What is the best clipless system for road bikes?

Question

I would like to convert my road bike from SPD pedals and MTB shoes to true road pedals and road shoes for 30-60 mile rides. I would like a system that is easy to get in and out of - that is my first priority since I sometimes ride on city streets. I have never ridden anything but SPD's or platform pedals so I want to know the pros and cons of Look, Time, Speedplay, etc.

Answer 1

There's a reason that Look pedals are the most popular road pedals: they work very well and suffer the least amount of drawbacks. They are easily found, easily set up, and the cleat mounting is used by most of the cycling shoes sold. They are easy to use and very reliable. Also, their large platform reduces hotspots in the foot. The newer Keo version is comparative in weight to the lighter pedal systems.

Speedplay is the ultimate racer's pedal but try walking on the cleats and it's scary. If you never walk on your cycling shoes, then Speedplays are the best.

Of the people that I see who fall down at a stoplight because they couldn't unclip, 85% have been on Shimano SPDs. Also hear a lot of complaints about hotspots.

SPD-SL is comparable in performance to Look. This is Shimano's large platform road cleat pedal.

Time and Campagnolo ProFit are not very popular for various reasons.

Answer 2

I've had them all and have converted all my road bikes to Speedplays and Yes I'm a road racer.

+most float if that matters to you
+super easy to get into, way easier then all the others
-as some one said, walking, hey should be riding
-some shoe hole paterns aren't very friendly but there are adapters
+weight, very light, but most pedal systems now days are
+most clearance for cornering, important for crit racing

You know the look, time, and the shimano look style are all nice and work well. But they just aren't quite as nice or as easy as the speedplays. The only real advantage they have is hole placement on the shoes. Not enough to keep me in them.

on a side note
for mtb lose the spd's holy cow Time or crankbrothers are the only way to go. I got rid of my mtb SPD kicking and screaming but it was the best choice ever. As far as the road goes there will be a small difference between systems but for MTB Crankbros and Time are far far superior to spd's did i say far superior, can't say it enough.

Answer 3

You didn't say _why_ you want to change, which might be important.

Anyway, the big factors as I see them are:
- shoe compatibility - I always recommend you buy the shoes you want, then select from the pedals that work with them.
- range of adjustment - nobody ever talks about this, but I have size 11 feet and I have to do surgery on most shoes to get the cleats in the right spot for me.
- range of motion - aka "float" this is a really personal issue, everybody has different prefs.
- ease of clip in / clip out. You'll appreciate this at every stoplight, especially on group rides. I ride Times, the old style, and they are very difficult to clip into (I like them for other reasons).
- walkability - obviously you don't want to duck-walk very far, but the trip to the back of the C-store can be dangerous on a slippery floor.

Me, when I'm doing city riding, I used mtb shoes w/spd's. Why change?

Answer 4

That is a good question. I have always used, and still use, the original SPD system that is now used with everything but road cycling.They have a road specific system out now.But, I like the original system, because I can use it for everything. I have had very few problems with it. Also, several manufacturers are making SPD type pedals and cleats. Because of that, I have had almost NO problems with interchangability.

Answer 5

I personally ride Time Impact pedals that are a few years old, though the new Time RXS pedals are practically identical. I appreciate that the cleats are set up so that you can walk on them without harming the cleat, and the float/release keeps my knees happy.

I know many that are sold on Speedplay pedals, and others that use Shimano road pedals without problem. It's really up to personal preference, but if you want pedals that are EVERYWHERE, easy to use, and easy to find replacement parts for, look at, er, Look pedals.

What's more important than brand name is to get the cleats set up properly. Otherwise, you'll have knee pain and hot spots n your feet, which definitely takes the fun out of it.

Answer 6

Best Clipless Road Pedals

Answer 7

Me personally, I like Campagnolo pedals with NO FLOAT cleats. Look and Time make a very nice pedal as well. For the shoes, I like Adidas and DMT.

Answer 8

speedplay is great - ez in and out top or bottom , step on and your in - good rotating float - never ever pull out - ez out twist. cleats will wear after a few thousand and need to be replaced. the steel spring flattens and it looses its height and you may start to grind into the pedal spindle, but you can just get the metal part for 10 bucks at a good shop..my fave.
look is ok cleat is plastic and also wears in a few thousand miles getting sloppy - only way in is from top, never pulled out...but i broke a cleat once sprinting

Answer 9

crank bros.