SPD-SL how much better than SPD?

[okgo]

As above chaps.

Currently got a set of spd pedals that had clips on one side and a flat pedal the other side. I have these because I cycle about 4 miles to work in trainers. However I have noticed how much quicker using the bike shoes is for my weekend rides.

But seeing as I have spd-sl compatible shoes and the 105 ones (to match the rest of my bike) are on sale, I am wondering if they are much better than spd?

[okgo]

bump

[Poloding Along]

Your spd cleats are aimed at mountain biking, spd sl are aimed at the road bike. Whole idea being that the wider cleat of the sl gives you a more stable platform for putting down more power where as the smaller spd cleats can be recessed into shoes with tread around them so that mountain bikers can get off and walk when they need to.

if its for a road bike or hybrid and you're looking at spd sl's I'd advise having a look at Look Keos. I've ran mine for over 2 years now in all weathers and they've performed brilliantly. Nice stable platform and still running smoothly. Only downside to them is that you can't walk far in the shoes but they're designed for on the bike, not for walking.

[okgo]

It all makes sense.

What is difference between look pedals and shimano spd-sl?

[anonymous-user]

I have look keo's too they offer a much wider contact area than spd and so are much more stable, rigid and adjustable than spds.

Look
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/look/keo-cleat...
Vs
SPD
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/spdr-s...

ok not at the same scale but so much more contact area with the Look cleats, as others have said not very easy to walk in though if that is an issue.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 20th April 10:51

[okgo]

They look like a similar area to me..

But I will have a look in the flesh.

[raf_gti]

okgo said:

They look like a similar area to me..

But I will have a look in the flesh.

I'm running 105 SLs on my bike and I have to say I can't notice a great deal of difference, if any over my standard SPDs.

From what I can tell and having not running a 'back to back' test the SLs have the advantage when really putting the power down, otherwise for normal riding they are much of a much.

[Poloding Along]

swerni said:

Poloding Along said:

Your spd cleats are aimed at mountain biking, spd sl are aimed at the road bike. Whole idea being that the wider cleat of the sl gives you a more stable platform for putting down more power where as the smaller spd cleats can be recessed into shoes with tread around them so that mountain bikers can get off and walk when they need to.

if its for a road bike or hybrid and you're looking at spd sl's I'd advise having a look at Look Keos. I've ran mine for over 2 years now in all weathers and they've performed brilliantly. Nice stable platform and still running smoothly. Only downside to them is that you can't walk far in the shoes but they're designed for on the bike, not for walking.

That's what I told him as well

Also decide how much float you want.
The look cleats come in black grey or red, the colours aren't just to make them look pretty

He'll get the idea eventually...hopefully

Terms of float, probably best going grey or red. Black has no float and can lead to sore tendons in the knees very easily unless your set-up is perfect. Grey's in the middle of the road with red being the most, off top of my head think its 4.5 degrees and 9 degrees float.

[anonymous-user]

I got the LBS to swap them out free of charge for reds, grey & blacks do my ankles in. Although I was spending over £1k at the time on a bike and associated extras.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st April 09:31

[shalmaneser]

Poloding Along said:

swerni said:

Poloding Along said:

Your spd cleats are aimed at mountain biking, spd sl are aimed at the road bike. Whole idea being that the wider cleat of the sl gives you a more stable platform for putting down more power where as the smaller spd cleats can be recessed into shoes with tread around them so that mountain bikers can get off and walk when they need to.

if its for a road bike or hybrid and you're looking at spd sl's I'd advise having a look at Look Keos. I've ran mine for over 2 years now in all weathers and they've performed brilliantly. Nice stable platform and still running smoothly. Only downside to them is that you can't walk far in the shoes but they're designed for on the bike, not for walking.

That's what I told him as well

Also decide how much float you want.
The look cleats come in black grey or red, the colours aren't just to make them look pretty

He'll get the idea eventually...hopefully

Terms of float, probably best going grey or red. Black has no float and can lead to sore tendons in the knees very easily unless your set-up is perfect. Grey's in the middle of the road with red being the most, off top of my head think its 4.5 degrees and 9 degrees float.

This is correct.

Don't use blacks unless you don't like your knees. Most seem to get on well with greys.