Look Cleats

antomagoo

has anyone any advice on what type of cleats to use with Look Keo pedals, black, grey or red. I'm aware of the of the different degree of float that each allow. Is it just down to personal preference or can it have a significant impact on how you cycle?

Planet X

Just colour I reckon?

But you can save a few grams by going for the top of the range Look pedals, carbon/ Tit. etc.
And shrink your wedge.

Conventional wisdom is that zero float can be bad for your knees. Loads of float means you have to twist your foot further to disengage. Other than the float and the colour the different cleats are pretty much identical. So to answer your question: yes it's down to personal preference.

The tax man

Planet X wrote: »

Just colour I reckon?

But you can save a few grams by going for the top of the range Look pedals, carbon/ Tit. etc.
And shrink your wedge.

Not so Planet X. Black have 0 degree float,grey 4.5 and red 9. I've dumped the grey and gone back to the red with my knee issues and so far so good.(oh and the excellent physio sessions also helped)

@antomagoo I've a set of grey cleats you're welcome to if you want to get a feel for the float they offer.

Planet X

Apologies.
Didn't know that.

ednwireland

The tax man wrote: »

Not so Planet X. Black have 0 degree float,grey 4.5 and red 9. I've dumped the grey and gone back to the red with my knee issues and so far so good.(oh and the excellent physio sessions also helped)

@antomagoo I've a set of grey cleats you're welcome to if you want to get a feel for the float they offer.

same as used grey now back to red after physio slowly getting knee tendons back to normal (shoulda know better after 20 years of red cleats)

Mosiki

I used grey all last year and was happy enough with them, however, I changed to red last month and definitely prefer the extra manoeuvrability. Red for me.

doozerie

Red for me too. With my first pair of Look pedals I opted for the red cleats just to try them out, and to play safe with my knees, and I've never had any desire to change away from them in the nearly 20 years since. If in doubt, starting with red is the safest bet I think, although with grey being available these days they might well be a safe enough middle ground if you have no reason to worry about the state of your knees. Personally I wouldn't start with the black cleats.

To get some idea of whether you may need float, before making your cleat choice, next time you are riding try to gauge whether your feet change position on the pedals as you pedal. It can be hard to detect though, might help to have someone cycling behind you to watch your pedaling motion.

antomagoo

cheers for the replies.

Using grey at the moment so cheers Tax Man but reckon I'll go for the red

keenan110

I have grey ones at the moment and have had no problems with them, but i'll probably replace them with red ones when they're worn out just to try them out.

100Suns

antomagoo wrote: »

has anyone any advice on what type of cleats to use with Look Keo pedals, black, grey or red. I'm aware of the of the different degree of float that each allow. Is it just down to personal preference or can it have a significant impact on how you cycle?

Depends on what you're wearing them for. If commuting into town or getting used to cleats red are best for emergency situations! If your knees are dodgy stick with the red. If you race and the knees are holding up go black and tighten the pedals to the max-minimises loss of power in the transmission particularly at max effort.

horizon26

I switched from shimano to look,and I like the look pedals a lot.I have the grey cleats not much float,will go red starting tomorrow.Look cleats are very soft indeed only weekness the keo system has shame.

TheDocMan

Just to add to the cleat debate; Shimano cleat movement also vary depending on colour used. Yellow equals 7 Degrees movement while Red shimano equals 0 (zero) movement.

Zorba

Hmmm i use and love the black cleats, like the feel of my feet locked into the same position, never had any knee problems so far

IM0

Zorba wrote: »

Hmmm i use and love the black cleats, like the feel of my feet locked into the same position, never had any knee problems so far

yes many do, OP start off with red to get an idea of what your knees can take, and then once you dial it in switch to grey or black even. Also the red ones are a b*stard for rubbing cranks during v hard efforts and/or when tired Im on red (have been for..8 years or so) keep meaning to change to black..one day!

Lumen

me@ucd wrote: »

Also the red ones are a b*stard for rubbing cranks during v hard efforts and/or when tired

I think scuffed cranks are cheaper to replace than knees.

100Suns

The other decision making factor on the black cleats is that if the armco doesn't stop you chances are the bike is coming with you. So if you're planning on passing on the bike or using it to cover your funeral expenses stay with the red

dave2pvd

me@ucd wrote: »

yes many do, OP start off with red to get an idea of what your knees can take, and then once you dial it in switch to grey or black even.

Me: red --> gray --> black.

I really like the black cleats. They give a much more 'connected' feeling. I believe they are also helping my knees track a little straighter on the down-stroke. More efficient? Maybe.

IM0

dave2pvd wrote: »

Me: red --> gray --> black.

I really like the black cleats. They give a much more 'connected' feeling. I believe they are also helping my knees track a little straighter on the down-stroke. More efficient? Maybe.

