Look pedals for 20 years, I want a change

canoas

I've been using Look for 20 years +, left pedal (Keo Carbon) just broke after 4 years of weekend road use, 15,000kms not bad.

I've have a sore right knee for sometime and have been to specialists, who just say it's extra fluid around the knee and that I can't do much other than physio exercises that never seem work, anyway it's not so bad.......

Anyone recommend Speedplay pedals, I'm willing to try something different. I've heard good reviews for sore knees but not so good news for cleat setup and pedal/cleat maintenance.

I'm no so sure about Time, their expresso 12's look great but people I know say they a very fragile.

crikey

SPD-SL; like LOOK without the fragility and squeaking. I used LOOK pedals for about 15 years, wouldn't go back now after 12 years or so on SPD-SL.

Grill

I've put around 30,000 miles on Time iClic2/Xpresso pedals with no issues. Love the lateral float which not many other brands offer.

Monty Dog

I'd been a Look user since 1986 but squeaky / weak cleats that needed replacing every 6 months forced me change about 12 years ago - been a Time user ever since. Natural float and cleats that last 3-4x as long. Did look at Speedplay but they're stupidly expensive, high maintenance in our cr@ppy weather

Fishboyz

sdp-sl or time expresso

speshsteve

I have used speed plays over the past 4 years and to be honest I don't think I would buy them again. The cleats pick up crap and although you only have to grease the pedals infrequently the cleats are a ball ache to keep clean and to ensure they don't move on the mounting plate. They are far from fit and forget!

canoas

speshsteve wrote:

I have used speed plays over the past 4 years and to be honest I don't think I would buy them again. The cleats pick up crap and although you only have to grease the pedals infrequently the cleats are a ball ache to keep clean and to ensure they don't move on the mounting plate. They are far from fit and forget!

That just sounds like trouble to me, in bad weather especially.

canoas

Monty Dog wrote:

I'd been a Look user since 1986 but squeaky / weak cleats that needed replacing every 6 months forced me change about 12 years ago - been a Time user ever since. Natural float and cleats that last 3-4x as long. Did look at Speedplay but they're stupidly expensive, high maintenance in our cr@ppy weather

A natural float is what I'm after with me knee, I think I might give the Expresso 12's a go. Worth a try do they need special soles, or do the cleats just work with any Look compatible shoes?

Fishboyz

Ive had a few pairs of expresso's . They start lighter than the dura ace spl-sl's i have now at 220g for the expresso 2's. They have a decent amount of natural movement and only just moved to DA so not totally sold. Its worth looking out for exactly the same mavic pedal which is just black but follows the same range. Not sure its worth the extra for ti axles. The expresso 4/6's or mavic elites are a bargain.

gweeds

DuraAce. Every time.

naylor343

I am the exact opposite to yourself in that I have spent 20+ years on time and just moved to dura ace. The time pedals do give you a great amount of float, and if that is what your knees need then that is the most important consideration. The downside, and the reason I personally will not go back to time, is the excessive speed that their current range become worn. Where the original time with the 2 piece cleat were great and the later RXS too, but the cleats less so, I have personally found the xpresso to be terrible. They are great out of the box, but the cleats wear excessively quickly and the pedals are not what they were. I had a pair of 6 & 8s on 2 different bikes and they both were in the bin at the end of one season due to bearing play and wear to the pedal body. This is all the more frustrating for me as I still find that the time float is the perfect amount and feel ( when new) for me.

If you going to give them a try, I wouldn't recommend going in at the 12 level as this could prove pretty expensive. Also be they 6s or 12s remember to file down the outer most point of each pedal body or you will come home with bleading calves as the edge is like a little blade. Good luck with the search and I hope you find something that give your knees plenty more years pain free service.

cougie

I'm still on the original Looks - not Keos. Should I upgrade ?

964cup

Happy Speedplay user here. Don't overplay the hassle - I wouldn't use them for cyclocross, but they're fine for everything else. Properly adjustable float, light weight and easy engagement, plus a very low stack height if you use shoes with the proper Speedplay sole. You will need the grease gun & grease, but it's a one-time investment and takes no time at all to do. Similarly cleaning and lubing the cleats takes about a minute, if that, and you only have to do it once every few rides.

cattytown

Another trouble free speedplay user. Don't walk over muddy fields and you'll be fine. Keep On Kovers are worth the money for them. http://www.bike-science.com/products/ke ... tionpedals

Speedplay seem to be the best if float is important to you. I am duck footed and nothing comes close. I think the Xpresso float is different. The speedplay is unrestricted - no spring to push against and adjustable.

Speedplay also offer double sided engagement. No need to worry which way up the pedal is.

Paul.

canoas

Went my local shop who did a price match and I paid £93 for Look Keo 2 Blade Carbon Chromoloy in the end. The platform on the new Looks, are much bigger than previously and axle is cleverly hidden away under the carbon body, also lighter I choose 20nM option.

I had a look @expresso.....shop said they wear our quickly, cleats as well and can cut you legs...he showed me
Speedplay....not suitable for UK, too much maintenance required, good for crit racers though.

anyway if I get my bad knee again he said he would buy them back off me 2 week period...because he says the pedal has improved drastically than previously and also squeaky noise has been rectified.

lets wait and see I'll report back.

86inch

canoas wrote:

Speedplay....not suitable for UK, too much maintenance required, good for crit racers though.

What a tripe statement?
Are 1000's of happy UK users all wrong then?

