Look Kéo Blade carbon pedals

Look ditch the usual coil spring in favour of a flexible carbon leaf spring on their new high-end Keo Blade carbon pedals, and the result is a superbly positive action and a very light weight.

It’s a pretty simple change, really. The cleat retaining mechanism – the back end of the pedal – still pivots and snaps around your cleat in the same way as before, it’s just that the tension is now provided by a short, bowing strip of carbon fibre. You don’t get any adjustment but the blade comes in two types with differing tensions – the standard is 12Nm, but the 16Nm version is available at exactly the same price.

Clipping in and out is really easy, snappy and clear-cut – you always know if you’re engaged or not. It’s totally secure too; we never pulled a foot out accidentally when giving it the beans on steep climbs or sprints.

The Kéo Blade Carbon has a pedal platform that’s 31% larger than the existing Kéo Carbon’s, and it’s 17% wider for a slightly more stable feel that you notice most when you’re riding out of the saddle. A stainless steel plate across the contact area adds durability to the long carbon-fibre pedal body while the oversized titanium axle spins super-smooth on triple bearings – two roller bearings and a needle bearing. Oh, and the weight? 190g for the pair – mega-light.

We’ve really got nothing negative to say about these pedals so far. We don’t know about the long-term durability of the carbon fibre blade yet, but Look reckon they’ve done their homework and it will continue performing from now until Doomsday without the need for replacement. We’ll let you know if things don’t turn out that way. It’s just the price that might make you flinch.

Verdict

Stable, super-light and secure with a positive entry and release – but they’ll cost you.