Has anyone used Keywin clipless pedals? How well do they perform?

My head coach (lots of experience) uses them on his bike and rates them highly. If you want more info then mail him at ian@bikemax.co.za

I used to use Look 396 pedals but now I use Keywin. They are fantastic pedals, although fairly hard to find. Sometimes they show up on ebay, so I got 2 pair there. I weighed them, and they are 96 grams per pedal, almost half the weight of Look.

The original Keywin clipless pedals were the first clipless pedals I ever owned (ca. '89). I don't know what the current ones are like but my Keywins had a nylon pedal body. Sure it was lightweight but also prone to wear and just plain looks cheap. The cleats had to be mounted with six screws directly to the shoe since it didn't fit any "standard" hole pattern. They were fixed, no pivot or float at all. Personally, I hated the Keywins. I used them for one year before going to LOOK.

Tech72

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Six screws?
What shoes are they compactible with?

So long as they are stiff, strong and adjusted correctly I'm willing to give them a go.

Can you buy cleats with float?

Brian

The Keywins I had were the early model with cleats that mounted directly to the sole of my shoes (Adidas Eddy Merckx) with six self taping screws - basically wood screws. The screws were short enough to attach the cleats to the shoes without going through the nylon soles. Aligning and mounting the cleats was difficult because you only had one chance to get it right or your soles would end up with a number of extra holes.

I believe current Keywins cleats are LOOK pattern and the pedals were re-designed to have some float. The pedal body is still that cheap nylon material though. I think they even have a Ti spindle version these days. Keywins are lighweight if nothing else.

Tech72

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Live long, Ride far.

The Keywins I had were the early model with cleats that mounted directly to the sole of my shoes (Adidas Eddy Merckx) with six self taping screws - basically wood screws. The screws were short enough to attach the cleats to the shoes without going through the nylon soles. Aligning and mounting the cleats was difficult because you only had one chance to get it right or your soles would end up with a number of extra holes.

I believe current Keywins cleats are LOOK pattern and the pedals were re-designed to have some float. The pedal body is still that cheap nylon material though. I think they even have a Ti spindle version these days. Keywins are lighweight if nothing else.

Tech72

__________________
Live long, Ride far.

The Keywins I had were the early model with cleats that mounted directly to the sole of my shoes (Adidas Eddy Merckx) with six self taping screws - basically wood screws. The screws were short enough to attach the cleats to the shoes without going through the nylon soles. Aligning and mounting the cleats was difficult because you only had one chance to get it right or your soles would end up with a number of extra holes.

I believe current Keywins cleats are LOOK pattern and the pedals were re-designed to have some float. The pedal body is still that cheap nylon material though. I think they even have a Ti spindle version these days. Keywins are lighweight if nothing else.

Tech72

__________________
Live long, Ride far.

Im asuming we are talking about the same thing, Keywin pedals are made in my home country of NZ, I have riden them for years, the originals where terrible though, wear, pulled feet, not compatible ect but the new ones are primo. They are still Nylon but a completly differant design to the old ones, they fit onto look compatable shoes. The "float" is in the pedal itself, not the cleat and it is adjustable. They can be adapted onto an Old set of Keywins also for about 1/2 the price of a new set. What sold me though was the track lock. A small pin that comes up through the pedal and into the cleat makeing it extremely hard to pull your foot (I managed once, but I was trying to and it was alot of effort). If anyone is looking for some or trying to source cleats I would be more than happy to help arange....only drawback is they are a reasonably high maintanance pedal... they get sloppy after abit but can be readjusted.

The spindle is high maintenance?
What is the Tit spindle like for maintenance?

Are they getting loose or is it a bearing problem?

Brian

Its actually 2 problems, 1 is they do get a little loose, 2 is they have a small plastic cover over the end of the bearings, which tends to go missing leaving the cavity open to dust, dirt ect....the Ti spindal I havnt used so cant comment sorry, ment to mention these things where originally designed using a spindal from a Suntour pedal....they will fit on if you have an old pair of suntours floating about...just need an adapter kit.

I should clarify what I mean by high maintanance....needs adjusting every 2 - 3000 km. dont have to replace things often, I find the cleats (1/2 the price of look cleats) are compareable if not better than looks as far as wear goes

It appears that Nashbar and the like have a flood of these pedals in inventory now 11/2004. Picked up my Ti pair for $69 with cleats. I did not find the cleats to be less expensive than the looks - keywin $20 for cleats. I spent time looking for reviews before purchase including this thread and I decided to throw in my thought too.

Previously riding on Look carbon pedals I am probably saving 120grams. But I was wearing out/snaping cleats 3 times a year on the 8 year old look pedals and figured it time for a change. The Look pedals are rear heavy and the pedals settle in a constant position. My keywins did but when clicking into them I had a Look inspired tendency to use too much power rather than form. I found it difficult to know when I was clicked in - no Look sounding lock and sealed loud snap. But after I was in they were secure. I road them with the default tension - minimal float as I did with Look. I ride on relatively flat course with many short sprints.

The first thing I felt was that the Look system with the weight toward the rear support toe (down) and heel (up) pedaling. The Keywin just felt limp and played no part in directing motion. After riding 10 miles my shins had noticable pain which I only get when running. I have not had time to adjust the cleat thoroughly but just my first impression mimicing the Look cleat placement (middle) which leave me with only 2cm or so of correction. I definitely need to correct this fit - beware of seemingly different pedal position/motion.

I do not know why, I installed Racer Lite tires and new rear wheel too, but cornering (and pedaling through the corners) was awesome and I had no fear of pedal touchdown. As Keywin mentions I needed 2 (forward most) cleat position longer screws than they supplied (my old Look screws were fine) I ride SIDI shoes.

Verdict, I had planned to donate my Look pedals but I will kept them to see how the Keywins adjust. The Keywins are hot at $69-$79 but this shin thing bothers me. Keywin has a 30 day money back guarantee but there has to be some fix.

I think the Look cleats I have been buying the last four years are designed to wear out fast - I snap the front lip easily and it if I touchdown on the road they melt. My original cleats lasted three years I think they were lined with a kevlar or something - let me know if there really are different grades of Look cleats.

You mentioned Nashbar. Who or what are they and do they have contact details.

www.nashbar.com