grnmasi

Hi Forum,

I am replacing my Look PP256 pedals (2 pairs in 10 years) since the bearing/bushing/spindles are shot again. I am also looking for something that might be better for my bad knees/tendons.

I currently have a pair of the Look 5.1 and the Time RXS Carbon right in front of me. I am trying to decide which to keep and install on my bike for use.

Without installing either pair on my bike, I have been clipping in the cleats in each pedal and checking how they float. The float on the Look pedals seems to be very smooth and easy throughout the set range (i.e. 3, 6,or 9 degrees). They literally FLOAT. You also have the flexibility of choosing the amount of float (angle extent). You can also set the tension of release seperately on the Looks.

The Time RXS carbon are much lighter and place the foot closer to the spindle (that isn't as important to me as the other things). I like the form of the cleat, BUT the float seems to be much rougher. Granted, it is not a free float in that there is an apparent spring tension which resists the float and basically returns your foot to the original neutral position. You can make some adjustment ( 3 positions) to this elasticity, i.e. the amount of resistance to the float, but regardless, it doesn't seem smooth to me at all especially compared to the Look float. It seems to be more than just the resistance on the Time pedal, almost a bit of 'catching' too. Granted. I am holding the pedal off the bike and trying to twist the cleat in the pedal with my hand, i.e. without a shoe. I am sure that it will be easier if I put it on the bike and use my shoe.

I've heard, even on this forum that the float on the Time pedal is so much easier and better than on the Look (maybe they were not referring to the 5.1). Am I missing something here? Does the float on the Time become smoother over time (no pun intended)? Is it just that I really can't get a good feel on the Time float, due to the built-in resistance/elasticity mechanism for the float, without actually putting the pedal on the bike and using the cleat on a shoe?

Do any of you, especially those with knee and tendon problems, prefer the fact that the resistance forces the foot back to neutral after a while on the Time RXS pedal as opposed to the Look free float without resistance?

I am also a bit bothered that the Time pedal doesn't allow you to adjust the limits of the float or even the resistance to clipping completely out. The Look allows you to adjust the amount, degree extent of the float. It also allows a completely separate adjustment to the pedal release/step-in resistance.

I would appreciate any and all of your comments.

Thanks.

martin_j001

As far as using your hands to check float, its not giving you a good idea of what it will really feel like since your legs are probalby much stronger-- you won't notice as much of the "catching" you refer to now.

I switched from Look to the Time Impact series a while ago, and found them to help with my knees a lot--I did find the float to offer more, and smoother movement than my Looks did. Since then though, I've learned that cleat position and position on the bike have much more to do with your knees than pedal choice--especially when the pedals you are comparing have similar amounts of float (by the time I got ride of the Impacts, I was using the "tightest" tension setting, so almost the equivalent of no float). If you haven't been professionally fit on your bike, I would certainly suggest it. A better fitting will include analyzing your cleat position and foot position on the pedals.

Since you're getting new pedals anyways though, I'd personally choose the Time. Have you considered the Look Keo's at all? Only about $150 shipped at www.probikekit.com.... These are my current pedals of choice.

wannaride

I have a largely reconstructed left knee and can report that the Time RXS Carbon Ti pedals have proven to be very nice to it over 1000 miles.

DrugCoder

I have knee problems as well and I have the Time RXS Carbons on my bike. I absolutely love them. I've never had a problem accidentally clipping out and never have a problem clipping in or out intentionally. I don't see how you can go wrong with these pedals.