General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Clipless pedal suggestions Rss Feed  
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2008-10-22 10:58 PM

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Veteran
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El Segundo, CA
Subject: Clipless pedal suggestions

In the frenzy of building up a new road bike, I've given some thought to switching out pedals/shoes. The only clipless pedals I've used are pretty low-end SPD's with mountain bike shoes. The main advantage I've found with them is that they're relatively easy to run in during transitions (I don't do the flying bike mount... yet).

I'm just hoping to get some feedback regarding the other pedal types out there- Look, Speedplay, etc. Advantages, disadvantages, personal experience. Thanks!



2008-10-23 2:30 AM
in reply to: #1760766

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Master
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Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
Look are very popular - I have Look Keo pedals and they are easy to clip in and out of and well priced.
2008-10-23 7:13 AM
in reply to: #1760766

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Master
3546
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Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
I went with Time RSX pedals after reading this article, and have been happy.  I upgraded from SPD's to these and could not believe the difference.
2008-10-23 7:20 AM
in reply to: #1760874

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Champion
9060
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
Pedals tend to be a personal preference, I have speedplay's and love them, some people hate them.
2008-10-23 7:18 PM
in reply to: #1760874

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Master
1993
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
JoshKaptur - 2008-10-23 7:13 AM

I went with Time RSX pedals after reading this article, and have been happy.  I upgraded from SPD's to these and could not believe the difference.


Wow! Thanks for posting the link to that article. I'm in the market for a new pedal system (currently using SPD's w/MTB shoes) and would have never even considered looking at the Time RXS pedal...but after reading that article, I think I've found my new pedals. Looks like these will be sitting pretty under the Christmas tree this year!
2008-10-24 2:33 PM
in reply to: #1760766

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Master
1993
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
Hmm...after doing some further research, it appears the Time RXS pedals have some durability issues. I've come across lots of reports/reviews of the front of the pedal just snapping right off! That can't be good. I think I'll reconsider getting them for now...unless they have corrected the problem and have come out with an upgraded pedal.


2008-10-24 6:17 PM
in reply to: #1764634

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Elite
2527
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Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

I ride Crank Brother's Quattro road pedals for reasons I've explained many, many times in this forum (if you're interested in details, do a search for Quattros); essentially: low cost, adjustable tensioned float, double sided, 4 points of entry (so easy in/out), no clog cleats, no maintenance, easy to run in, come in many colours...and I've never seen anyone post a single negative comment about them on BT. None. 

 



Edited by sty 2008-10-24 6:18 PM
2008-10-24 7:41 PM
in reply to: #1760766

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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
Shimano Ultegra 6620 pedals here

I like them so much I'm putting them on my road bike too. I might have a set of lower end shimano road pedals up on the board before long.
2008-10-26 10:14 AM
in reply to: #1765262

New user
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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

For those who ride with single-sided pedals: is it difficult clipping in? - hard to get the pedal to be on the right side to clip in?  I don't want to jump on my bike and fumble with the pedals for the first bit of the ride.

I want to upgrade my pedals, but not sure what to get.  This forum is helping.  My LBS says "Shimano", but I'm worried about the single-sided issue.

 Thoughts?

2008-10-26 11:09 AM
in reply to: #1766398

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
ChiroMike - 2008-10-26 11:14 AM

For those who ride with single-sided pedals: is it difficult clipping in? - hard to get the pedal to be on the right side to clip in?  I don't want to jump on my bike and fumble with the pedals for the first bit of the ride.

I want to upgrade my pedals, but not sure what to get.  This forum is helping.  My LBS says "Shimano", but I'm worried about the single-sided issue.

 Thoughts?

I switched from SPD to Ultegra SPD-SL's a couple of years ago and find they are actually easier to clip into.  The -SL's are heavier in the rear which causes them to hang  in the same position on the cranks.  That makes it easy to catch the front loop of the pedal with the front of the cleat.  I can clip in without looking most of the time.

Mark

2008-10-26 1:51 PM
in reply to: #1766434

New user
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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

Thanks for your reply Mark ... I have more research to do to understand more about the different styles that have evolved.

 My new bike (Opus Andante, 2008) came with clipless pedals.  What am I to make of them?  Are they the heaviest/worst pedals on the market, and thus come standard with the bike?  Or, do I assume that the bike is full of good componentry (Ultegra & 105's) and thus the pedals are above average as well?  The pedals look just like my pedals from my 10 year old mountain bike, so I assume they can/should be upgraded.



2008-10-27 10:37 AM
in reply to: #1766530

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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
ChiroMike - 2008-10-26 2:51 PM

Thanks for your reply Mark ... I have more research to do to understand more about the different styles that have evolved.

My new bike (Opus Andante, 2008) came with clipless pedals. What am I to make of them? Are they the heaviest/worst pedals on the market, and thus come standard with the bike? Or, do I assume that the bike is full of good componentry (Ultegra & 105's) and thus the pedals are above average as well? The pedals look just like my pedals from my 10 year old mountain bike, so I assume they can/should be upgraded.



What pedals are they? Pictures would be a good thing too.
2008-10-27 10:44 AM
in reply to: #1767621

New user
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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

The clipless pedals that came with my bike are labeled: HTI 300 SPD Clipless.  Perhaps a no-name brand put together by the bike manufacturer.  When I google this it only brings up my bike manufacturer's pages (Opus).

