Speedplay vs Look Keo Sprint Pedals

WOuld I notice any difference between these two pedals? Which do most people prefer?

You'd notice a difference in float, with the Speedplays having more float than the Looks. Clipping in is different between the two makes. They're both good pedals, so the choice will come down to personal preference.

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What about the general issue of double-sided versus single-sided? I have only used single-sided (Look KEO). They've worked fine for the most part. But sometimes the pedal gets inverted, and I need a few tries to clip in. I was thinking about Speedplay as a double-sided option. Is there a down-side to them, or just what one prefers?

Depends on the Speedplay model. I would recommend this gent look at Zeros, not the X series Speedplay. Those have adjustable float, 0 to 7.5 degrees in both directions.

I went from Look to Campagnolo(LOOK clone) to Campagnolo Profit to Zeros. I like the simplicity of Speedplay, the 2 sided-ness, the servicability of Zeros. And the adjustability not only of the float but cleat positioning both fore-aft and side to side. Much more than Look. BUT when I first put them on and rode them, they pretty much felt like the LOOKs. Never go back now. In spite of a recall for Keos, they don't seem very durable and when the spindle gets loose, no real way to service them. Lastly, fall and kill a Speedplay pedal and you can buy 1 pedal..nice feature.

IF you go with the Speedplays, DO get the cleat covers, as they are quite difficult to walk in.

2 sided pedals and 'step on a bug' entry. No toe in, heel down type thing. JUST CENTER your foot, step down. I like 'em.

Agree the Zeros are hard to beat for ease of entry and exit. The free-float (no spring centering action) did feel strange at first, like my feet weren't really clipped in, but that feeling went away in a couple of rides. The tiny set screws on the bottom of the Zero cleats allow for simple float adjustments all the way down to none if you prefer.

The pedals require grease every 2K miles, but it's quick and easy to do. The cleats have a hard al plate on the bottom, and last much longer than the old Look nylon ones. At 20K miles, I'm just on my second set of cleats.

Only downside I've found is that the cleats need to be kept free of mud or sand since they contain the moveable C clips that engage the pedals. Using the covers of course is the solution, but you do have to be careful about taking even a few steps in mud or sandy soil when getting off the bike.

What are the differences of clipping in and out? It took me awhile to get used to clipless pedals. In fact I still fall every once in a while.

It's roughly the same as clipping in and out of Look pedals, just easier since you don't have to worry about flipping the pedal into position to catch the nose with the cleat. To clip into speedplays, you just center the cleat on the pedal and press down. The "c-clip" inside the cleat is beveled, as is the top of the pedal, so under vertical load the clip opens and snaps into the grooves in the pedal.

To release, you turn the cleat to the side, which forces the c-clip to open and release the pedal, just like the Looks. Sorry about the falls, but seems most of us fall once or twice when we first switch to clipless before the release becomes programmed in. You might speed up the learning curve by practicing extra stop/starts on a training ride.

Yup. The best way to break an old habit is to do something different 23 days in a row.

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Okay, someone has to ask the questions:

What pedal system are you currently using?

What don't you like about it?

What do you hope to accomplish by changing to another pedal type?

To state the obvious, if you are using an SPD(-type) pedal + MTB shoes, then you will need another pair of shoes.

If you walk more than a few yards with your current pedal/cleat/shoe system, then you could find walking with one of the other systems to be very tedious.

I already have the Looks, Are the Speedplays that much easier to get into that I should make the change?

No. The entry into each pedal is just different.

__________________
Sex is horrid
Pain is Fun
I cut my fingers off
One by one