SPD vs Egg Beater

[FatTire]

I have a pair of spd peddles, I am considering switching to egg beaters. I tend to ride on more technical trails. Are egg beaters easier to get out of than spd style?

[dirtrider2]

Depends what you mean by tech, but for rocky tech, I use Time Z's and love 'em. Egg beaters are not meant for bashing into rocks, and offer no platform.

Dave

[C.P.]

Depends...

Shimano spd's have a wide range of release tension spring adjustment, all at the same fixed release angle (I think 13 or 15 Degrees) and a fixed 4 degrees of float, however it depends which cleats you have. There are two types of cleats offered by Shimano, "single release mode" and "multiple release mode" (http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/Pedals/PD_M515/SI-42Z0E-En_v1_m56577569830612322.pdf). You may want to check that first.

The Eggbeaters (similar to Time's) only have two release angle settings, both at the same spring tension (spring tension is not adjustable)and ±5° float, unrestricted for first 5°, Spring self centering after 5°. To change release angle setting, swap cleats from one shoe to the other...the release angles are something like 15 & 20 degrees.

FWIW, I run Times also...

[Evil Chocula]

Time

[jdm]

I never have trouble getting in or out when I want to. my only complaint with my shimano 520s is unintended releases (usually at just the wrong time).

[Gimpy00Wang]

In my opinion SPD, Crank Bros, and Time pedals are all pretty easy to get out of. The trick is getting used to a given setup. I've got Egg Beaters and Candies on my bikes and I like 'em. I've been tempted to try out Speedplay a few times though. I'm just rambling...

- Chris

[Tim Mailloux]

Back when I was riding clipless I couldn't tell any difference in release between SPDs and the egg beater style setup. What I did notice was that the egg beater style was much nicer on my knees due to the extra float. I have since fallen in love with platforms pedals and no longer ride clipped in.

[kmdmac]

I've used both SPD and Crank Bros pedals extensively.

these days I prefer the Eggs.

both have plus and neg attributes. the reason I'm using the eggs is consistency. as the cleat wears with the SPD, I've found it's harder to both clip in and release. also the SPD requires more care to keep them clean and lubed.

Crank pedals, on the other hand, as the cleat wears it becomes easier to clip out but no real difference in getting in. the disadvantage here is the untimely release. not always a lot of fun. another negative is if you step down on a rock with the bottom of the pedal, you will release. this being due to the design of how the retention works.

Crank pedals really require zero upkeep other than a rebuild kit once a year or so. they also are awesome in snow and mud and just don't clog up. the SPDs, not so much!

one thing that turns people off the CBs is the feel of the clip in. there is not much of any mechanical clunk or snap to let you know you're in. myself, I'm used to it.

with my experience and that of other folks that I know, if I had to start from scratch, I'd likely go the Time pedal route. they will cost you, though. Crank Bros can be had for a better price.

within the CB line, I'd recommend the Eggbeater SL. much better built than the cheaper options. I'm not so wild about my Candy's, they don't have the same mud/snow shedding properties. just got some Mallet 2's but haven't formed an opinion on them yet, only one ride. the big platform is pretty nice though.

hope this ramble helps...

kmd

[Yeti_Ken]

Time.

[Longshanks]

I used eggbeaters when I first went clipless and broke 3 pairs on rocky trails in one year. Switched to SPD and have never broken a pair. Just my experience.

[Aging Wannabee]

Time has an atac pedal with adjustable release. I have used SPD's egg beaters, crank Bro. Mallets, and now Time atac Z. I like the Times the best. Regular egg beaters suck for technical if you clip out & dab like I do. I need something with a platform. The Mallets provided that, but I kept getting launched out of the pedal when it hit a rock from underneath.

[oldiemouldie]

I use Froggies. Had a couple different sets of spuds but had trouble getting out. Still had trouble even with Frogs until I finally realized that the screws in my ankle prevent me from turning outward far enough to release. I set the frog cleats at an angle and have been happy for years. If you like the free-floating feel (i do) they're great.

[dirtrider2]

I ran the frogs for years and loved them too except for two problems. The cleats cost more than twice as much as Time cleats (and they wore out fast), plus I kept breaking the plastic bodies on rocks. They were entirely rebuildable, but they just couldn't take a pounding like the Times can.

