General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals? Rss Feed  
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2010-12-23 1:33 PM

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Subject: Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals?
This is a real newbie question, and I'm thinking the answer is "no".

I have Shimano SL pedals on my tri bike, and I recently purchased an older road bike (2000 Allez) that already has LOOK pedals on it.  My SL cleats lock in, and work pretty good.. but they're very wiggly at the back.  Too wiggly to do any serious riding on.

The reason I ask is because I'm trying to figure out if these pedals may be bad, or if they just require a different cleat.  I already adjusted the tension, and that wasn't the issue.  Looking online its hard to tell a difference between SL and LOOK cleats.  I'm about 90% sure they aren't compatible, but I just want someone to back me up before I drop the money on cleats.

Thanks!!

Edited by JonathanRohr 2010-12-23 1:33 PM


2010-12-23 2:14 PM
in reply to: #3259466

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Subject: RE: Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals?
You're correct: They aren't the same

You're better off replacing 1 set of pedals and keeping 1 set of cleats and shoes for both bikes. Swapping cleats on a pair of shoes to ride Bike A instead of Bike B is a bad idea as positioning the cleats is part of the bike fit process (or should be).
2010-12-23 3:09 PM
in reply to: #3259466

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Subject: RE: Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals?
Change out one of your sets of pedals so they're both the same and make sure to use the cleats for the pedals you have chosen.

Then sell off your off-brand pedals and recoup part of the price for the new set.
2010-12-23 4:22 PM
in reply to: #3259466

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Subject: RE: Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals?
Shimano SLs started out as LOOK copies - Shimano licensed the technology from the LOOK company.  But things tend to diverge and change over time.

I think what you're really asking is "can I use my current Shimano SL cleats in a 10 year old LOOK pedal", and that may be hard to answer.  LOOK has had at least a couple different types of pedals and cleats with small differences.  I recall buying the wrong LOOK cleats once and had to return them - I bought black ones, and I needed red ones.   The there was LOOK "Keo' pedals, which I don't know the difference.   Perhaps someone else does.

Your best bet may be find someone with LOOK cleats and see if they just fit, rather than buy a set yourself.  Maybe your LBS can help.
2010-12-24 8:06 AM
in reply to: #3259466

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Subject: RE: Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals?
No, they are not compatible. Cleats should be considered a wear part and replaced about once a year (depending on milage, but more importantly, wear... if you have to unclip often, obviously the cleat will wear more, if you walk in the them without cleat covers, they will wear quicker and so on). A worn cleat can result in unintentional unclipping, which often results in a crash... With the fairly low price of a set of cleats, replacing them a bit more often isn't the end of the world...
2010-12-24 9:19 AM
in reply to: #3259716

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Subject: RE: Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals?
brucemorgan - 2010-12-23 5:22 PM  I recall buying the wrong LOOK cleats once and had to return them - I bought black ones, and I needed red ones.   The there was LOOK "Keo' pedals, which I don't know the difference.   Perhaps someone else does.

Your best bet may be find someone with LOOK cleats and see if they just fit, rather than buy a set yourself.  Maybe your LBS can help.


The different colors for Look Cleats have to do with degrees of float and not what pedal they work with.   Red is 9 degrees, Grey is 4.5 and black is 0 (or fixed).

Look KEO cleats only fit Look KEO pedals.  If you have the older style Look pedal, you need different cleats.  This will not work with Shimano pedals either.

If you post a picture of your pedals, someone can tell you what they are and what cleats.  Your LBS can do this also.



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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do Shimano SL Pedals = LOOK Pedals? Rss Feed