.

    Should the bearings need servicing after just one year though? We're only talking about 4500miles, or was i just unlucky this time?
    Crash 'n Burn, Peel 'n Chew
    FCN: 2
  • JRooke
    JRooke Posts: 243
    Its not you, everyone has their personal favourites, since converting from keo pedals to Speedplays I would never ever use anything else ever again, for me, keo pedals are a nuisance.
  • I didn't much like clipping in with Keos when I tried them and I posted on here about how the cleats failed - very fragile. On the bike and riding they were fine just not good for the commute.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • I have 4 pairs.. Only because my best pedals are Keo's and i wanted all y bike's the same.

    They're easy to service and they well enough but the cleats just don't last long enough.
    Also they make a creaky sound.

    Shimanos are ok but I've always fancied trying speedplays, They look awesome.
  • +1 for Keo pedals. Brought some Keo Sprints for my summer carbon bike and have now moved them to my winter bike in place of 12 year old Look Deltas.

    Recently purchased a set of Keo 2 Max carbon pedals for my best bike. I wouldn't consider using any other make of pedal having used Look pedals since 1988. :wink:
  • Pict
    Pict Posts: 108
    It's all about personal preference. I love my look keos. They are very secure and stable.
    Come back with your bike or upon it.
  • AndyD2574
    AndyD2574 Posts: 1,034
    Love mine. Great pedals.
    Specialized S Works Venge
    Argon18 E114
    Specialized Langster Single Speed
    Scott Spark Expert 29'er
    GT Avalanche
    http://www.glasgowgreencycleclub.co.uk
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    JRooke wrote:
    Its not you, everyone has their personal favourites, since converting from keo pedals to Speedplays I would never ever use anything else ever again, for me, keo pedals are a nuisance.

    +1 After a brief flirtation I have also returned to Speedplays and won't make the same mistake again! Apart from the awkward engaging, my Keo's never stopped creaking!
  • This thread reminds me of the Ford or Vauxhall discussions from a few years back. :D
  • ajb72 wrote:
    ! Apart from the awkward engaging, my Keo's never stopped creaking!

    I'm glad that this creaking issue has come up here. I couldn't work out where the creaking was coming from but, now I think about it, it's gone since taking the Keos off...
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • I'm glad that this creaking issue has come up here. I couldn't work out where the creaking was coming from but, now I think about it, it's gone since taking the Keos off...

    It may be the interface between cleat and pedal. A touch of furniture spray polish will do the trick. :wink:
  • Hated keo's as well. Prefer shimano for a firmer clip in, but won't use either after having speedplay!
    "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college! " - Homer
  • .....after having speedplay!

    No knowing much about speedplay and after looking at their web-site I wonder whether it's just a case of MTB riders, used to the double sided aspect of speedplay pedals, feeling more at ease with these pedals when deciding to purchase a road bike? Just a thought.

    http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... ome.choose
  • Lillywhite wrote:
    .....after having speedplay!

    No knowing much about speedplay and after looking at their web-site I wonder whether it's just a case of MTB riders, used to the double sided aspect of speedplay pedals, feeling more at ease with these pedals when deciding to purchase a road bike? Just a thought.

    http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuse ... ome.choose
    I've only ever ridden/raced road bikes and have only ever used road pedals...they are just better!
    "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college! " - Homer
  • boblo
    boblo Posts: 360
    This is like pedallers anonymous... I have SPDR's that I don't like... All my other bikes have eggies or double sides SPD's on them and I find the SPDR's a royal PIA to get into. It's almost certainly my technique but I find myself fiddling around getting in after junctions when on the others, it's stamp and go. If you do this on the SPDR's you can get the wrong side and then you start mangling the finish..
  • Got a pair of Look Keo2 pedals and been using Look clipless ever since the originals came out in the early 90's.........never really had a problem with them in all those years other than the squeeking sound from the cleats on the upper surface of the pedal (they have always been bad for this).

    That's the only real downside to Look pedals, the cleats, they have always been a bit noisy and get wrecked a little easily.......best advise is to buy cleat covers and put them on when walking off the bike into the cafe!
    Summer - Dolan Tuono with Sram Force and Dura-Ace 7850 CL Carbon wheels
    Winter - old faithful Ribble winter bike
    SugarSync cloud storage referral link (better than DropBox atm imho) https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?rf=mzo2tcrhm5gn