What Do Ceramic Bearings Add to the Look KEO Blade?

Second from the top of Look's race range, the KEO Blade Ceramic takes the carbon Blade retention system and runs it on ceramic bearings. Look rates those bearings at 18 percent less friction than steel, with a service life four to six times longer. The blade itself replaces the coil spring most pedals use, which is where the weight savings come from: 115 grams per pedal with a carbon body and a Chromoly+ axle. A 705 mm2 stainless steel contact surface spread across 64 mm of width keeps pressure even under the foot, and the 14.8 mm stack height is among the lowest on the market.

The part riders tend to appreciate after the fact is that tension is not fixed. The blade swaps out in under 30 seconds with one tool, across four levels: 8, 12, 16, and 20 Nm. These ship with the 12 Nm installed, which Look pitches at the regular road cyclist doing sporty rides, roughly a 6 kg lateral heel force to release. If you are sprinting and want a firmer hold, move up to 16. Look's own advice is that when you are between two tensions, take the lower one, since moving up later costs nothing but a blade. Choose 53 mm Q Factor for a standard stance or 56 mm if your fit calls for a wider one. Keo Grip cleats are included.