pedal shopping = bleah...

[Miranda]

I've been reading and blabbing about pedals here lately prior to my lbs trip today. Hoping maybe some of you that have used different systems can help.

The short of it is: how much more difficult is it to get in and out of a single sided pedals, like Look Keo red plates 9 degree float, vs SpeedPlays?

I'm looking for a wide platform to aid in some numb foot issues. This pedal has been suggested to me twice now, but the lbs has not had them to try.

I have a ds mtb pedal Shimano M505, multi-release cleat, set very soft, now on my road bike with Sidi Zetas. Definate upgrade from mtb shoes for foot numbness. Plus shop adjusted my cleats back and over. Ds has spoiled me in ways, that's the kicker...

I was all set today to buy the SpeedPlay Zeros, but did a comparison to Light Actions in the trainer first... omg, what a shock. I hear many riders LOVE SpeedPlays, and they are suppose to be easy to get in and out, but gosh... I just wasn't that impressed.

Btw, I do realize ANY change takes time.

The zeros I had to literally stand straight up (full weight) and give a good tromp down to get in. Out was tight too. Those were a "no". The Light Actions went in easier, but I guess I just think tromping your foot straight down over the force of the entire circle was more difficult than "toe in 1st, heel in 2nd"???

I pedaled one side Light Actions, and one my current spds. I felt only slight more float at full 15 degress in the LA, and barely more supported for what was suppose to be a wider platform???

I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to go with a Look Keo to get the support without upgrading shoes again. I think the only way my white Zetas have stayed white is due to not having to "kick it over" with ss pedal. I need float for my old injury knee, hope 9 degrees would cut it. Didn't seem that much of a diff anyways with SP?

After what I read here, I felt like I was out in left field pedal testing today. I don't get it?

[Pedal Wench]

The Zeros take time to loosen up. They're really hard to get into for the first 15 or 20 times, but then the spring loosens up and they're a breeze to use.

[kermit]

I just upgraded to the carbon Keos after SPDs. I considered the Speedplays and everyone I met talked me out of it. I have had knee problems and was told the cleat and platform for the speedplays doesn't support as well as the keos. Also told that too much float like with the speedplays could be a problem. I really love the new keos, nice and light and easy in and out.

[Alex]

I am currently very happy with my Speedplay Zeroes. I really like the infinitely adjustable float. I have one cranky knee and one happy knee and the Zeroes appear to be helping a lot. I've used Look-style pedals on my road bikes for 20 years, and I was using Shimano Ultegras when the knee issue first appeared. I tried the Keos and the knee issue was not helped. Moreover, I had a very hard time getting in and out of the Keos. I felt like the twisting to get out was a very bad thing for my knee.

At first, I was a bit distressed by how difficult it was to get into the Zeroes. However, I read on TE that I should lubricate the springs. I got a Teflon lubricant and religiously lubricated the cleats after every ride. As others have posted, the cleats become much, much easier to get in and out of after a break in period. After so many years of Look-style pedals, it's kind of cool to just stomp down on the pedal without having to to flip it. I do find that it does take almost full-weight to get into the pedals, but that doesn't bother me, now that I'm used to it.

Having said that, I have been told that some people think a Look-style platform is better for knee issues. Of course, others think the SP pedals are the way to go. I was lucky because DH has the Keos, so I didn't have to buy them in order to try them.

Alex

[OakLeaf]

The short of it is: how much more difficult is it to get in and out of a single sided pedals, like Look Keo red plates 9 degree float, vs SpeedPlays?

I've never used a double sided pedal - only Look style pedals. I think that there's probably more of a learning curve for getting into a SS pedal. The main thing is, if you miss on the first try, the pedal will spin, and then it takes some attention to get it stopped and re-oriented so you can get your foot in. Basically, if you miss on the first try, you're probably going to have to look at the pedal.

I find the Keos very easy to get out of (silver cleat, 4.5° float). I tried a set of Eggbeaters at the LBS and I literally could not get out of them.

I have knee alignment issues, and I'm actually thinking that the next pair of cleats I get, I'll go to the old style black cleats (zero float). For me, once I get the cleats in proper alignment, I don't want my knees slopping around with excessive float. All it means is that I'll spend a little longer tweaking the initial cleat placement, but once I get it nailed, my knees won't ever get out of alignment.

In other words, I know my current cleat placement isn't perfect, but because of the float it doesn't stress my knees TOO much. I don't think that's really a good approach to knee health.

Never had a problem with pressure on the bottoms of my feet. I have sometimes had an issue with pressure on the tops of my feet, particularly with my old lace-up shoes. That was another learning curve for me - the only strap that really needs to be tight is the ratchet strap at the ankle; the rest of my foot can slop a little bit and not affect my power.

