General Discussion Triathlon Talk » speedplay vs. look vs. spd Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-09-20 5:38 PM

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
What are the benefits/drawbacks of each pedal system?


2008-09-20 6:36 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Champion
7821
50002000500100100100
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
This isn't scientific at all: I recently switched to Look from SPD. I didn't dislike the SPD's, but I find the Looks much easier to clip into, and I also like the larger pedal surface. The SPD's felt like I was pushing on a tiny little platform, while the looks feel much sturdier and like I'm pushing with the entire ball of my foot.
2008-09-20 6:41 PM
in reply to: #1686053

Expert
1030
100025
Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
Thanks, that's what I was thinking which is why I don't understand why so many of the top cyclists seem to use speedplays. They just seem so small.
2008-09-20 10:04 PM
in reply to: #1686053

Extreme Veteran
505
500
Lakeland, FL
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

the bad thing about look pedals is the plastic cleat.  If u walk on your shoes at all they wear out.  Speedplays have metal that don't wear out i think

2008-09-20 10:17 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Champion
5850
50005001001001002525
Michigan
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

Speedplays still wear out.  I had speed plays first. Liked them in the beginning. After a few months it was increasingly more difficult to get into the pedals as well as out of them. I switched to LOOK Keos and LOVE them. Have had them more than a year and I run on my shoes to the bike portion, (I flying dismount off) and have not had to replace the plastic cleats yet. And I agree with JMK  up there. I feel like I've a bigger surface area to push off.

That being said I have friends that swear by the speedplays. So, I guess I've not helped at all....

 Good luck!!



Edited by trixie 2008-09-20 10:18 PM
2008-09-20 10:29 PM
in reply to: #1686358

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

All of the cleats wear out, and all the pedals need to be serviced in some manner.

Having used all three styles I personally prefer the Speedplay for their ease of clipping, dual sided entry, light weight and cornering clearance.  And my knees aren't getting any younger.

Downside to them?  The cleats gunk up easy if you have to go through any sort of soft surface which then makes it hard to clip in.



2008-09-20 11:09 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Master
2033
200025
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I use Look on my road bile and SPD on my MTN bike. I think the look are a bit easier to get into and I prefer the larger platform.
2008-09-20 11:29 PM
in reply to: #1686392

User image

Champion
8540
50002000100050025
the colony texas
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

sorry for the hijack,, but what about the float on speedplays makes it easier on the knees,, is it that there is less tourqe on the joint..??  I have shimano's and some days my knee is a bit sore after riding.. 

hijack off

2008-09-21 3:40 AM
in reply to: #1686407

User image

Master
1718
1000500100100
Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

The Look pedals have float too.  You can either get 4.5° float (black cleat) or 9° float (red cleat).

I use Look Keo pedals and have never had any problems with them.  I replace the cleats about once a year.

2008-09-21 4:02 AM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

SC
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I use Look Keo and love them. But my next pedal choice may be the Time RXS after some of the reviews I've read.
2008-09-21 6:29 AM
in reply to: #1686053

Regular
53
2525
The trail capital of Canada
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
The biggest dfference I can see is that you can run safely in SPD cleats (provided you have MTN biking shoes) where I've never been able to run flat out in road shoes with out thinking that I'm on the verge of a major fall!


2008-09-21 6:32 AM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

Most pedals have float to them available now.  It does allow your natural body movement which puts less stress on your joints.

It is really not that big of an issue if you have your cleats correctly set up.  But the odds of someone doing that on their own that doesn't have knowledge of fitting really diminishes that possibility.  Even having them set up a few mm's in the wrong direction can lead to excercise induced injuries.

The Speedplays (X series) have unlimited float.  The Zero series has a limited amount.

2008-09-21 8:25 AM
in reply to: #1686123

User image

Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
mscotthall - 2008-09-20 6:41 PM

Thanks, that's what I was thinking which is why I don't understand why so many of the top cyclists seem to use speedplays. They just seem so small.


Not sure why they use them, but I use them because I like float on my pedal and they are so easy to get in/out of. But I have to say though, the Speedplays where you adjust the float are harder to get in/out of though. I have the ones where you can't adjust the float.

2008-09-21 9:28 AM
in reply to: #1686582

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

The pedals are small, but the cleat is large as well as the contact area.

This actually give you larger surface area to transmit your power and also avoids "hotspots" that some cleats seem to generate on your feet.

And the pros ride them usually because the team is sponsored.



Edited by Daremo 2008-09-21 9:29 AM
2008-09-21 3:43 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Extreme Veteran
909
500100100100100
Westchester, NY
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I use speedplay on both my roadie and my tri bike.. I love these pedals.. they are very easy to get and get out of .. No looking down, or having to make sure 'the right side is up' ..

granted, they occasionally get gummed up with dirt, but a toothbrush takes care of that ..
2008-09-22 2:15 PM
in reply to: #1686491

User image

Regular
96
252525
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
tridantri - 2008-09-21 3:40 AM

The Look pedals have float too.  You can either get 4.5° float (black cleat) or 9° float (red cleat).