 If I upgrade with Shimano, should I upgrade to Dura-Ace, or is Ultegra sufficient?  Thoughts on this? What would the price difference be, if you know?

2008-10-27 11:41 AM
in reply to: #1767646

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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
ChiroMike - 2008-10-27 11:44 AM

The clipless pedals that came with my bike are labeled: HTI 300 SPD Clipless. Perhaps a no-name brand put together by the bike manufacturer. When I google this it only brings up my bike manufacturer's pages (Opus).

If I upgrade with Shimano, should I upgrade to Dura-Ace, or is Ultegra sufficient? Thoughts on this? What would the price difference be, if you know?



If you look in this forum you'll see I asked darn near the same question. I've chosen to go with Ultegra and I'm happy with that choice. I found the pedals for about $60 shipped.

No clue whose pedals the HTI 300 are.
2008-10-27 1:01 PM
in reply to: #1760766

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
I use Look Keo. First year after using MTB SPD which are double sided, so in the beginning it has taken me a while to clipping into the Keo's. Getting better, but still fumble with them from time to time. The Crank Brother's Quattro mentioned above sound interesting because of the double sided entry. Might have to check them out.
2008-10-27 1:53 PM
in reply to: #1768007

New user
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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

Wow, $60 for the Shimano Ultegra pedals !

I saw them on a LBS website here in Toronto for $179.  I guess using Craigs List, or Ebay is the way to go.  Is installation easy?  Am I being a fool buying new from an LBS.  I'd hate to spend $179 when they can be had for so much less.

 Thanks for the feedback.

Where would you spend your money first, prioritizing the following bike add-ons:

a) Aero-bars;  b) new pedals;  c) new wheels (currently using stock WH R500 shimano)



2008-10-27 1:53 PM
in reply to: #1760766

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Regular
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Southern Maryland
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
I've got the Look Keo pedals also. So far so good.
2008-10-27 4:21 PM
in reply to: #1768194

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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
ChiroMike - 2008-10-27 2:53 PM

Wow, $60 for the Shimano Ultegra pedals !

I saw them on a LBS website here in Toronto for $179. I guess using Craigs List, or Ebay is the way to go. Is installation easy? Am I being a fool buying new from an LBS. I'd hate to spend $179 when they can be had for so much less.

Thanks for the feedback.

Where would you spend your money first, prioritizing the following bike add-ons:

a) Aero-bars; b) new pedals; c) new wheels (currently using stock WH R500 shimano)



Your LBS can be an invaluable resource, especially when you're new to this stuff. A lot of their prices come with a person to ask a bunch of questions to and have them walk you through your problems. You have to decide what that's worth for each purchase.

Pedals are easy to replace. Get a pedal wrench and go to town.

From that group, wheels would be dead last, as in wait until next year at the soonest.

I'd probably get pedals first and aerobars a very close second.
2008-10-27 8:25 PM
in reply to: #1768615

New user
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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

Thanks Daniel for the feedback.

Last question: What's the real difference b/w Shimano's Dura-Ace pedal (PD7810), Ultegra (PD6620), 105 (PD5610), and the one just below this (PD-R540).  LBS has the PD-R540 near $79, and the Dura-Ace at $350.  Huge difference, but they look nearly the same.

2008-10-27 8:53 PM
in reply to: #1769305

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Extreme Veteran
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Southeastern Michigan
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
ChiroMike - 2008-10-27 9:25 PM

Thanks Daniel for the feedback.

Last question: What's the real difference b/w Shimano's Dura-Ace pedal (PD7810), Ultegra (PD6620), 105 (PD5610), and the one just below this (PD-R540).  LBS has the PD-R540 near $79, and the Dura-Ace at $350.  Huge difference, but they look nearly the same.

I had my LBS just install the PD-R540 and they DON'T flip to the correct side like they said they would.  I am constantly flipping the pedal over trying to see if it was the wrong side or not.  I paid $80 so I could ask all the crazy questions but could of gotten them brand new from Craigslist for $55.

 

2008-10-28 2:21 AM
in reply to: #1769305

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Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
ChiroMike - 2008-10-27 9:25 PM

Thanks Daniel for the feedback.

Last question: What's the real difference b/w Shimano's Dura-Ace pedal (PD7810), Ultegra (PD6620), 105 (PD5610), and the one just below this (PD-R540). LBS has the PD-R540 near $79, and the Dura-Ace at $350. Huge difference, but they look nearly the same.



I've got the 540 and the Ultegra. They are not even in the same league. The lower end ones don't tend to go heel down when you unclip and you have to play around with them to get them back to where you can clip back in. After a while it's easy but you still have to mess with it.

The Ultegras go heel down as soon as you unclip and stay that way even when peddling with the other foot. I'm not sure I could wear them out as they look like they're built like a tank.

The Dura-Ace are apparently lighter than any of the other ones and they're finished a bit better but those things don't mean much to me at 210-215


2008-10-28 10:57 AM
in reply to: #1769788

New user
17

Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions

Helpful replies.  Thank you.

Looks like I'll spend the extra money to get at least the 105 level pedals.  I don't want a pedal that doesn't sit nicely to allow for easy clip-in.

2008-10-28 12:05 PM
in reply to: #1760766

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Expert
608
500100
St. Louis
Subject: RE: Clipless pedal suggestions
Chainlove. com                got my look Keo Carbon pedals half off.  From 230 or whatever there were to like 120
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