I am currently running Ultegra SPD road pedals on both my bikes. They are the older model with the black plastic inserts. I have never used any other pedal. I am considering replacing them with a set of Look Keo’s. Can anyone tell me how this experiment is going to turn out before I go through the trouble? Is it simply a matter of personal preference? Are there any substantial differences? I have read here that Look Keo’s are going to squeak. Has that been your experience?

Pedals and shoes, are the most personal things you can buy. They always go with you.

My Keo Ti don't squeak. I don't know why they would. But then again I haven't put many miles on them yet since there's still snow on the ground and it's still winter.

Ultegras are fine, Keos are fine, Nashbars are fine.

If you're switching just the for the hell of it it might be more trouble than its worth.

Keo were developped partly to fix the squeaking of certain Look Delta (A5.1, 396, 296,etc) pedals. I have no experience on Keo tho, but from what I have read, no squeaking.

Look Delta on the other hand... I have had some squeaking. Some fix is to wax/lube the cleat (pledge works too) or to use the newer Teflon-tipped cleats.

As Cleaves said, any pedal system are fine. Ebay is a great and cheap way to find out what pedal system you like.

I've gone through about 4 or 5 Look pedals in the past nine years. Just about everyone of them had bearing problems. The only set that withstood the test of time was the discontinued PP247's. I bought these in 1999, the first upgrade for my old Klein. I still use them on my old bike. I have a set on the older model PP206's that I bought last year and I like them the best so far. I had a clicking noise on my new bike that I could not solve and it turned out to be the right pedal. The screw for the tension setting is stripped. And these pedals are only 7 months old. I noticed it when I went to adjust the tension screw when I mounted new cleats. Can't remember the last time I messed with it otherwise.

As far as squeaking- Look changed their design years ago to a teflon coated cleat. No squeaks.

I like to stick with stuff that works. Look has not worked for me. The new Keo pedals might be fine, but I think I'm going with Shimano the next time around.

As other posters have pointed out, it was the old style LOOK cleat that squeaked. Thankfully, the Keo cleat does not squeak. I have found, however, when the cleat is worn and ready for replacement, it begins to slip a bit vertically in the pedal. This not only creates a noticeable gap in the pedalstroke, it makes a click sound as the cleat reseats itself in the mechanism . . . For the day or two it takes me to replace the cleats, it drives me crazy!

Has anyone else noticed this?

I am currently running Ultegra SPD road pedals on both my bikes. They are the older model with the black plastic inserts. I have never used any other pedal. I am considering replacing them with a set of Look Keo’s.

Do you mean you currently have the older PD-6610 Ultegra SPD-SL?

Why do you want to change?

I've been riding for 30 years and only changed pedal systems twice. From cleats to Look Delta and finally from those to SPD-SL. If you don't have any good reason to change systems, I recommend leaving well enough alone. Changes in cleat stack height and alignment go easy for some people, but for others cause foot, ankle, knee or even hip pain.

If you think the plastic bit will wear out, get 6620s and if you think the bearings will wear out or what you have is too heavy, get 7810s.

i was riding Look A3.1 pedals for about 4 years. I just switched over to the Keo and love them. They are just as easy to get in and out of and have a lower clearance for when you have to dive into the corners of a crit. I think they are also lighter than the Ultegras (my bike shop actually put both on a gram scale and showed me the differential).

if you like pulling out at dire times, get the shimano pedals. I have almost crashed because of that issue, and my friend crashed in front of me nearly taking me out becuase his pedal pulled out.

Ah - someone making a generalisation because of a bad experience they had, most likely caused by user error.

Looks are fine, ultegras are fine, time are fine, speedplay are fine.

Go with whatever floats your boat, they all work. One difference however, some are easier to locate in than others. Personally i find shimano or look better for this, time need a bit more care. (no experience with speedplay). It might not be an issue if you aren't riding around a town much.

I own one set of the teflon inserted Look Delta cleats. It seems to me in short time after they came out Look switched the system to Keo. Where did the teflon Delta cleats go? I have not searched for them but are they readily available in the Delta model? Where to find? I just bought 2 sets of the Nashbar Delta compatable pedals cheap and noticed that my old regular delta cleats were at about the 50% worn stage so I switched them out with the cleats that came with the new pedals. I'm thinking in the future I want the teflon model cleats.

4,000 miles on Keo Classics with no squeeks.

Check out the weight vs. price. I found the Classics to be an outstanding value ($58 at ProBikeKit, shipped)

The Red delta teflon cleats are readily available online, excel sports has them for about $20 plus shipping and you see them on ebay all the time. I've used Look pedals since they first came out and the best thing you can do to prolong cleat life is to use the covers whenever you get off the bike. I have them on all my shoes and taking them off and stowing in a jersey pocket is the last thing I do before getting on the bike.

I just bought some Look Keo carbon. My first impression is how easy the enter and exit is. No squeaks yet, but I have only had them a week or so. The LBS said to prolong cleat life make sure to carry the covers for the occasional off bike venture.

Shimano SPD-SL! No doubt! If you can get the DA 7810 pedals go for it. They're about 165 on ebay these days. If not the Ultegra 6620 will do you fine too.

Best pedals on the market. Great bearings. Look bearings are shiite!

2k on keo carbons and no problems at all, looks are lighter than shimano but the new shimano's do have a wider pedal body

if you like pulling out at dire times, get the shimano pedals. I have almost crashed because of that issue, and my friend crashed in front of me nearly taking me out becuase his pedal pulled out.

I've never had any issues with that on the 7810 or the 6610. Are you on the current design? How much tension you running?

Basically the same pedals and the Keo now has walkable cleats.

if you want silver/polished go Shimano. You want Carbon or Composite, then LOOK.

Also if you have a Campy bike, then go Keo :p

Both are EXCELLENT pedals. I have used both. I prefer the Keo. I can get in these a bit easier without looking than the Shimanos.

I have two sets of Keo Carbons, and have ridden them now for two years, 3-4k miles.

These pedals are great: light and secure (I'm 6'4" and well over 200lbs), and the bearings are great. The only time I've ever had a squeek is when I ride the cleats well past their useful life (there are wear indicators on the cleats). Pop on new cleats--no more squeeks . . ..

Consider getting spare cleats that come with the cleat covers (e.g., for coffee stops)--great/cheap way to extend the life of yoru cleats and avoid a slip/fall.

I bought Look Keos last year. They seem the same as the other Looks to me, although there are a couple of differences. The new Keo cleats are EXTREMELY slippery to walk on, and if you do walk on them, they wear very quickly. I never used cleat covers before, but I do now. If you buy these, get the cleat covers right away. You'll need them. The other difference is the old style Look cleats used to squeak. This is a common complaint. The new ones are silent. Nice.

I've ridden my Keos for over a year and haven't had any problems yet. They seem to hold up pretty well even after a few wet weather rides. Previously, I had the CX-6. The distance from the Keo cleat to the pedal axis is closer and I had to drop the seat down about 1cm.