Frederico

Before anything I'd like you guys to know that I'm new to track cycling. I just put a track bike together, and built with the intent to ride it on the track (outdoor). In saying that, it'd be good if I could ride it every once in a while on the street too.

Once I finished assembling the bike, I took it for a spin around the block. I had Mavic Zxellium pedals on. When trying to slow down the bike, the carbon blade integrating the spring system on the pedals shattered. The pedals always worked quite well on my road bike, but it seems quite obvious now that they were not designed to be pulled on hardly.


Pedals are pretty much like this one.

So I've been looking for alternatives, and it seems that Look Kéo's are amongst the top choices for a track pedal. Previous posts on this forum gave them quite a bit of support. Do you guys still think that the Kéos are a good choice? The spring system on them is obviously different.


Cheers

Damien09

i like my look keo sprint they can be dialed pretty tight.the keo classic are also similar just cant go as tight and a little heavyer but both can be found for a good price

Tman1965

On the velodrome you will never have to slow down as hard as on the road (at least it shouldn't happen). But that doesn't help you with your road usage.

The Mavic Zxelliums are pretty much Time Espressos. And the reviews for the Espressos are, friendly speaking, mixed. Time is pretty obliging when it comes to replacing broken pedals, maybe Mavic too?
They cannot be that bad, otherwise pros wouldn't use them. But neither cleats nor pedals seem to last long.

Look Keo and all the other brands are going to be a completely different experience, when it comes to clicking in the pedal. Nothing is as easy as the Espressos.
Time RXS would also be a more reliable alternative.
Shimano SPD SL (Road) works well.
Speedplay seems to be fine.
Some people use even Shimano SPD (MTB) on the track

Pretty much every pedal system can withstand the pulling forces during a sprint without unclicking. The problem is usually the twisting and thus side forces that might occur during an all-out sprint. That's why sprinters like to add some fancy straps.

Choice of the pedal system is mostly a question of personal preference.

Thomas

Baby Puke

SPD-SL's.

carleton

+1

Or LOOK KEO MAX II. I wouldn't recommend any other LOOK pedals on the track. I don't have experience with the others, but I know many strong racers use KEO II MAX, including USA's Matt Baranoski (at least he did when last I noticed).

I've used them all (LOOK, Shimano, Speedplay, etc...) and Shimano SPD SL are my favorite.

Frederico

Well, it looks like SPD-SLs it is then ... Thanks for the input boys.

700wheel

I have used the aluminum alloy SPD-SL pedals for many years on both road and track. The new SPD-SL pedals have composite bodies of which I have zero experience.

carleton

Same here.

The good thing is that the high-end alloy Ultegra and Dura Ace pedals can be now be found for very cheap.

Baby Puke

Where? Whenever I look they are pricey. On the other hand, some people I know (sprinter types) are having good luck with the plastic pedals.

Frederico

Man, I hope so ... because I purchased a composite one, before the comments on alloy popped up above.

carleton

I found a set of Ultegra at a local shop in Portland. I went in asking for some alloy Ultegra or Dura Ace pedals and they were like, "Nope. We don't have those anymore in Ultegra or Dura Ace. All are composite now..." Then one guy remembered about a set in the back of a drawer somewhere. They sold them to me at cost.

The secret gold mine of used parts is Slow Twitch Classifieds. Those guys buy new stuff all the time and sell their "old" stuff for cheap. They are always chasing small gains via lower weight or some new tech. I'm pretty sure that the tri guys are really easy on their pedals as they don't do sprint work. I've bought quite a few things from there over the years. I once saw a guy selling some of the nice, metal-capped, 4.5" Kreitler rollers ($450?) for like $50 in like new condition.

dunderhi

Don't worry about the composite pedals. I've been riding them for two years without issue.

taras0000

Spd-r ftw

Baby Puke

Well, if you wanna be like that– DA 7400's FTW!

Koogar

I have run Speedplays for over ten years on the road, but switched to DA for track this year after exploding a Speedplay cleat sprinting. I haven't had any problems with the Shimanos and I am more of a sprinter than an enduro. I did attach toe straps after clipping out unintentionally a couple times, but that's really a reflection of my unfamiliarity with the lack of float and my horrible Madison technique.

The only downside I can think of with these composite pedals is that they might not fare so well in crashes, depending on your track surface.

taras0000

I have both! Two pairs of the 7400's and 5 of the R's. 3 sets of the DA cleats, and about 8 sets of the R's. Gotta stock up on the things you like when they're discontinued. I'll probably buy into a new pedal system in about 10-15 years.

taras0000

The "composite" is really just plastic reinforced with short, singular strands of carbon fiber. It's really just a fiber reinforced, injection molded plastic. They'll fare pretty well. I have yet to see a pedal shatter in a crash. They might get scraped up pretty badly, but should still be functional.

Baby Puke

I still really like the feel of the 7400's. I know I should probably switch to SPD-SL's..., but so far I haven't.

carleton

The SPD-SL + straps will hold you tighter, seriously. Also, the SPD-SL will have your foot closer to the pedal spindle, so you'll maybe have to adjust your seat a bit. It's not much, but it's noticeable.

Koogar

I wasn't referring to shattering. I once ground down the body of a Speedplay in a crash badly enough that I needed to rebuild it. That said, I was more distressed about the state of my body than that of my pedal....