I use Look Keo pedals and have never had any problems with them.  I replace the cleats about once a year.



Actually, the black cleats have no float, the grey ones have 4.5 degrees and the red ones have 9 degrees. I prefer the grey myself, but sometimes they are harder to find.


2008-09-22 3:06 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Colorado
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I had some SPD pedals on my bike at first (bought it used) and kept getting a sore right ankle after foot surgery.  My PT had me bring my bike in and after watching me pedal, tried some adjustments that didn't help and ended up suggesting the Speedplays to me.  I bought them and it made a huge difference.  My ankle didn't get inflamed after short rides.  It's pretty much healed now, and I may be fine with other pedals, but I've never had a problem with the Speedplays and plan to stick with them.
2008-09-22 3:10 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Expert
1240
100010010025
Columbia, MO
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

If you have anything resembling hills in your area stay the heck away from Speedplay Light Actions.  15 degrees of non-adjustable float is not good when you're standing in the saddle trying to climb a big hill.  I've had my heels darn near in my spokes....

 

I switched to the LOOK KEO and will not try anything else, I love them. 

2008-09-22 3:11 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I didn't like SPD's because of the limited shoe choice for tri shoes and the small pedal surface.  I haven't used speedplays.  I wish the LOOK's had double sided entry, or at least wouldn't flop to an unusable position when you unclip at stops.  But definitely prefer the LOOKs by more than a little bit.


Edited by Sprint_DA 2008-09-22 3:12 PM
2008-09-22 3:42 PM
in reply to: #1686053

Expert
1233
100010010025
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I had Look but took them off my tri bike and put them on the road bike. The Look A5was actually a better pedal (but heavier), even though my SPD pedal is Dura Ace. The reason was the cleat surface. After a few times of slipping on the asphalt at the dismount line (I am one of the old fashion types that unclip my shoes from the pedals) as soon as the cleat hit the road, I couldn't stand it (or stand). The SPD cleats have small rubber pads on the outer edges, not much, but enough to allow you to unclip and not slip on the asphalt, also allows you to run from and to the bike rack in transition. If the Look cleats had this feature, I probably would not have switched.

2008-09-22 5:07 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Veteran
134
10025
Lakewood, CA
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
<style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

I had Look cleats at first and liked them but, the cleats broke often.  In fact a training partner dubbed me the cleat killer.  I broke the tip off of 4 cleats in less than a month. I switched to Speedplay zeros and have not broke a cleat since.  I also have grown to love the Speedplay cleats.  They were hard to get used to at first because of the different technique to clip in and out.  However, after I got used to them I have found that it is easier to clip in an out.  Clipping out is easier and much faster because of the motion.  I have yet to fall from not clipping out fast enough even during emergency stops.  They are also easier to clip in because they clip on both sides of the peddle with a little twist and downward pressure your in.  I do not have to look down and kick the peddle over to clip in like you do with the Looks.  The float is about the same on both, but you do not have to buy a different cleat on the Speedplays like you do on the Looks.  Even though the Speedplay peddle is smaller than the Looks peddle there is more shoe surface area covered on the cleat and it feels better to me.  The only down side with the Speedplays is that they require more maintenance.  You need to lubricate the cleat with dry lube after every ride (it makes it easer to clip in) and grease the peddles spindles every 5K miles. 



2008-09-22 5:15 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

Offering another voice, I've used SPD -SL cleats (like Look cleats but different than SPD) for the last almost 10,000 miles.  Plenty of float.  I've replaced the cleats twice, getting ready to do my third.  Easy to get into and out of and never had any problems with them.  Never had issues running through transition with them on, or walking around the coffee shop before or after rides.  And the ultegra pedals are weighted so that they are in the right position when starting from a stop.

Something maybe not mentioned is the SPD-SL and Look cleats have a bigger platform than the SPD/Speedplay cleats.  I have read (but not experienced) that if you don't have carbon soled cycling shoes, the smaller contact area may result in hot spots on long rides if you have larger feet. 



Edited by ChrisM 2008-09-22 5:16 PM
2008-09-22 5:49 PM
in reply to: #1688862

User image

Expert
934
50010010010010025
FL
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd
I started with Time RXE and switched to Speedplay Zero.  I like Speedplay much better.  The Speedplays are slippering when new but I don't think they are anymore since they are all scuffed up now.  I do find that when I oil them, they are easier to clip into.  I like the free float (no spring back to center) of the speed play.  The Time RXE had float but it always pushed back to center with a spring.
2008-09-22 6:10 PM
in reply to: #1686053

User image

Master
2073
20002525
The Redlands, FL
Subject: RE: speedplay vs. look vs. spd

I used to ride with SPD for many years....till....my ball of my left foot started to bother me and I decided to change them....and....I just got the SPD-SL (PD-R540)....I love them...They works great for me....no more problem with my left ball....and...I can run with the new cleats without problem...

Here is a pic...

SPD-SL Pedal <b></b>(PD-R540<b></b>)

 



Edited by velorider62 2008-09-22 6:13 PM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » speedplay vs. look vs. spd Rss Feed