Technical analysis and preview tests for these pedals significantly improved compared to the previous version. More aerodynamic shapes, a much larger support surface and revised weight distribution place the current Keo Blades at the top in performance. Three versions in the catalogue.
Look today presented the new Keo Blade pedals, an evolution of the legendary Blade Carbon, released in 2011 and capable of revolutionizing the locking concept by eliminating the retention springs, and with them a bit of weight, replacing them with a carbon blade placed on the center of the pedal.
Characteristic elements of the Blade pedals are the ultra-light design combined with a large support surface to guarantee optimal power transmission which translates into more efficient pedaling.
For the development of the new Keo Blade, the Look designers worked together with the four Pro Tour teams of which they are suppliers, following ideas and requests born from those who travel thousands of kilometers a year, to arrive at a product of excellence in all aspects.
The evolution of shapes and materials has led to an expansion of the support surface which now measures 705 mm2, allowing a uniform distribution of the pressure exerted by the foot. The support surface is made up of three stainless steel plates and with its width it reduces unwanted movements and rocking during pedaling, minimizing the risks of inflammation and tendon pain with any type of sole.
The study of the shapes conducted by Look technicians also impacted the purely aerodynamic function. The front section of the pedal is designed to soften the transition areas and reduce the aerodynamic resistance of the pedal, the blade follows and integrates into the body of the pedal which forms a single whole with the shoe.
The weight distribution has been revised to facilitate rotation during engagement with a declared improvement of 60%, in addition to the feeling of greater safety provided by the spring both during engagement and release. At the rear of the pedal the locking cradle has been revised and improved to increase grip on the cleat and eliminate some wear problems noted on the previous version.
The attention to detail or to the so-called “marginal gains” continues for these pedals with the adoption of a new type of lubricating grease, which is smoother and lasts longer over time, ceramic bearings (for the two Ceramic versions) and a pin in titanium (only on the Ceramic Ti version) which allows you to limit the weight of a pair of pedals to below 200 grams.
Technical Analysis
The Look Keo Blade pedals have a newly developed carbon body that combines greater structural rigidity with aerodynamic shapes. The design presents a closed structure that joins the two sides of the pedal and forms two trays placed in front and behind the support area, the latter has been enlarged compared to the previous model, especially in its central portion. The diameter of the bearings has been increased, as has their housing which goes from 22 to 25.2 mm. The elastic retention blade, also in carbon, is housed in the lower part, invisible from above.
The support surface has been increased to 705 mm2. At its widest point it measures 67 mm with a maximum depth of 26 mm. In practice it ensures contact on the entire useful part of the cleat, 64mm wide, even during rotation. The Q factor is 53 mm, the stack 14.8 mm.
Look offers three versions of the Keo Blade pedals. The first has a Chromoly+ axis (an alloy of steel and chromium-molybdenum), traditional steel ball bearings, carbon blade with tension level 8, declared weight 115 grams each, retail price €145 per pair.
The second version is called Keo Blade Ceramic and differs from the first in terms of the bearings in ceramic material and the carbon blade with tension level 12. Declared weight for a pedal is 115 grams, retail price €210 per pair.
The third version, Keo Blade Ceramic Ti, is similar to the second but has a titanium axle and a carbon retention blade with a tension level of 16. Declared weight for a pedal is 95 grams, retail price €310 per pair. However, for all three pedals a carbon blade with a tension level of 20 is available in the aftermarket, therefore much more rigid.
Our Test
In the editorial office we have been using the new Keo Blade Ceramic for a month, to date we have traveled more than 500 kilometres. The weight we detected coincides with that declared by the company, 115 grams each. During the tests we wore specific shoes for the winter cold so as to always have warm feet with an identical fit to summer shoes and the same stiffness of the sole. We mainly rode on a Look 795 Blade 2 to test the pedals together with a bike of the same level. For completeness of information we have mounted them on three other high-end bikes. The routes chosen included the climbs of the Desio-Bergamo stage of the Giro Under 23, the Giro di Lombardia and the Coppa Agostoni.
In the hands the new Keo Blades immediately give the feeling of great lightness. Most of the weight is concentrated in the larger diameter bearing housing, the rest is distributed evenly in the support surface and in the retention system.
The engagement is improved compared to the predecessors and the behavior is also different, thanks to the different weight distribution the pedal does not have the tendency to go vertical and as soon as the shoe is approached it is almost always in the optimal engagement position.
The cleats engage with a sharp, clearly noticeable click, the locking is firm and consistent. If you use cleats with an angle of freedom, rotation of the shoe is possible in a smooth but controlled manner.
The release always requires a certain release force but the maneuver is quick and safe. With new pedals and cleats all this is normal, we wanted to test worn cleats, almost to the point of wear, obtaining the same sensation. The shoe, and the foot, always remain firmly on the pedal.
The support has changed, certainly for the better. The larger dimensions of the useful surface distribute the pressure exerted by the foot more uniformly, the shoe-cleat-pedal system becomes a single body, designed to express power, large and comfortable for comfort, wide and safe to give safety and precision in the control of the bikes.
During push, flat and uphill phases, the increased support surface reveals all its usefulness and comfort. An evolution is felt in the application of force, the pressure is distributed homogeneously over a larger area. A large, solid surface is pushed which gives everyone a more effective pedal stroke, an ideal condition for those who express a lot of watts.
Being able to count on a wider foot support instils safety, especially when going downhill, and makes riding more fluid and dynamic. The control, via the pedals, is more precise, refined and allows you to steer the bike through bends with the help of pressure and foot movements. The wider support surface also allows you to better perceive the limit of the tires during bends.
– Look website
Article and photos by Sergio Doria