I've had some $35 Nashbar clipless pedals (Look style) for about 1 year now. I like the wide base, but I'm having a heck of a time getting out of one of them lately, and playing with the float doesn't help.

I'm thinking that I would benefit from buying better quality pedals, but don't want to make a mistake.

Any recommendations out there for a budget of $75-$150?

have you considered getting new cleats? that's probably what your problem is.

I've had some $35 Nashbar clipless pedals (Look style) for about 1 year now. I like the wide base, but I'm having a heck of a time getting out of one of them lately, and playing with the float doesn't help.

I'm thinking that I would benefit from buying better quality pedals, but don't want to make a mistake.

Any recommendations out there for a budget of $75-$150?

Look style pedals can become like beartraps if they get worn or dirty. First try cleaning the pedal and the clip with a good solvent like wd40 to remove the grit and road grime from the mechanism. Then rinse them with alchohol to remove the solvent and re apply a dry lube or light lubricant to the moving parts. Also clean the cleat and apply silicone or a teflon based lube lightly to the contact surfaces. This usually works on my Look pedals. If it doesn't and they are still hard to unclip, you should replace them. From what you described, you have gotten your money's worth out of the Nashbar brand. Check out these pedals that Performance has on sale now at their website. http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17134&subcategory_ID=5245

IF you have a Performance near you, they have an in store special thru June 5th on the A5.1 for $115. IT's the european import and they work very nicely. I have them on two of my bikes.

Cheers

I've had some $35 Nashbar clipless pedals (Look style) for about 1 year now. I like the wide base, but I'm having a heck of a time getting out of one of them lately, and playing with the float doesn't help.

I'm thinking that I would benefit from buying better quality pedals, but don't want to make a mistake.

Any recommendations out there for a budget of $75-$150?
I used various SPD designs from Shimano's to Performance clones and have recently switched to the Crank Brothers Eggbeater style. At least as easy to get into, and absolutely no issue getting out. From day one when you want out, you were just out. Can't say the same thing about every SPD pedal I used. Occasionally I'd get a little snag it seemed for whatever reason.

http://www.crankbrothers.com/candy_sl.php are the pedals I got. There are obviously various styles, some with platforms, some without. Those without are lighter, but some complain of hot spots. I've not tried them so can't say. They all use the same cleat system. I can't see ever going back to anything else. Another good aspect is you can mount them in shoes you can actuall walk in vs doing the duck walk. A big plus in my opinion.
These pedals can be had on ebay for $60-$70 new without trying real hard.

Ive been around the block and found some of the best price for weight/performance out of the Ultegra SPD-SLs