Question for Look Riders

[CorsairMac]

I just switched my pedals over to Look pedals to give them a try and I've got a mixed question:

I'm currently using the red cleats (came with the pedals) which I know are the ones with the most float. I've also loosened the tension on the hinge to the absolute loosest I can get them - until I get used to using them.

So here's my ??: I DO have a lot of float which I Don't want. Is it because I'm using the red cleats OR is it because I've got the tension so loose OR is it a combination of both?

Just to be clear: I do NOT want a lot of float so I know I"ll need to switch cleats out, but wasn't sure if the tension on the hinge would create that much float also.

Thanks for the help.

[SadieKate]

Tension should only affect the ease with which you clip in and out, not float.

Yes, you need to change the cleat. Are you using old style Looks or a newer Keo model? I find the Keos easier to clip in and out. Something about 'em, don't know what.

Also, are both the pedals and the cleats new? Old cleats will tend to rock under your foot while float is your heel swinging from side to side (which also changes the clip in/out point). Non-Look brand cleats may also rock a bit even when new.

Just observations from 20 years of using Looks.

[CorsairMac]

That was exactly the answer I was looking for. Thanks SK.

I'm using the older style Looks and it Is the heel that is swinging from side to side. I got the whole system used for $10 just to see if I would like them better than SPDs. So far: I do except for the this one little bitty thing. I'm going to stop by tonight and pick up the black cleats but knowing you've used them for 20 yrs - I've got another question (if it's not too much of a bother?)

Right now I've got the cleats pushed all the way forward and it feels like I"m pedalling on my toes! I'm planning on playing with the position some but I"m just curious - where do your cleats sit that work the best for you??

and have you ever had any problems with your feet? I'm trying the Looks coz the SPDs are killing my feet - I can "feel" the cleat right across the ball of my foot and on my cenutry Sat I knew I couldn't do this anymore. I like that the Looks have a triangular shape to them and the pedal is a cradle shape......am I making any sense? lol


oh - and so far I haven't had any problems with clipping and unclipping or flipping the pedal over to clip in (which I thought would be a bear but it isn't).....But - right now I Do have the tension as loose as I can until I get used to using them.

[SadieKate]

Ah, you're making me engage gray matter today!!!!! Just for you though . . .

In general, the ball of your foot should be over the spindle of the pedal. According to Andy Pruitt, this works well for a men's size 9 foot. Longer feet may want the cleat farther back for stability and shorter feet will want it forward for the leverage. I wear a US women's 6 and run my cleats forward.

Ultra distance riders will frequently move their cleats back to solve hot foot problems because it takes the pressure off the ball of the foot.

Ok, everyone, run, don't walk, to your LBS (Local Book Store) and buy Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists. It has a wealth of info for positioning.

[SadieKate]

Oh yeah, $10 is a great price but don't use someone else's used cleats unless they have very little wear. Worn cleats can cause their own instability problems. And replace yours more frequently than I do.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for your help SK! For making you engage grey matter - you should get 2 peppermint mochas!!! and yes - one of the cleats is pretty scratched up, the other is pristine. I wasn't going to buy replacement cleats until I knew rather or not I was going to like these. I noticed yesterday when I was pricing cleats that they also sell covers for them - looks like they just pop on/off.....do you use covers for yours?

Walking/stopping/standing et al didn't seem any different than in the SPDs but was just curious.................

[SadieKate]

I don't use cleat covers. Yellow does. To each his own. That said, painted cement floors are hell to walk on without them but I've perfected a very nice mincing step and a sharp eye for unattended children careening around.

I don't want to carry anything that isn't critical or will use up food space.

[Kimmyt]

I'm going to stop by tonight and pick up the black cleats

I think the black ones are the ones with 0 degrees float, so just make sure that's what you want. The gray ones are the ones with 4 degrees. Then the red have 9. (I could have gotten this mixed up, but anyway just make sure you are aware that there are 3 colors, not 2 out there).

Also, has anyone had any problems with their cleats coming unscrewed? I wear Shimano shoes and my Look cleats have tried to come off twice now (I've only been riding them for a few months). My LBS said it might be a slight mismatch between the Shimano shoes and the cleats, but that if I just buy some Lock-tite at the hardware store and put it on the screws that should fix it. Anyone else have that problem and any ideas about whether it's normal or not?

K.

[Shimpie]

Yup, I've had a cleat screw come loose. It was the reason I fell over at a red light once. I just could not get my foot out of the pedal and TIMBER, I went down in slow motion. Luckily there weren't any cars nearby.

I ride with Shimano shoes and Time pedals. Maybe it's a Shimano thing. Love the Shimano shoes though. Loctite should do the trick.

[betagirl]

Looks like you have your answers, but I'll add my $.02. I have 2 types of Look pedals, A5.1's and PP357's. The PP357's are much easier to clip in/out of than the A5.1's, which are really tight. They have the little dial thingy to adjust the tension, but even at the lowest level they're still stiffer than the 357s which have no dial but a little bolt you can move if you want. I use the red cleats also because for me I'd rather have some float than none with the black ones. But I have bad knees.

I do use the cleat covers, which are very easy to get on and off. I use them more for not wiping out than saving the cleats. But they are good to not get mud or other stuff in there also.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for the heads up kimmy - I did know there were three colours and I knew when I got these with the red cleats that they had the most float but for $10 and the desire to "just see if I liked them on my feet" it was a place to start. REI only carries the red ones and the black ones and since I hate having float, my plan was to buy the black ones if I liked them! Which so far I do!
I have Specialized shoes and since I just put them on last night I can't tell you about coming unscrewed! but it's a good thing for me to keep in mind. Thanks for mentioning that.

Once again this board rocks! I knew I could get all my answers right here! thanks everyone for all your help/answers/suggestion! Time to go play some more with my new-to-me pedals!

[SadieKate]

Do the old style Looks have gray cleats or only red and black? I don't remember. I only use red for both the Keos and the older model.

When everyone runs to the store for Andy Pruitt's book, stop by the hardware store for blue Loctite.

[Ninabike]

I use Keo's with grey cleats. The small amount of float also helps when clipping out.

[bikerz]

I've been using the red Looks (thanks again, SK!) and I like them more than my SPDs - hot foot is definitely diminished. I still have a little trouble clipping in, and often need to look down (is that how they got their name? ) in order to get clipped properly. Hopefully that will improve in time - and I'm very happy with them so far!

[dachshund]

I have a question about adjusting this type of pedal. I have the Shimano look-style. I think the model is R6610, whatever the new model is.

Is there any risk of adjusting the tension too loose and having the allen screw fall out? I thought I read this somewhere, and that it's a bear to get back in.

Thanks,
Amy