[VeloVT]

The short of it is: how much more difficult is it to get in and out of a single sided pedals, like Look Keo red plates 9 degree float, vs SpeedPlays?

I think the only way my white Zetas have stayed white is due to not having to "kick it over" with ss pedal. I need float for my old injury knee, hope 9 degrees would cut it.

I think most of the contact getting into a single-sided pedal is actually with the cleat itself, not with the upper of the shoe. I have Ultegra pedals, which are a look-style pedal, and I'm pretty sure I don't actually kick the pedal over with my toe, at least not like you would kick a ball -- it's more like I slide into it as it comes over the top of the rotation, and contact with the cleat actually pushes it over. I have silver Zetas and there is only wear/scuffing on one toe (the left) -- yep, from leaning on it at lights. So I don't think you need to worry about extra shoe wear from one-sided pedals .

As for ease of clipping in/out -- I have never tried Speedplays, but I have eggbeaters on my other bike. The eggbeaters are multi-sided, and I think the clip-in motion is fairly similar to Speedplays -- you just step down onto the pedal. Because this depends on having your foot in just the right place when you clip in (the cleat is quite small), I would not say it is any easier than clipping into a single-sided pedal -- just different. I think people generally overstate the difficulty of using single-sided pedals -- just as your body learns how to clip out automatically, it also will adapt to clipping into any style of pedal with practice.

Oakleaf, I'm surprised you had trouble clipping OUT of the eggbeaters. I have my road pedals set to the loosest tension and they still require much more force to release than my eggbeaters ...

[Aggie_Ama]

I ride Look Keos (with zero float) and have knee issues. Once I got a proper fitting including Aline Insoles (search here to find my thread on them) I have very little knee problems. My knees still swell some if I forget to take an anti-inflammatory but this is from years of abuse (bowling competitively, then running). Even in this case they will be bearable where as I used to cry at the pain when I rode SPD and then before the proper alignment fitting on the Looks.

I have the Keos on the least tension and disengage with the greatest of ease. No twisting, just a firm flick of the ankle. I do not clip out unexpectedly though. The single side is a little tricky but they tend to rest with the side the engage up. Usually one nudge and I am in, often no flicking around.

DH has rode both, switched from Speedplay to Look Keo and found the Speedplay easier to engage but I will caution he is a larger guy and a masher. I have heard smaller/lighter riders have issues with Speedplays. DH does find her is able to sprint better in the Keos.

[NbyNW]

I don't suppose they had Speedplay Frogs for you to try? They're marketed as mtb pedals, but plenty of road riders like them. SUPER easy to get in and out of. Generous float, for those of us with tricky knees.

[boy in a kilt]

Since I went from clips and straps to looks, it was an easier transition. I was used to doing the little pedal kick to get the right side up anyway.

Also, they are a little pickier than other pedals about making sure you put the toe in first. If you don't get the front of the cleat in first, the back will be a pain in the butt.

[Miranda]

Thanks for your helpful responses thus far.

In viewing Looks website for pedals I'm a bit confused. I read the info on the different types of Keos. I'm wondering are some of them easier to get in and out of then ohters? I saw the tech stats for the degree of tension adjustment. I assume the lower number means least amount of tension, and thus engagement/release?

That is good info about the SpeedPlays loosening up with use and lubrication. Gives me some more to think about.

[Miranda]

I have eggbeaters on my other bike. The eggbeaters are multi-sided, and I think the clip-in motion is fairly similar to Speedplays -- you just step down onto the pedal.

Oakleaf, I'm surprised you had trouble clipping OUT of the eggbeaters. I have my road pedals set to the loosest tension and they still require much more force to release than my eggbeaters ...

Wow... That is interesting about the eggbeaters. I was considering that pedal project next for my mtb.

The mtb came with platforms. I put a spd campus pedal on it (one side platform, other spd). The pedal is not weighted like a road ss pedal and doesn't hang down as described here about Looks. Thus, I have to glance down, kick over, etc.

I wasn't doing any real trail riding at the time when I put the campus on. Mainly some gravel road trails with the kids, and neighborhood spin. The pedal is fine is those situations depending on what shoes I want to throw on (regular tennis shoes, mtb shoe, spd Keen sandles--LOVE those puppies).

Well, then I recently found some nice trails truly designed as mtb. Umm, that campus pedal look down thing did NOT work so well... no time to be looking down on tight curves and drops.

Some other mtb folks I know LOVE their eggbeaters for the 4sided entry and no looksy down. But, these folks also love the stomp down SpeedPlays. With the eggbeaters they say you just keep sliding your foot until you hit 1 of the 4 entry spots, and stomp as stated.