LOOK Cycle – Bicycle Pedals KEO 2 MAX XXX – Large Contact Surface 500 mm² – Total Power Transfer – Ultra-Light Pedals, XXXX Body – Adjustable Tension

Product Information

A new component has been added between these two bearings. A serrated washer, previously used to hold the needle roller bearing in place, has been replaced with a conical spacer. This technical solution reduces friction, increases fluidity, and by consequence, decreases the geometrical tolerances of the pedal body and play.

Engagement and disengagement are pretty trouble-free and will be familiar to those who've used other Keo pedals; the shape of the jaws are pretty similar through the range. Unlike the coil-sprung models, the weight of this pedal isn't so concentrated at the rear, but they hang at a similar angle so it's relatively straightforward to clip in without looking, something that can be an issue with Time Xpresso pedals, for example. One thing that I really liked about the blade design is that the underside of the pedal is flatter and less treacherous than most road pedals if you put your weight on it having missed the clip-in.Burt agrees, adding: “I’d say if you can ride one or the other you can ride either bio mechanically speaking — it will just be personal preference.” This can take some getting used to but can prove comfortable because it lets your feet find their natural position. As a result, Speedplay/Wahoo pedals have long been a popular choice with riders who suffer from knee pain when cycling. The Keo 2 Max Carbons are very good performance-oriented pedals at a good price, yet resilient enough for any season. While they're not tangibly superior to the cheaper Keo 2 Max, they're still well priced and excellent all-rounders. Verdict The closest competitor to the Keo 2 Max Carbon is the Shimano R8100 pedal, both in terms of where it sits in the range and the price point. Both options can be sourced online for similar prices if you find the right deal.

Shimano’s 105 R7000 pedals strike a good balance of weight to price. They are reliable and a solid performer, as you would expect from a Shimano product carrying the 105 name. At this level, all Shimano SPD-SL pedals share the same body design, so you get many of the benefits of Shimano’s higher-tier Ultegra and Dura-Ace designs. There are differences in the range of tension adjustment, float, and entry and exit feel between Look Kéo and SPD-SL pedals, but none of them are killer apps. How to choose? Shimano states their pedals do everything, but we know that their MTB (SPD) pedals are sealed due to the harsh environments MTBs ride in. The distance between the crank and the centre of a pedal varies very little between models of clipless pedals. It’s 53mm for all Kéo pedals, and all SPD-SL pedals except Dura-Ace, which is 52mm.Like Shimano’s more premium pedals, these are wide, with stainless steel metal inserts offering plenty of support while aiding power transfer. The R550s are a great set of first clipless pedals, offering everything you need. They have Shimano’s three-bolt cleat system, adjustable float and adjustable release tension so you can make clipping in and out as easy or hard as you like. It’s there to allow your feet to fall into the most natural, comfortable position while pedalling and to reduce the stress on your knees if your cleats aren’t positioned perfectly. Of the above poiints, Look have admitedly closed the gap in recent years, adding pontoons to the cleats so you dont directly walk on the pedal / cleat mating surface as before. The sole purpose of the sum of these improvements has been to guarantee you irreproachable reliability.

The bottom of the pedal is completely closed-in by the spring blade, with only a slim gap down each side. This makes them a bit more of a dirt trap than more open pedals, but I didn't have particular problems with them clogging up, even when I had to walk through mud. Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, The pedal weights are almost indistinguishable with the Shimano coming in at 124g for the pedal and the Keo 2 Max Carbon at 125g on our scales. Interestingly, these are both exactly on the claimed weight, something that doesn’t happen too often. Once cleats are included, Shimano gains the plaudits with a marginal victory. Total weights are 142g for the R8100 and 145g for the Look Keo 2 Max Carbon. I sweat a lot when training indoors. In fact, to keep rust from ruining the cleats on my shoes, I need to keep lubing the cleat bolts with WD-40. Comparison At the rear of the pedal's upper face, an easy-access hex bolt can be used to adjust the cleat tension, while the axle houses the bearings. PerformanceThe pedals use Shimano’s three-bolt cleat. They are available in three versions, offering different levels of float; these pedals are supplied with Shimano’s yellow cleats with 6 degrees of float. I made the switch for the exact same reason this year. The Faveros are fantastic pedals, but they are a pain to clip in to, just because they spin soooooo freely. Johnhas been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work. The pods on the Favero Assioma spindles house the power meter electronics. Simon Bromley / Immediate Media Shimano don’t specify the range of release tension of their pedals anywhere we’ve been able to find.