Advantages of SPD vs. Look

Can anyone tell me what tha adavatages of SPD are over the original Look
design? I've been out of serious recreational road cycling for nearly 10
years and I'm considering a comeback with my original circa '88 to '91
equipment which inclued mavic copies of the Look clip-in pedal design. Would
there be any advantage in upgrading pedals cleats and shoes? Is there any
improvment in the walk-ability of SPD compared to Look? I just remeber from
my golden days that walking home in shoes with big plates on the bottom
pulling a diabled road bike was just a bit more exercise thant I was
anticipating.

I've also noticed that most of the road shoes are now fastened with velcro
instead of laces. How well does the velcro hold up? Any risk of pull out? Is
any manfacuturer still making lace on road shoes??

John L. Lucci wrote:

Can anyone tell me what tha adavatages of SPD are over the original Look
design? I've been out of serious recreational road cycling for nearly 10
years and I'm considering a comeback with my original circa '88 to '91
equipment which inclued mavic copies of the Look clip-in pedal design. Would
there be any advantage in upgrading pedals cleats and shoes? Is there any
improvment in the walk-ability of SPD compared to Look? I just remeber from
my golden days that walking home in shoes with big plates on the bottom
pulling a diabled road bike was just a bit more exercise thant I was
anticipating.

I've also noticed that most of the road shoes are now fastened with velcro
instead of laces. How well does the velcro hold up? Any risk of pull out? Is
any manfacuturer still making lace on road shoes??

There are plenty of mountain bike shoes that allow walking with SPuD "M"
and "S" on hard surfaces with no cleat contact, unlike Look's which
force the wearer to waddle like a duck while wearing the cleat (and
marring flooring). Some (e.g. Sidi Dominator) are basically road shoes
with lugs on the sole, while others have more flexible soles and are
better for walking in.

Unless one is a weight weenie concerned about every last gram, a racer,
or someone worried about being seen as a "Fred", there is no reason to
use road shoes and cleats instead of the more practical MTB and touring
shoes.

I find the Sidi system of two Velcro [TM] straps and an adjustable
buckle to be superior to laces in several respects. The are no laces
which can come loose from being tied and/or tucked in, then getting
caught between the chain and chainring(s). Tension can be easily
adjusted while riding to accommodate the swelling of the feet that
normally occurs, and can be independently adjusted (e.g. loose over the
arch, tight at the ankle). The shoes can also be put on and taken off in
less time than those with laces. Unintentional loosening of the shoes
has never been a problem in my experience.

--
Tom Sherman - Near Rock Island

On Sun, 02 Jan 2005 07:30:47 GMT, "John L. Lucci" wrote:

Can anyone tell me what tha adavatages of SPD are over the original Look
design? I've been out of serious recreational road cycling for nearly 10
years and I'm considering a comeback with my original circa '88 to '91
equipment which inclued mavic copies of the Look clip-in pedal design. Would
there be any advantage in upgrading pedals cleats and shoes? Is there any
improvment in the walk-ability of SPD compared to Look? I just remeber from
my golden days that walking home in shoes with big plates on the bottom
pulling a diabled road bike was just a bit more exercise thant I was
anticipating.

I've also noticed that most of the road shoes are now fastened with velcro
instead of laces. How well does the velcro hold up? Any risk of pull out? Is
any manfacuturer still making lace on road shoes??


I went down the same route you're going but started a few months ago. I decided
to stay with the Looks. Getting my bike back on the road and getting me dressed
for it was expensive enough without adding pedals, too. They're still supported
by all the shoe makers and cleats and cleat covers will remain available for the
future. All that is IF your Look-alikes work with real Look cleats. There is no
hope of a truly walkable shoe with the Looks (cleat covers help a LOT) as there
is with mountain shoes and SPDs. But then a road bike shouldn't be breaking and
making you walk.

I bought an inexpensive pair of Gaerne road shoes at an LBS and am completely
gruntled. This is the most comfortable footwear I can recall owning aside from
some slippers I once had. They are the ONLY velcro shoes I've ever worn (or
probably ever will - maybe it's just me but velcro's for spastics and small
children under four). The velcro isn't a problem at all. Mine need a reset about
5 miles along, easy to do while riding and that's it. Perfect fit.

