Pedal Systems

[Marek]

Right, I think I may bite the bullet over the next few months and upgrade from Look Delta pedals to something new. I would say that I have got on reasonably well with the Look cleats, but on very long rides have found I get hot spot. I would like to move to something that provides a good wide platform to spread the load across the foot but am not sure what system to go for.

Look Keo is the obvious first choice, but would be interested in peoples views of the Shimano road pedals and anything else that anyone has experience of. If you have experience of a couple of systems so can make a comparison then I would be happy to hear from you.

Cheers

Marek....

[Rob Q]

Marek, I suffered from hot foot on long rides and use Look Keo's. I had my feet put on a specialized footbed and after explaining the hot foot issue and they sorted me with Specialized BG High Performance Footbed and after a 145km (would normally have started suffering around 50-60 miles) ride on Sunday hey presto no hot foot. Something else to consider

[Keith]

Are you sure that you've not got some pedals in the shed somewhere that you'll end up using, whatever advice people give?

Seriously, if you want to borrow some Look Keo pedals for a weekend of riding, you can borrow the pair off my winter bike.

[kieran]

well, I use speedplay, although the pedal itself is small the cleat has a large contact area, so no hot foot for me. Also used shimano spd-r before with no problem, but I like the dual sided speedplays with lots of float and high clearance for those corners.

[Marcus]

Being new to road cycling I have tried the Look Keos and Shimanos. I didn't feel the platform on the Keos offered a large enough area and have found the Shimanos to better here, feeling solid and stable. I also find then easier to get into. However the cleats do wear very quickly.

I want to try the speedplay which Kieran is using. Thee seem to be becoming ever more popular and is being used by more riders in the peleton.

[Wal]

Keywin CRM pedals are, in my opinion, one of the best kept secrets in bike components. Affordable, weightweenie-light (192g/pr for the Ti axle versions), fully serviceable, durable and brilliant functioning. They have a nice wide, stable platform, positive engagement and tunable float: you can have free float, stiff float or completely locked out – or anything in between. I’ve recommended them to several people and feedback has been unanimously positive – in fact I’ve yet to hear of anyone who has tried them and then gone back to Time, Look, Shimano et al.

If I had any criticisms at all it would be that they’re not quite as easy to get into as some other pedals; you have to toe in with your heel angled outwards and twist in, and that the cleats do wear out if you walk on them (if you don’t, however, by all accounts they'll outlast most others). That said, the part you walk on isn’t the part that engages the pedal, so they will continue to function perfectly until they’re so worn that they can no longer stay engaged in the pedal.

I’ve had mine since 2004 and have yet to replace any bearings or bushings and they still spin smoothly with no play. I’m on my 3rd set of cleats, but I wore out the first two sets when I was taking my bike on the train every day and having to walk through East Croydon station on them.

[George]

I use Shimano always have done, they seem to last me 5-6 months with all my milage.

I did try Keo's once but had immediate knee niggle so swapped back immediately plus they were not as stable to walk around in at the cafe as Shimanos.

[DavidKennett]

Could try going for the open air relaxed sportive look....


[img]http://www.belizebike.com/images/pedalwithstrap.jpg[/img]

[David.Hilbert]

[quote="George"]I use Shimano always have done, they seem to last me 5-6 months with all my milage.

I did try Keo's once but had immediate knee niggle so swapped back immediately plus they were not as stable to walk around in at the cafe as Shimanos.

[Marek]

I have brought a set of the Shimano pedals so will try those out and see how I get on. Cheers for the tips.

Marek....

[Mike I]

Are 'Pedal Systems' what used to be called 'Pedals'? If so, I vote Keo, and the titamium-spindled ones look quite stylish.

[Ivor]

keo's for me. cos they're white and match the bike, shoes and socks.

[Dombo]

Keo Carbons with red cleats. Loads of float to accommodate the dodgiest of knees.