Exactly, like everything its about how you use it, give two men a chisel and a lump of marble, and with one you might get a pile of boken marble, and the other a nice sculpture!

Zorba

me@ucd wrote: »

yes many do, OP start off with red to get an idea of what your knees can take, and then once you dial it in switch to grey or black even. Also the red ones are a b*stard for rubbing cranks during v hard efforts and/or when tired Im on red (have been for..8 years or so) keep meaning to change to black..one day!

Yes i originally started on grey cleats and i'd recommend everyone do the same, i then tried black cleats didn't like them at first went back to grey and couldn't stand the movement after using the black ones so black ones went back on, took a little adjustment though to make sure the were lined up correctly for my knees.

72hundred

Thinking of swapping over from SPD's to Look Keo's soon... I guess a middle ground of grey would be the best option (moving to red if problems)!

Zorba

72hundred wrote: »

Thinking of swapping over from SPD's to Look Keo's soon... I guess a middle ground of grey would be the best option (moving to red if problems)!

Yes i'd try the grey first 4.5 degrees of float should be enough, think most of the Keo's come with grey cleats anyway, i could be wrong though !

SurferDude41

Lumen wrote: »

I think scuffed cranks are cheaper to replace than knees.

Hi All
If you are scuffing your crank arms, Chances you have an overpronation issue. This can be addressed with cleat wedges, Or using Specalized foot beds, only €30

Or your Q-factor is too low, Pedals too close together. Lance uses 1.5 mm washers, mounted between pedals and cranks. These spread his feet wider apart. This gives perfect alignment, of feet knees and hips.

The new Look Keo Max2 pedals feature a longer threaded portion, so if you have broad hips. You can install some washers.

Hope this helps.

Happy cycling:)

ROK ON

I have only used grey, and find that they have way to much float. I like less float but dont like the idea of zero flooat, is there a compromise?

ROK ON

SurferDude41 wrote: »

Hi All
If you are scuffing your crank arms, Chances you have an overpronation issue. This can be addressed with cleat wedges, Or using Specalized foot beds, only €30

Or your shoes are wide fitting. I have one very wide pair of shoes (Northwave) and they touch off crank arms, but my Sidis and Specialized shoes dont.

Zorba

ROK ON wrote: »

I have only used grey, and find that they have way to much float. I like less float but dont like the idea of zero flooat, is there a compromise?

Buy black cleats and file a little bit off them to give u a little float ?

keano007

Can anyone tell me if I want to use look cleats do I also need to change my pedals, I'm using some sort of shimano at the moment I think?

cython

keano007 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if I want to use look cleats do I also need to change my pedals, I'm using some sort of shimano at the moment I think?

Yes, you will need new pedals, but any set of pedals you buy should come with a set of cleats, at least if you buy them new. Look Keos generally come with the cleats that have the medium amount of float, so to speak, I think 4.5 degrees, and grey is the colour?

keano007

Any suggestions?

DirkVoodoo

Look Keo Classics are nice and cheap, however I think that the Keo 2 Max are worth the extra price. They have a wider platform reminiscent of the SPD-SL design and I find them more comfortable.

I still think SPD-SL is the best pedal system.

My honest advice would be buy a set of classics and see how you like them, if not sell them on and buy an entry level set of SPD-SL, then Times, etc. until you find one that works for you. Then you can worry about buying a more expensive set further down the line. It would be reasonably expensive but contact points (saddle, bars, pedals) are all very personal and what works for one guy might not suit another.

keano007

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Look Keo Classics are nice and cheap, however I think that the Keo 2 Max are worth the extra price. They have a wider platform reminiscent of the SPD-SL design and I find them more comfortable.

I still think SPD-SL is the best pedal system.

My honest advice would be buy a set of classics and see how you like them, if not sell them on and buy an entry level set of SPD-SL, then Times, etc. until you find one that works for you. Then you can worry about buying a more expensive set further down the line. It would be reasonably expensive but contact points (saddle, bars, pedals) are all very personal and what works for one guy might not suit another.

Thanks dirk!

ednwireland

i have a set of keo max 2 and cant get on with them, must be my old decrepid knees, went back to my keo classics (but i have very dodgy knees)

70 euro to you 35km on them

Lumen

I had another Time pedal break this morning (specifically, the front hooky section partially broke off).

I like the float and Q-factor choice of the Times, but maybe SPD-SLs combined with washers would be a more reliable solution.

Dr_Colossus

Any know if you can buy single Look cleats anywhere? I bought a new set of grey cleats a few weeks ago but seem to have lost one of them, can't find it anywhere. Bit annoyed with myself if I have to go buy another set when I've one perfectly good and new cleat at hand.