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Keywin pedals - anyone use them?

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:04 pm
by BdaGhisallo
Any of you folks have any knowledge of these pedals? My search for pedals with no lateral float and angular float from the ball of the foot or the toes, and not the heel like spd-sl, has seen these come into view. They look light and sturdy but would still like some first hand feedback.

Many thanks.

Geoff

Keywin pedals - anyone use them?

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:04 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Keywin pedals - anyone use them?

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:17 pm
by martin
BdaGhisallo wrote:Any of you folks have any knowledge of these pedals? My search for pedals with no lateral float and angular float from the ball of the foot or the toes, and not the heel like spd-sl, has seen these come into view. They look light and sturdy but would still like some first hand feedback.
Geoff

I use them the third year and i am very satisfied.

+ inexpensive
+ very light
+ no noise
+ good biodynamics - sole is close to pedal axle
+ large platform
+ with or wihout float

- cleats don't last that long (i use a new set every year / 5-6000km)
- look kinda cheap
- bearings not very high quality
- release is not adjustable

Re: Keywin pedals - anyone use them?

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:20 pm
by Ye Olde Balde One
BdaGhisallo wrote:Any of you folks have any knowledge of these pedals? My search for pedals with no lateral float and angular float from the ball of the foot or the toes, and not the heel like spd-sl, has seen these come into view. They look light and sturdy but would still like some first hand feedback.

Many thanks.

Geoff


I've used them for some years, tried the (lighter) Aerolite pedals earlier this year, and found that I had shin problems and hot spots on longer (+100m) rides so I gave up on them and went back to my Keywins. They are sturdy, and the big platform is a plus if you need/want it.

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:21 pm
by BdaGhisallo
Thanks for the quick reply Martin.


Would you compare the float sensation to any other pedal type in particular? Are they easy to clip in and out of? And how are the cleats to walk in? I don't intend to walk any further than the distance to the front door but I still like a stable cleat to walk on.

Again many thanks.

Geoff

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:28 pm
by martin
BdaGhisallo wrote:Thanks for the quick reply Martin.


Would you compare the float sensation to any other pedal type in particular? Are they easy to clip in and out of? And how are the cleats to walk in? I don't intend to walk any further than the distance to the front door but I still like a stable cleat to walk on.

Again many thanks.

Geoff

the cleats are very bad for walking, similar to Look plates i guess. I always walk down the stairs with my shoes in hands - granite stairs :-)
forgot one "+" - contact area of the cleat is protected, so wear from walking doesnt affect function.

The float feels different -and for me better- than other pedals because its the pedal that moves against the axle, not the cleat against the pedal.
Clipping in is easy once you have learned the move, clipping out is somewhat "undefined" if you compare it to pedals with moving parts like SPD. And you can only leave the pedal in one direction.

Martin

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:06 pm
by bobalou
martin wrote: And you can only leave the pedal in one direction.

Martin


I'm wondering .. if that's the case what is the release like in a crash? I'm thinking safety issue, if it only will release in one direction and your leg doesn't go that direction in a crash. Is this possible problem?

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:39 pm
by martin
bobalou wrote:
martin wrote: And you can only leave the pedal in one direction.

Martin


I'm wondering .. if that's the case what is the release like in a crash? I'm thinking safety issue, if it only will release in one direction and your leg doesn't go that direction in a crash. Is this possible problem?

I crashed two times so far with them, and i was free from the bike when i touched ground, as far as i can tell. I didn't have the feeling the crashes went worse than they could have because i didn't get free from the bike. Everything is better than toestraps and shoeplates :-)

Martin

Use them

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:46 am
by Cyco
I use them on my road track and TT bikes. Great pedals, float feels different to other pedals as it is in the pedal, not betwwen pedal and cleat. There is no centering force on the float, you foot can sit where it wants.

In contrast to Martin I found the cleats last a long time 12-15,000km due the the spots you walk on not being critical to pedal function (Look). Also all the parts are indivdually replacable.

Re: Keywin pedals - anyone use them?

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:00 am
by danielgillett
martin wrote:I use them the third year and i am very satisfied.

+ inexpensive
+ very light
+ no noise
+ good biodynamics - sole is close to pedal axle
+ large platform
+ with or wihout float

- cleats don't last that long (i use a new set every year / 5-6000km)
- look kinda cheap
- bearings not very high quality
- release is not adjustable


I agree, the bearings are of pretty low quality - I know of people who have replaced them with different one's, and they run very well.

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:01 am
by Bruiser
I've heard the cleats are very expensive.

But they are one ofthe pedals I'm looking at.

Brian

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:19 am
by martin
Bruiser wrote:I've heard the cleats are very expensive.

But they are one ofthe pedals I'm looking at.

Brian

i don't remember exactly what the price for the cleats was, but i'm pretty sure it was lower than 20E - around the same money as Looks are.
I'm getting a new set tomorrow - i'll keep you posted!

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:24 am
by Bruiser
That's around the price I heard.

Generic brand look cleats (VP) are available for about half the price here.

Brian

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:16 am
by Frankie - B
Those will not only give you a low price, but also short life and a worse pedal function! stop fooling yourself and stay with the brand!
I had my own experience on shimano mountain pedals. tried cheap cleats and the clipping in and out couldn't be more worse! Got myself back to the shop the next day to get me some new shimano branded cleats!

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:19 am
by Bruiser
OT

I've never had trouble with VP Look cleats.

The patent is 20 years old, it's not the latest design.

Brian

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:19 am
by Weenie

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Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:27 am
by danielgillett
My friend has VP road pedals, and from what he has to say is that they are the worst pedal he has ever used.
-There is very little adjustment