# What I'm giving up with older stuff: Look Delta pedals **URL:** \ **Category:** Tech\ **Tags:** road\ **Created:** [September 22, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939 "2026-09-22T20:09:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/drtallrider/32/4402_2.png) [@DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/DrTallRider)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/1 "2026-09-22T20:09:04Z")
I ride mostly older stuff, not as an Eroica purist, but because I don’t race, built out some of my stable and parts bin as a poor graduate student, generally dislike consumerism and am okay eschewing some of the diminishing-marginal-returns-for-cost game. But I am interested to quantify some of the gains I’m leaving on the table. (For the record, I also own a mountain bike with a slack HA and hydraulic disc brakes. My second and third times doing Eroica rides I used freehub, newer-style aero brake levers, and bar-end shifters that hadn’t been set to friction mode.) For awhile I’ve been meaning to look into what-advantages-I’m-missing-out-on with road pedals. I started out on Look delta cleats in high school, and ended up accumulating plenty of that pedal system. I use red (9-deg float) cleats. Thanks to the summary on the most recent Geek Warning, here’s what I’m looking at: **Stack Height** Less difference than I expected. Based on a quick Google AI query, Look Delta system’s stack height is barely more than SPD-SL (non-Dura-Ace tier) and Look Keo (non-Blade series). I’m skeptical that stack height has significant pedaling-efficiency gains, and the differences here are small enough that I’d be surprised if there’s a measurable effect on biomechanical tracking from stack height itself. ![Screenshot 2026-09-22 125416](https://community.escapecollective.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/de54710d7e60b045a25b697b7aa38063c81630f7.png) Significant stack height gains can have aero impact by lowering the rider, but I’m not very aero on the bike anyway. Maybe there’s more to gain by cornering clearance, but I’m mostly riding the frames (and BB heights) that I already have, usually with wider tires, albeit wider-stance with pedal washers and also 180mm cranks. But I’m not maxing my pedaling-through-corners anyway. **Cleat durability** SPD-SL cleats are designed to be more durable (and less slippy) while walking than the only-plastic red Look cleats I use. I’ve always carried cleat covers on rides for my safety and cleat durability when walking around. A bit more pfaff, but my cleats are plenty durable. **System stability** It’s harder to find clear data on this, and I’d imagine Look Delta cleats/pedals have less precise interface, but it’s also dramatically more stable than my walkable-recessed-SPD option. **Weight** Some difference, and matters more b/c it’s rotating weight, but in the context of big legs and size-13 (48) shoes, pedals are a small component. **Pedal Durability** SPD-SL has a great track record, but as mentioned above, I have plenty of spare Look Delta system pedals, and the tool to remove the bearings and clean/regrease. **Conclusion** It seems that the gains from SPD-SL are more marginal than I’d expected and/or the Look Delta system held up better than I expected. The biggest practical thing is not having to carry cleat covers. Am I missing some important factor here? Or, should I accumulate a bunch of SPD-SL pedals now that the bleeding-edge folks are gonna be chasing that extra 2.3mm reduction in stack height? 😉 ![_IMG_2114_LR-RAW](https://community.escapecollective.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f6e4b914786ca102a80ffed3df9dc54bfc4fa94c.jpeg) ![StephenB_20241012_135559](https://community.escapecollective.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/43779d0eebb41cb7d4ffcb410b9f3283782d8065.jpeg) ![PXL_20240724_021305979](https://community.escapecollective.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/404b325a6861dd51d5f2928d9ba014c6cfe417e1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_M](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/martin_m/32/3563_2.png) [@Martin\_M](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Martin_M)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/2 "2026-09-22T20:34:28Z")
I expect robust discussion here, but I find very little riding difference between SPD-SL and Keo setups. I maybe prefer SPD-SL for clipping in by a small margin, and I find Shimano pedals easier to service. I rode Deltas recently on an older bike, and the platform felt bigger underfoot. I’m size 12/47, so not quite as big as you, but it was reassuring. Most Delta-type pedals these days will be quite a bit heavier than other options, and the ones I have offer less cornering clearance. Another consideration might be an eventual switch to a power meter pedal. ---
**Author:** ![DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/drtallrider/32/4402_2.png) [@DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/DrTallRider)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/3 "2026-09-22T22:31:54Z")
> [@Martin\_M](#): > > Most Delta-type pedals these days will be quite a bit heavier than other options, and the ones I have offer less cornering clearance. > > Another consideration might be an eventual switch to a power meter pedal. Thanks Martin! It’s nice to hear a recent comparison on the feel of Delta compared to Keo or SPD-SL. Yeah, if I decide to get power-meter pedals I’d definitely switch to a more recent platform (but probably not SPD-SLR). And the weight diff isn’t nothing, along with being in a more-effect spot because of crankset rotation. But the system effect for me (192 lb / 87 kg) is probably a small proportion. I doubt the cornering clearance would matter for me, and I rarely pedal through significant bike lean, but maybe there’s some probabilistic value in decreasing the chance of a pedal-strike crash. Adding the best pic I have of Look pedals + visible cleats. This is the build that snuck through two Eroica events by looking mostly-properly-vintage. The frame is has somewhat more modern components now. ![IMG_2745_LR-RAW](https://community.escapecollective.com/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5f8a74150657d6a75cd908f2e29c95fdfa9c7b32.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Gregory\_Thomas](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/gregory_thomas/32/3386_2.png) [@Gregory\_Thomas](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Gregory_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/4 "2026-09-23T01:24:11Z")
