Red cleats vs black ones..?

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dudigrinfeld

Active Member
We all know the 2 options of the Look compatible cleats the one with the movements 6 degrees the red one vs the black one which are 0 degrees movement. I have never tried the black ones but now they on my cycling shoes and I'm about to try it first time when I'll get time from work. Before I'm going out anyone can share some experience using them vs the red one? Anything I need to know if I'm going to use them which will make the experience better without learning the hard way..?
 
Make sure they are set up absolutely spot on or you could end up with knee problems. On the very few occassions when I have seen a photo of a pro rider with the soles of their shoe visble they have been using cleats with float. Your foot position will change on the pedal when you are out of the saddle or if you sit further foward or back from your normal position, personally for the sake of a few quid I would junk them and use red cleats.
 

youngoldbloke

The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
what did you ask?
I am interested to know which make of Look compatible cleats you are referring to, as I would be very pleased to find an alternative to the ludicrously overpriced 'Look' branded ones. I use the grey Look ones at the moment, and have no experience of the nil float ones.
 

the_mikey

Legendary Member
I use either the grey Look cleats, or Red BBB cleats.

The grey Look cleats are best for those times when you need to get off the bike for cafe stops to push, because of the grip on the cleats (if it hasn't worn away), the red BBB cleats are ok, as long as you don't expect to be walking anywhere.
 
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dudigrinfeld

dudigrinfeld

Active Member
I am interested to know which make of Look compatible cleats you are referring to, as I would be very pleased to find an alternative to the ludicrously overpriced 'Look' branded ones. I use the grey Look ones at the moment, and have no experience of the nil float ones.
I use the Xpedo Thrust pedals, they are made of Taiwan. They got the best review by cycling plus checking like 20 different pedals. I have the Thrust 7 with the Ti axle. I bought it via Internet from a Taiwany shop for less about £85. They worth it.



http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/pedals/product/review-xpedo-thrust-xrf08ct11-44478
 

youngoldbloke

The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
I use the Xpedo Thrust pedals, they are made of Taiwan. They got the best review by cycling plus checking like 20 different pedals. I have the Thrust 7 with the Ti axle. I bought it via Internet from a Taiwany shop for less about £85. They worth it.



http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/pedals/product/review-xpedo-thrust-xrf08ct11-44478

Yes, but what make, or brand are the Look compatible CLEATS? I know BBB make them and at least one other company, and am interested in how the CLEATS compare with the expensive 'genuine' article?
 

Dogberry

Well-Known Member
Make sure they are set up absolutely spot on or you could end up with knee problems. On the very few occassions when I have seen a photo of a pro rider with the soles of their shoe visble they have been using cleats with float. Your foot position will change on the pedal when you are out of the saddle or if you sit further foward or back from your normal position, personally for the sake of a few quid I would junk them and use red cleats.

Years ago I used the nail on cleats in association with toe clips and straps but that was all there was back then and I was young and flexible.

I use red cleats as I know how important it is to look (no pun intended) after your knees.
 
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dudigrinfeld

dudigrinfeld

Active Member
Yes, but what make, or brand are the Look compatible CLEATS? I know BBB make them and at least one other company, and am interested in how the CLEATS compare with the expensive 'genuine' article?
if I understand you right it is Xpedo cleats which they have red and black which are compatible Look Keo cleats or the same I meant. But the Xpedo cleats are not cheaper than the Keo
 

youngoldbloke

The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
OK - I understand now. You use Xpedo pedals and Xpedo cleats. From my limited research it appears that Xpedo cleats are NOT compatible with Keo pedals, but Keo cleats ARE compatible with Xpedo pedals - see: earlier thread also Xpedo
So - no more to add from me ......
 
Years ago I used the nail on cleats in association with toe clips and straps but that was all there was back then and I was young and flexible.

I use red cleats as I know how important it is to look (no pun intended) after your knees.
The old style cleats (or shoeplates as we called them back then) could be set up very accurately by riding without them on for a few miles and then aligning the slot in the cleat with the impression left by the pedal on your leather soled shoe. There was actually a few degrees of built in float because the slot on the cleat was wider than the plate at the rear of the pedal on which it would engage, allowing a bit of rotation.
 
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dudigrinfeld

dudigrinfeld

Active Member
So here is the verdict I went first time with the black cleats on my Mavic shoes. I did the same course I do sometimes which is 23km more like time trial ride. It is the first time I actually passed the 20mph average speed for the entire length of the course. I approved 1kph average speed from the best one I ever did on this length. I can't tell, be sure or direct it to the black cleats but that is the only thing that was different as setup since I'm doing this course. I also felt comfortable with the fact it fixed and not floating, maybe it is beginners luck, maybe I had more wind today, I don't know but I'll check it few more times and then really decide. So far the knees are fine!
 
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