Now I"m working out how to evolve my bike from 7s SIS with DT shifters to Ergo
and a bunch more gears without spending real money.

Ron

On Sun, 02 Jan 2005 04:58:28 -0600, Tom Sherman
wrote:



Unless one is a weight weenie concerned about every last gram, a racer,
or someone worried about being seen as a "Fred", there is no reason to
use road shoes and cleats instead of the more practical MTB and touring
shoes.

Tom, there are a few reasons why some might choose the Look style over
SPD. One that comes to mind, is hot spots. Some prefer the larger
platform feel of the Look style.
I have both styles of pedals and when walking isn't a concern, I would
much rather use my SPD-SL road pedals. The SPD-SL is Shimano's version
of the Look pedal.
I'm sure others can come up with some other reasons. I am time limited
today;-)

Life is Good!
Jeff

"RonSonic" wrote:
There is no
hope of a truly walkable shoe with the Looks (cleat covers help a LOT) as
there
is with mountain shoes and SPDs. But then a road bike shouldn't be
breaking and
making you walk.

Yes, but even if the bike doesn't break down, you're going to have to (or
want to) walk some on a long ride (food/rest/bathroom breaks). I have Looks
on all my bikes, but if I had it to do over, I think I'd go with SPDs. My
worst experience with the Looks was a group ride where we took a long ferry
boat ride at the start and end. I actually carried a pair of moccasins for
wearing when off the bike. And then there's the Look squeak problem...

Art Harris

Tom Sherman wrote:
Unless one is a weight weenie concerned about every last gram, a
racer,
or someone worried about being seen as a "Fred", there is no reason to
use road shoes and cleats instead of the more practical MTB and
touring shoes.

I find Looks more comfortable and secure than SPDs for recreational
cycling. In fact they are heavier than some SPD pedals.

~PB

John L. Lucci wrote:
Can anyone tell me what tha adavatages of SPD are over the original
Look design?

SPD cleats can be recessed with certain shoes, that's about it.

Yes walking for miles is hard work in stiff soles & Look cleats, but a few
steps here and there is no problem when rubber covers are used.

..........
I've also noticed that most of the road shoes are now fastened with
velcro instead of laces. How well does the velcro hold up? Any risk
of pull out? Is any manfacuturer still making lace on road shoes??

They hold up very well, except the velcro eventually gets less "sticky"
after years of use, but there's no sudden pull-out even then. Some
models use a ratchet system instead.

Velcro/ratchet can be adjusted on the move--worth buying for that
advantage alone.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" wrote in
:
I find Looks more comfortable and secure than SPDs for recreational
cycling. In fact they are heavier than some SPD pedals.

"More comfortable" is pretty vague. What is more comfortable about Looks?

"Jenn" wrote in message
...
"Pete Biggs" wrote in
:
I find Looks more comfortable and secure than SPDs for recreational
cycling. In fact they are heavier than some SPD pedals.

"More comfortable" is pretty vague. What is more comfortable about Looks?

Wider platform. Take a look at a look cleat and compare it to the spd. The
wider platform of the look cleat allows the pressure to be more spread out.
In contrast, the smaller spd cleat can cause "hot foot" to some as the
pressure is more concentrated.

Even speedplay x pedals, with its lollipop shape, has a wider cleat than
spd. That tends to spread out the pressure and be more comfortable. I
recommend giving each and try and see what you like.

Tom Sherman wrote:
There are plenty of mountain bike shoes that allow walking with SPuD "M"
and "S" on hard surfaces with no cleat contact, unlike Look's which
force the wearer to waddle like a duck while wearing the cleat (and
marring flooring).

Since we've been remembering Dave Stoler of "Breaking Away" lately -
Whenever forced to walk a ways in cleated shoes, we gave this version of
one of his lines:

"Ahh, the Italians - like the nightingales they sing, like the eagles
they fly, like the ducks they walk."

Have to agree that cleat covers help with walking in LOOKs; the covers
also help to keep the cleats clean, which seems to help reduce squeaking.

I've modified my commuting shoes with huge rubber lugs that *almost*
eliminate cleat contact with the ground - but these are using the
long-obsolete "Y" look cleats. I'm not sure if the "delta" cleats would
clear the lugs.

Mark Janeba