New pedals. Shimano or Look?

G1032

Hi
I've a new road bike ordered and it'll be in in a couple of weeks. I currently have a Trek 7.3 and have pedals similar to these on it.

So I need pedals for the new bike and am looking for opinions
Should I go for Look or Shimano?

Which of these the two pedals below would be best value or which is the better pedal? New bike has full 105 groupset if that matters.

Shimano

or

Look

or can anyone recommend another pair of pedals for about the €50 - €70 range

Thanks

Darkglasses

No big difference that I know of. I'd probably choose Shimano just so it all matches.

colm_gti

Used to use shimano, until I became infected with some weight weenie-ism, now I use look....look pedals are lighter than their shimano equivalents at most price points, if that sort of thing floats your boat.

G1032

colm_gti wrote: »

Used to use shimano, until I became infected with some weight weenie-ism, now I use look....look pedals are lighter than their shimano equivalents at most price points, if that sort of thing floats your boat.

Ah not really. I'm not going to be racing so 100g weight difference or whatever isn't going to put me up or down.
A few guys at work have said they use Look but as Darkglasses said there it might be nice to have it all match up

That seems to be a good price for the 105 pedals? €41.93 with cleats?
Do Evans Cycles charge postage?

laraghrider

Look cleats also wear out at a rate of about 3-1 against their shimmy counterparts.

petethedrummer

G1032 wrote: »

Hi
I've a new road bike ordered and it'll be in in a couple of weeks. I currently have a Trek 7.3 and have pedals similar to these on it.

So I need pedals for the new bike and am looking for opinions
Should I go for Look or Shimano?

You could continue to use the M520's. There is no real reason to switch unless you are going racing.

That said, I do slightly prefer the SPD-SL type over the SPD type even while out training. I seem to perceive a slightly better power transfer but that may be due to my road shoes having a stiffer sole and being a better fit than my MTB shoes.

You will need new shoes if you are changing pedal systems.

G1032

Thanks for the replies lads
Bought the 105's a few minutes ago. For €43 I can't go far wrong and they come boxed with cleats
My shoes will take those cleats too so no need to get a new pair.

Seaneh

Cheap shimano are more adjustable than cheap look, so I prefer shimano at that pricepoint.

Darkglasses

laraghrider wrote: »

Look cleats also wear out at a rate of about 3-1 against their shimmy counterparts.

Really? Wear from walking on them or cycling with them? How much mileage have you gotten out of each?

joxerjohn

I would have recommended the 105's over the entry level SPD SL pedal 540 (i think) as the pedal itself wears better. A club colleague recently changed from shimano to look as he thought it offered a wider platform.

I did not know about the cleat wear difference factor mentioned above any more info would be useful. I find the shimano sl cleats last about a season maybe a little bit more and then need to be replaced.

Lepidoptera

I'm looking into going clipless on my bike now, so this is a handy thread even though you've made your decision already. I'm having difficulty working out all the differences.

People seem to be recommending Shimano over Look, but what about between SPD or SPD SL? (for entry-level)

Darkglasses

Lepidoptera wrote: »

I'm looking into going clipless on my bike now, so this is a handy thread even though you've made your decision already. I'm having difficulty working out all the differences.

People seem to be recommending Shimano over Look, but what about between SPD or SPD SL? (for entry-level)

Go clipless, you'll never regret it!

There's a fair difference between SPD and SPD-SL. SPDs are oriented towards commuting/mtbing, SPD-SL is really just for long-distance roading. SPDs are supposed to be much easier to clip in and out of, and easier to walk around on. Smaller platform and less efficient power transfer than SPD SLs and Look Keos.

Generally speaking I would SPDs are better for beginners, but I think within a few months of use you will want to upgrade to road pedals if you're riding for distance and not just commuting. I did get one then the other, and I don't regret it, but some would be more hesitant about getting something they will want to replace.

I fairly often take beginners out on my spare bike with SPDs, and I think it does make a big difference to their comfort. To clip out you really just have to pull your foot out in any direction other than straight up, with my Looks it has to be straight out to the side or you're not coming out.

countrykid

Look axles aren't the best....
The bearings wear rapidly in my experience...
Shimano seem a lot more durable....including the cleats!!

mamax

I've got spd pedals on both my mountain bike and road bike, never did like the spd-sl

furiousox

I asked the same question here a while ago and someone said "Look pedals are sexier".
They were right.
I did try both though and preferred the Look pedal.
I found it easier to engage/disengage from Looks than the Shimano.