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Question by t3tsuo: What’s the difference between SPD-SL and Look pedals?
What would be the advantage of one over the other?
Which one do YOU use, and why?
Are Look cleats compatable with SPD-SL pedals?
I also heard Look Keo are not compatable with older Look models?

Sorry for firing all those questions at once. I am looking for my first pairs of clipless pedals and road shoes and I want to have as much info as possible. Thanks.
Thanks Mr G, phoster and McG for your answers. They’re very helpful.

Another question though: Regarding Look pedals, would you recommend sticking with the Look brand? What about other brands that are compatible?

BTW, I am thinking of buying Shimano SH-R075. They seem to be good-enough entry-level shoes.

Best answer:

Answer by onlyme Mr G
SPD-SL cleats and pedals are copies of LOOK ( It tends to be a Japanese trait to copy and innovate!)

They are both three bolt cleats and fit the same shoes, (although technically, LOOK has a small arc on their cleats and recommend their own shoes- in reality it’s ok not too!)

I actually use LOOK KEO as I think the overall set up looks tidier and I use them with Shimano RO99 shoes! also LOOK cleats can be changed to a different type, to accommodate a number of degrees of ‘float’ in the pedal (useful if you have dodgy knees).

It’s all about choice!

EDIT: nearly forgot! – yes the Keo type cleats have a slightly smaller cleat than the old Deltas,- keep to the Keo though!
btw Keos are marginally lighter than SPD-SL’s too!

EDIT: McG – I commute on SPD’s and you are right, – a road cleat is harder to engage, but out and about on a run, we tend to ‘unclip’ less than MTBers or commuters!

Good choice of shoes (RO99) btw. – I will let you into a secret, I have a size bigger than needed and I insert those ‘cut-to-fit’ comfy insoles!, I never have problems anymore with aching feet!

EDIT: Looks are certainly well tried and trusted but another pedal that seems to begaining favour in the Pro-Peleton is the Speedplay series, take a look:

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.zero

(I wouldn’t pay for the Titanium though !) – I am considering trying them at some point, but I am sticking with LOOK for the meanwhile!

For now though, I recommend you stick with LOOK KEO’s or SPD-SL’s whatever you like the look of – All decent Road Pedals use a three bolt cleat and therefore the same shoe, so it’s worthwhile experimenting in the future!

Best of luck.

.

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3 Responses to “What’s the difference between SPD-SL and Look pedals?”

1. phoster says:

   September 19, 2010 at 5:22 pm

   all three you mention are about the same, only very small differences. the older looks/shimano have a few draw backs that the Keo was designed to adress. one problem is they tend to squeak. the older looks/shimano wanted to creak and you sometimes had to coat them with soap, silicon or something so they wouldnt. also the keo is designed to use a smaller pedal and cleat, so they wont interchange. my bike is old as the hills, like me, so i have a set of the old looks. yes, they sometimes squeak after gettting wet. in fact one of my friends switched to time for that very reason. i guess i’m to cheap for time. look has served me well, and i tend to stay with what works for me.

   Reply
2. McG says:

   September 19, 2010 at 6:07 pm

   I have the Shimano because of the Ultegra need. My pedals are the new slim Ultegra’s. I have no creak, squeak or other oddity noises coming from my cleats or pedals. Like Mr.G, I surround my feet in Shimano RO99 shoes. I have SPD’s on my Hybrid and one other road bike, and the SPD-SL’s seem to feel much better especially in a climb. I still think they are somewhat difficult to engage, but that may be because of my riding on SPD’s some of the time.

   Edit: Mr. G quit ripping off my original ideas. I have the insoles (Dr. Sholls gel) in all my shoes. Don’t make me get a cease and desist order against you for idea infringement.
   LOL!

   Reply
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