If you haven’t had issues with the Delta system so far, then maybe this isn’t a concern, but the Delta design had one significant flaw. Pulling back on the cleat could override the spring of the door and unlatch your foot. The Keo system and pretty much every road system since (and all Time road pedals including their first one) have a lip to the forward part of the cleat that prevents this type of unwanted unclipping. The front of the cleat steps down and rests in front of the pedal platform when clipped in. Any backwards foot force is caught by the lip, and no pressure is transferred to the door. ---
**Author:** ![DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/drtallrider/32/4402_2.png) [@DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/DrTallRider)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/5 "2026-09-23T02:17:33Z")
> [@Gregory\_Thomas](#): > > the Delta design had one significant flaw. Pulling back on the cleat could override the spring of the door and unlatch your foot That’s good to know, and a real (and easy-to-understand) improvement. I’ve only had my foot unclip once unexpectedly (at 58 mph while descending Tioga Pass; it scared me but didn’t affect my handling), but I don’t think I was putting out much power at the time and always assumed the unclip was more float/swivel-related. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen\_Poole](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/stephen_poole/32/3353_2.png) [@Stephen\_Poole](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Stephen_Poole)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:04am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/6 "2026-09-23T04:04:11Z")
FWIW: I had the Dura-Ace equivalent of the Deltas, and with the spring tension set low enough that I could enter and exit reasonably easily I could feel my feet moving back against the springs on climbs. I never unclipped but often wondered if I might - this was very annoying! YMMV. I also vastly preferred the lower stack of Time pedals, but the Looks, and SPD-SL, are much simpler to get into. Road cleats are all painful to walk in though, even briefly so I’ve given up on them entirely. ---
**Author:** ![DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/drtallrider/32/4402_2.png) [@DrTallRider](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/DrTallRider)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:21am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/7 "2026-09-23T04:21:16Z")
Nice to hear from you on this, Stephen. I have a pair of early-90s DA pedals, but never used them because they’re significantly heavier. I switched to walkable recessed-cleat SPD for most of my road riding for many years, and eventually switched back to Delta because the stability against side-to-side tilt (varus/valgus) is just so much better. Next time I see a bike fitter, I’ll ask about whether this matters much for my biomechanics. ---
**Author:** ![Wingnut](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/wingnut/32/4478_2.png) [@Wingnut](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Wingnut)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/8 "2026-09-23T04:53:27Z")
I don’t know if my response is of any help. I used to ride TIME pedals in the late 80’s & 90’s before I went to Speedplay seeking reduced stack height and weight loss, then back to TIME RXS and then onto Shimano before returning to TIME XPRO pedals on my road bike. I use Favero Assioma SPD’d on my gravel bike currently. In all honesty after all these years I find seeking the lowest stack height a waste of time, it just doesn’t seem that important to me anymore. I personally love the float of the current TIME pedals and I have a crank based power meter on my road so I stick with them. The Favero Assioma’s on my gravel bike work great, parts are easily replaced. My only complaint is the lack of and type of float with SPD cleats compared to the TIME’s. I used the LOOK Delta’s briefly in 1990 when Laurent Fignon started riding them but the LOOK float didn’t compare to TIME’s back then. Stack height was never an issue for me. If you like the LOOK delta’s just stay with them. For the first time ever I’m considering just using SPD pedals for road, gravel and mtb all round…I think I’m getting old. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_M](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/martin_m/32/3563_2.png) [@Martin\_M](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Martin_M)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/9 "2026-09-23T21:18:40Z")
I am on the SPD all the time program now. Basically no regrets. ---
**Author:** ![thejackamo](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/thejackamo/32/9210_2.png) [@thejackamo](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/thejackamo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-im-giving-up-with-older-stuff-look-delta-pedals/5939/10 "2026-09-24T14:46:31Z")
If you want to ditch covers but maintain grip while walking, maybe switch to Look Keo and get a set of [the Vibram cleats](https://www.vibram.com/se/cycling/vibram-xs-road-cleat/Z211_Grey.html). Small bonus is that the shape similarity between Delta and Keo should make maintaining cleat position on your shoes a bit easier.