Look Blade Carbon vs Shimano Dura Ace

I have been looking at upgrading my road pedals after 4 years using keo max 2 on both of my bikes.

I am logically looking look keo blade carbon (perhaps with the ti spindle) because it would be an easy change (without having to change cleats and having to buy 2 pairs of pedals for both of my bikes) but some of the reviews are not so great. Main complain is creaking noise.

Seems that many switched to dura ace pedals and have no regrets. Apprently no they are faultless and provide a much better contact with the foot/shoe. Reviews seems very consitent with nothing negative at all. Tempted but again having to switch both of my bike to dura ace is not very economical.

Anyone with experience and/or opinion with those pedals? Would changing to dura ace be a better investment in the long run?

Ultegra are almost as good as DA and much cheaper.

I have owned all levels/models of Shimano road pedals at various points (although admittedly not the latest models); the only ones I own now are the R550 pedals as they're functionally just the same as the more expensive ones. They're about 70g heavier than Dura Ace though, but at thirty quid a pair from ebay, you can't really go wrong.

Shimano, no doubt.

Speedplay

I've got a set of look blade carbon with the cromo axle. Seems to work for me and only £79.99 here.

https://www.merlincycles.com/look-keo-blade-carbon-cr-pedals-96058.html

I’ve used the carbon blades for the last two years on one of my bikes and have had zero problems at all.

I’ve only just recently replaced the blades in the pedals because they wore out but that’s after around 6,000 miles.

I have Ti carbon Blades. Lovely pedals, but they creak when I'm grinding hard in a hill. Doesn't bother me much really, in that instance I can hear my breathing and several other creaky bits anyways

Speedplay

Yes that seems to be the complain..
I can’t handle creaking noise. So This is the reason I am not keen using them.

The main reason for the dura ace and look blade is the weight really. Otherwise I am satisfied with my look keo max 2.

Are speedplay that great? I am struggling with it.

Look keo for

1. cleat availability
   
2. cleat price
   
3. weight (the carbon ones)
   
4. reliability
   
5. price
   
   

The only gripe I have against shimano is the cleat shape that runs outside of the shoe .. but yeah fuck speedplay.

The single only downside of speedplay I’ve found is walking on the cleats. Otherwise, double sided engagement which also means no toe first movement which you can sometimes miss, just stamp down and you’re in.
Low weight and adjustable float in both directions.
I won’t ever go back to traditional road pedals

the combined weight of speedplay titanium is higher than look keo carbon (chromoly axle)

the price of the cleats is 4 times more than keo/shimano cleats

speedplay would've been great if they sold the C spring as a consumable

and they need more 'maintenance' than keo/shimano

and they are more expensive

fuck speedplay

(maybe great if your longest ride is like 50 miles or regent park laps)

Bought both sets of mine for £50 with little amount of previous use. They both came with cleats.
Have never needed anything to do with a C spring whatever that may be.

Have done 0 maintenance in 18 months of daily commuting all weathers, gravel riding, caking them solid in mud and snow last winter. Still spin smooooth.

Yeah I saw people complaing about it sticking out but seems that the contact with the shoe is consequently much better.

Find @Aldersbrook a set for £50 like that and accept responsibility that the cleats are in same condition

I'm surprised no one has repeated the usual "Speedplay are better for your knees" bollocks yet.

Shimano. Unless you prefer Look.

If it’s low weight you’re after then Time Xpresso 15 is light.

The new time pedals are very good. The cleats used to be made of cheese but now they last better than keos and I find the float way more comfy.

Is it only me that finds Look Keo blade too light and not balanced well?
Dura Ace are great, but Keo 2 Max carbon are even better as they cost less then half.
Only problem is everything Look tend to start creaking after a while.

As you didn't complain about prices go for DA and don't Look back.

"Speedplay are better for your knees"

I don’t know how this is a thing

maybe great if your longest ride is like 50 miles or regent park laps

Cycled to Edinburgh and back with no issues.

It's something you do see / hear : "knee-friendly float" etc...