IMHO best pedals i've ever used, after 30+ years on clipless pedals.

I should add, i use them all year round on summer and winter bike, i also live in rural Lincolnshire where muddy roads and tractors are the norm...

canoas

Good to hear positive feedback with SP, most of the problems I've heard is keeping them clean, lubing....and don't forget your coffee covers!

I know nothing about SP other than people's feedback, I'm willing to give them a try......... a guy at my office has and swears by them, said I can borrow them if I like...if Looks don't perform.

86inch

If people can't be bothered to grease a pedal a few times a year and taking of bit of care where they put their foot now-and-again is too much trouble, it doesn't bode well for the rest of their bike maintenance...

Anonymous

pedals for me should be fit and forget.

Happy user of R-540, 6700 and now 5800. Never had an issue of creaking. Cleats last well over 12 months of 2 way daily commuting with regular stopping + foot down (London)

FransJacques

new Keos are great. I have 1000s of kms on the Max pedals without an issue. no squeaking cleats. even tho the cleats are worn they transfer power fine

the new carbon springed pedals are nice - I'd advise against the 20 nm spring unless you're a track sprinter. the 12 should be fine for most applications

the cheapest place to get a lot of Look pedals is on the Canyon site actually!: https://www.canyon.com/en/accessories/#category=F04

cadseen

I changed from look after many years to Shimano SPD SL. Much better in my opinion as well.

the_cyclist_of_catan

I used to keep my Speedplay light-action cleats meticulously clean and lubed. For the last 12 months I decided that I CBA, and apart from one cleat working loose over a couple of hard rides (not enough Loctite used when I last adjusted them, probably) they've been absolutely fine. That might be down to using some excessively worn springs (they're some way over the "recommended" replacement mileage, but I like the easier release with my bad knees), but it might just as easily be down to the fact that problems are largely exaggerated.

I must recommend "Keep-on Kovers" for Speedplay cleats - they function as coffee-stop covers, to make it easier to walk on the cleats, but more than that they protect the metal cleat plate from being ground away when in contact with the tarmac. Racers may not put their feet on the ground very often, but commuting in Speedplays will wear through the plates in no time, and a new pair of cleats every 4 months gets expensive. A new pair of Keep-on Kovers every 12 months is much more affordable; my current cleats are also a year old and look like new.

I tried SPD-SLs and couldn't get on with them (lack of float being part of the problem), and Speedplays give a greater feeling of connection than SPDs. Not tried Look pedals, but as Speedplays work just fine for me I have no reason to try anything else.

DeVlaeminck

Look Keo are a step up from the Deltas - they wear better, don't get sloppy when the cleats do wear a bit and just feel more secure. I could see people not being happy with the Deltas but not the Keos. I've not experienced any squeaking, you get a choice of different float cleats, wear well, range of prices, good platform - can't really see there is much to improve on there they do the job of holding your foot on the pedal in pretty much trouble free way.

daver1

I used SPD-SL for years and they were hassle free but I switched to speedplay because I liked the idea of having double sided for when I commute.

Speedplay are almost hassle free. I just lube them a couple of times a year. If you use the keep-on covers you have a great platform when you need to put a foot down or walk.

I'd go for speedplay if you commute, stop a lot or walk a lot. If not maybe SPD-SL edge it for lower cost and even greater simplicity.

on-yer-bike

Speedplay Zero. Why use a pedal that you have to flip over? Just have to grease occasionally. Yes sh*t in the cleats can cause problems so just be careful where you stop for a p*ss. Loads of adjustment. Good enough for Cancellara and Contador to name but two.

canoas

well after starting this post, as already mentioned decided to buy Look Blade Keo 2 carbon with Chromoloy axle from Evans for £83 with their price match very happy and also very happy with my purchase. You automatically notice after upgrading from Leo Keo to Look Keo 2 a nice big platform 700mm2 to step into! I brought the 16nM spring tension and seems just right.

No knee issues yet! I adjusted my 4.5C cleats slightly, seems better. These pedals are much more springy and secure that the predecessor. Maybe one day I'll buy Speedplay but for £83 I can't justify spending over £150 for speedplay yet!

dave35

Speedplay zero are only £78 if you shop around, just switched back to Speedplay after 3 years of keo-missed them so much.
Where do you get the keep on covers from?

cattytown

dave35 wrote:

Speedplay zero are only £78 if you shop around, just switched back to Speedplay after 3 years of keo-missed them so much.
Where do you get the keep on covers from?

http://www.bike-science.com/products/ke ... tionpedals

mrb123

Has anyone using the Keep on Covers had problems with them coming off and getting lost or are the latest models pretty reliable at staying on?

gsk82

I've just ridden with my keo blade 2 for the first time and had a nightmare with them. i've used keos since i started riding properly in 2010 and always got on fine with them but found the 16nm blades ridiculously tight. i was having to unclip 20m before every junction just in case i couldn't get the foot out. on two occasions i couldn't get it out but luckily was able to do a u turn and stay upright.

has anyone else found the blade 2s difficult to unclip from?

gsk82

I've just ridden with my keo blade 2 for the first time and had a nightmare with them. i've used keos since i started riding properly in 2010 and always got on fine with them but found the 16nm blades ridiculously tight. i was having to unclip 20m before every junction just in case i couldn't get the foot out. on two occasions i couldn't get it out but luckily was able to do a u turn and stay upright.

has anyone else found the blade 2s difficult to unclip from?