This is my first set of black Keo cleats. I have not noticed a substantial difference when clipping out. Maybe I clip out a little sooner. You MUST use cleat condoms if you do any walking with these on pavement because you will wear them down quickly. The cleats that have the walking bits don't wear much better and you can't get them with the bi-material. Even with those, you should use covers if you are going to be walking much. Bottom line, these cleats aren't made for walkin" (apologies to Nancy Sinatra) they are for cycling and I have been using Look Keo cleats for 13 years without any other complaints.
Look cleats are still rather pricey for mass-produced plastic things but they come in a nice box with a really thick manual and pretty decent screws. I've tried the grip version but clicks and squeaks should not accompany a ride.
Put these on your shoes, clip in, and enjoy many miles. Unless you're a frequent walker (the horror!), these cleats will easily last a season. If they don't, you walk in your cycling shoes too much. Take them off and slip on flip-flops like every cyclist with a notion of decency.
These are a direct replacement for the worn-out set. Easily mount in the same location on the shoe and the bi-material makes getting in and out of the pedal easy.
I like the small amount of float that the gray cleat offers.
These function pretty well. A tad too easy to disengage from the pedal, for my tastes, but I could probably adjust my pedal to improve that. The real downside here is when walking in these cleats. My home has hardwood floors and walking with these on hardwood is hazardous - more slippery than on ice. My remedy, so far, has been to walk with the rubber heels of my cycling shoes always in contact with the floor first. It's awkward. It's slow. But it keeps me from slipping and falling. If only my pedal-based power meter would work with Shimano cleats!
I've never had a problem with Look's replacement cleats before, but this time one of them broke. The toe bit up front cracked then broke off. I've been riding look pedals since about 1990 and this is the first time that happened. My LBS had an off brand pair that I've used before. I prefer the Looks, but now I have a spare.
I prefer these bi-material cleats to the ones with the rubberplastic walking inserts. The inserts are worn out a month after I get them so I prefer these as they are less expensive and I can clip in and out easier. Invest in a pair of cleat covers. They will wear quickly if you don't use cleat covers and you are walking on asphalt, concrete or gravel. The cleat covers are good for at least a couple of years, maybe longer. I am happy with the amount of float in the greys as compared to the red or black.
Great price, I prefer the most float I can get with LOOKs, the teflon material on the binding surface seem to make the float smoother, beware non-LOOK cleats, they often don't meet the proper size tolerances needed for good engagement and release.
I've always been using the (slightly more expensive, it turns out) 'grip' version of these cleats. I didn't pay attention when ordering, but I now know the difference! Does the job on the bike, but I much prefer the grip version even for short hallway walks on tiles... Will make sure I get the right version next time )
When I first started cycling about nine years ago, I equipped my bike with Shimano Ultegra pedals. A couple of years ago, I got a deal on some Look Keo Carbon pedals and put them on my other bike. Both brands are very reliable, but in the future I will go with the Look Keo. Good pedals are not cheap, and the Keo pedals seem to often beat Shimano on price. They are also lighter in weight. Pedals, at least mine, seem to last forever, but the cleats don't. Keo cleats go on sale, but I rarely see great sales on Shimano cleats. I recently bought two sets of Keo cleats from BTD at [$] each set. Shimano replacement cleats are currently on sale through BTD at [$]. I realize that riders have personal preferences. Both cleat sets have about a 4 1/2 star review rating - you decide.
