From a total klutz angle: SPD or Look pedals?

DanP said:

Ok, so I switched to clipless about 1,500 miles ago (Look), toppled over twice while getting used to them within the first 20 miles (ok with me).

Last weekend took my 3rd fall, no big deal but more painful to be sure (happened to be a bee in my shirt but regardless, could not clip out fast enough).

I'll add that in at least a couple of races it's been dicey at best uncliping when beat up before entering a transition area, not a good feeling.

And without a doubt under stress it's taking me a longish time to clip in as well.

So looking for a friendlier on and (particularly) off system - would SPD's be any easier compared to Looks (my only reference point)?

Thanks in advance and sorry for what is probably a very tired topic here.

I have no experience with either, but have you considered Speedplays? They were my first and only clipless pedals, only had one fall (the first day) and that was when I stopped and couldn't get out quick enough.

In fact, about 1 month ago I was pedaling around town relaxing, and inadvertantly rolled straight into a rock garden (crushed loose gravel set in the MIDDLE of a sidewalk) It was approximately 10 feet long. Needless to say, my skinny little road tires sunk about 3 inches into it. Even as I started to fall I was able to unclip and get my foot on the ground....don't know that I could do it every time, but it certainly saved a couple of bruises and bike scratches that time.

Good luck with your search!

John

I have only used SPD's and have never taken a fall. Everytime I get close I always manage to get the foot out just in time. Plus you can adjust them to be tighter or looser. I haven't used the other types (just cages) so I can't compare.

Thanks for the replies folks, they are appreciated!

Yet talent and ability being relative, I'm sure that I can run into 1,000 Look users that can competently clip in & out seamlessly.

Particularly looking for people that know the Look system well and can compare that to others (yes, lets expand that from SPD's to any other clip-on pedal).

Thanks in advance!

I've used Look, Speedplay, and SPD.

I currently use SPD on my mountain bike, and I used to use Look on my road bike, but I switched to Speedplay some time ago. I'll have to say that the Speedplay is hands-down the easiest to get out of because you're not fighting against a spring to get out. With Look and SPD, you're held in by a spring-loaded clamp-type thing, so when you want to release, you have to overcome that to get out. It becomes more difficult if you're a strong rider and you have to turn the tension up to avoid inadvertent release.

With Speedplays, there's no spring tension really. The cleats stay locked in because of the design of the system, and you don't have to overcome any significant clamping device to release. I've never, ever been stuck in a Speedplay, but then again I started off on Looks, so I was already used to the release difficulty of those. Comparing only Looks and SPDs, I'd have to side slightly with the SPDs for ease of release, but given a similar release tension setting, it's a close call.

I also find Speedplays the easiest to get into, because they're 2-sided (like my mountain bike SPDs) so you just step down and go. There's no "toe-first" action involved like there is woth Looks.

Hope this help you make your decision.

just losen the tension to your taste. Stay with the Look.

I had SPD's with the multi release cleats for a while. They are almost impossible to get stuck in as they release by twisting your heel or rolling your foot. I went down pretty hard with them a few times, and never had a problem getting out. The only trouble is that if you tend to pull really hard when sprinting or climbing, they might pop accidentally.

DanP said:

Ok, so I switched to clipless about 1,500 miles ago (Look), toppled over twice while getting used to them within the first 20 miles (ok with me).

Last weekend took my 3rd fall, no big deal but more painful to be sure (happened to be a bee in my shirt but regardless, could not clip out fast enough).

I'll add that in at least a couple of races it's been dicey at best uncliping when beat up before entering a transition area, not a good feeling.

And without a doubt under stress it's taking me a longish time to clip in as well.

So looking for a friendlier on and (particularly) off system - would SPD's be any easier compared to Looks (my only reference point)?

Thanks in advance and sorry for what is probably a very tired topic here.

It depends greatly whether you are referring to standard SPD or SPD-SL systems. Completely different animals. I used to find Look having easier entry/exit than SPD cleats, but the SPD-SL's have been by far the best I have ever used. The speedplays are pretty easy to get in and out of as well, I just prefer the wider platform of the SL's.

Thanks folks,

cydewaze, good point about the spring tension, puts the alternate mechanisms into perspective.

dfvcad, I've set the tension to the least already, didn't notice much difference.

Incidentally, I rode a friend's bike and his Look pedals were really easy to get out of, not sure why - only explanation I thought of is that his bike is 2cm shorter than mine and that gave me more leverage.

Sounds like I should take a closer look at the SPD / SL's. Stupid question: how does one clip in, is it downward pressure on the pedal or does one have to do some strange foot rotation?

DanP said:

Incidentally, I rode a friend's bike and his Look pedals were really easy to get out of, not sure why - only explanation I thought of is that his bike is 2cm shorter than mine and that gave me more leverage.

That was probably due to wear and the spring getting weaker with age. On my old Looks I remember having to bump the tension up after a few rides.

DanP said:

Sounds like I should take a closer look at the SPD / SL's. Stupid question: how does one clip in, is it downward pressure on the pedal or does one have to do some strange foot rotation?

On the SPD and Speedplay, you just step down and press. Might take some wiggling if you get a little dirt. Once you get used to them, you just smack your foot right down and you're in.

dfvcad said:

just losen the tension to your taste. Stay with the Look.

The ideal tension for release (for me) was WAY too little to keep my foot secure on sprints. I had to crank the tension up quite a bit to stay in, and then it took a bit of effort to get out. Fine for me, but the original poster wanted a comparison, and I was trying to provide that. If he really has trouble getting out, I'm not sure that a Look is a good pedal for him.