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New Look Keo Flex Clipless Pedal Aimed at Beginners, Still Really Light

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Look Keo Flex beginner road bike clipless pedals

Look Cycle has just released the Keo Flex, an entry level clipless pedal that’s aimed at beginners and casual cyclists (aka commuters) that want just a bit more power in their pedaling.

The Keo Flex uses a one-piece composite body and retention lever, which keeps the weight at a pro-level 122g per pedal. This means there’s no retention force adjustment – it’s preset at 8Nm, about 50% to 75% of their top end Keo Blade pedals. Float adjustment is made by swapping cleats, with models for 0º, 4.5º or 9º.

They rotate on a steel spindle with a single ball bearing and a bushing. It sounds simple, but it’s been tested to 1 million cycles under load just like all of their pedals, and it keeps the cost down. UPDATE: Retail is $59.99.

Look Keo Flex beginner road bike clipless pedals

Shown in the top photo, two side “clips” keep the cleat from slipping out the sides and provide the release. Simply rotate the cleat outward like normal and it’ll depress the clips to release your foot. Keep your foot centered and the integrated lever on the body (the piece normally attached to a spring that bends and catches the cleat) holds it in place and allows for pulling through the pedal stroke like with any other clipless pedal.

We’re waiting to hear back on price but suspect they’ll be cheap. Look already has the Keo Easy, a $70-ish pedal, but the Keo Flex gets a shorter, wider platform and does away with the retention spring.

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14 Comments
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Xris
Xris
11 years ago

Before the Look pedal came out there’s the PD-R540 Light Action which is pretty much the same deal, just no plastic body.

WG
WG
11 years ago

Yeah, but PD-R540 are as heavy as boat anchors. Keo are a nice alternative for those concerned with weight but not willing or unable to spend too much.

Ventruck
Ventruck
11 years ago

I’d be floored to believe the commuter or beginner would care all that much about pedal weight.

As for regard towards design, I’m a bit concerned with how well the integrated “lever” lasts. There’s mention of the pedal working under load for a million cycles, but what about repeated entry/exit? Not that I really would doubt a brand as established as Look, but it just looks like one bad clip-in could damage that part.

Mark
Mark
11 years ago

‘1 million cycles’ may sound like a lot, but it is only 5 thousand km’s. The more expensive KEO’s have already often bearing problems, with just one bearing and a bushing commuting is going to be rather expensive.

earlybird
earlybird
11 years ago

1 million cycles doesn’t say a lot to me either. A commuter who rides 1 hour a day at 90rpm for 250 days a year does well over a million rotations.
1 bearing combined with a bushing is really a bad concept.
Light, strong, cheap. Pick two.

Chris
Chris
11 years ago

SPDs do the same thing and you can walk in them.

Bogwolf
Bogwolf
11 years ago

Got them in store, UK retail price is £39.99, so not much of saving compared to the entry level SPD SL (£44.99). They also appear to use different cleats from the rest of the KEO range, really not sure to be honest especially as Chris has said the SPD is much the better option for the casual/commuter cyclist.

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

So the Keo Easy’s already existed..what makes these special? Are they just the new model of them?

Todd
Todd
11 years ago

Why buy these pedals over Keo Max 2? Both are 8nm of torque. My wife has trouble getting out of her pedals. How come they don’t make a beginner pedal with something like 5-10nm required to release?

CG
CG
11 years ago

Anyone else struck by the notion that “XXX Flex” is really bad naming for bike componentry?

nick
nick
11 years ago

any different than the Keo Easy or whatever they had before? they grey plastic pedals they made….

Chris
Chris
11 years ago

The 1 million cycles is commonly used in engineering when using steel. If the steel axle can sustain a million cycles at a given load, it is considered that the part will have near infinite life at that load. I would make an assumption that a large, established company like look would use a large load for their testing. How many of those million cycles are you putting out your max power?

Bogwolf
Bogwolf
11 years ago

@Chris

That’s probably when your looking at fatigue life, eg, load and unload a set on handlebars, if after 1M cycles there is no sign of fatigue your probably good. Wear durability (as in the bushings) is a different kettle of fish.

ra's al ghul
ra's al ghul
11 years ago

1,000,000 Cycles refers to clip in/out, not rotations.

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