Dave

[woody7795]

when you guys say "times" are you talking about the time atac Z's? are they similar to the cb mallets? i had mallets and liked them alot. which are easier and more reliable times or cb's?

[C.P.]

when you guys say "times" are you talking about the time atac Z's? are they similar to the cb mallets? i had mallets and liked them alot. which are easier and more reliable times or cb's?

Any time "atac" mtb pedal, they all use the same cleat. The "Z" is just a platform style pedal with atac.
Time Z is my pick over cb mallet...

[LeonD]

I started with SPDs years ago. When they kept getting clogged up with mud and ice I made the switch to Time pedals.

I've never had a problem with the Time and would highly recommend them.

[Aging Wannabee]

when you guys say "times" are you talking about the time atac Z's? are they similar to the cb mallets? i had mallets and liked them alot. which are easier and more reliable times or cb's?


That's exactly what I mean. I think there's an atac Z that is adjustable too. Mine are not. The Z platform is similar to the mallet. Less square and flat, but definitely platform-y. It has slightly rounded surfaces to guide your foot on, like an SPD. It's pretty much in-between. I like em cuz they work.

[redridercr250r]

rocks destroyed my 2 sets of cb eggbeaters on fomba and fort rock trails last summer. I was thinking of getting spd pedals but all this talk of time pedals has me thinking, I'll try those instead.

[peterdbikes]

time z... 5 yrs and still going strong

[jamishead]

Been racing for 12 years now.
Started off on Time ATACs for a few years which afford a sensation of a deck when not clipped in. Still, I found that the molded plastic wears with miles and clearing mud was always a bit problematic. The also require that you click in from one side or the other.
I then went with SPDs for a couple of seasons and got frustrated with their mud clearing/failure when in muddy conditions. They have to be oriented on one of two sides as well.
Then I found the beauty of eggbeaters. They click in anywhich way, clear mud very well and I rebuild them with a super simple kit for $15. They are also much lighter than SPDs and ATACs. SL pedals can be had for about $65, which makes them cheap too. I own 1 x Ti, 3x Ti and 4xTi and SLs. I rebuild them all and they last. Sometimes they seem tight on the first two rides, but that quickly disappears. Using the spacer on tight fits is key. I have never had a failure, weight 165 and they have taken some serious smashes.

[fog86]

My experience is similar to that of Jamishead. Went through 2 pair of Time ATAC Alium's in one season (the aluminum body easily deforms when mashed against rocks/roots, making it difficult to clip in) and then bought 2 pair of the 1st gen eggbeaters, one for mtb use and one for road use. I've been riding those same two pair for ~5 years now. With periodic maintenance (disassemble/clean/relube), I've only had to rebuild the mtb pair once and the road pair are still running smooth on the original bearing and seal. Only complaint is that they (like the Time's) wear 2 grooves into the bottom of shoes, eventually requiring new shoes. After wasting two pairs of shoes, I purchased a set of stainless shims from Crank Bros. I thought clipping onto a metal shim would feel awkward, but I couldn't tell the difference after the 1st couple of rides. I've had the shims in for ~6 months. So far, so good.

-Will

[FatTire]

Sounds like SPD 540 or Time Atac Pedals may be the way to go. Does anyone have a lightly used pair out there they are willing to part with?

[jamishead]

My experience is similar to that of Jamishead. Went through 2 pair of Time ATAC Alium's in one season (the aluminum body easily deforms when mashed against rocks/roots, making it difficult to clip in) and then bought 2 pair of the 1st gen eggbeaters, one for mtb use and one for road use. I've been riding those same two pair for ~5 years now. With periodic maintenance (disassemble/clean/relube), I've only had to rebuild the mtb pair once and the road pair are still running smooth on the original bearing and seal. Only complaint is that they (like the Time's) wear 2 grooves into the bottom of shoes, eventually requiring new shoes. After wasting two pairs of shoes, I purchased a set of stainless shims from Crank Bros. I thought clipping onto a metal shim would feel awkward, but I couldn't tell the difference after the 1st couple of rides. I've had the shims in for ~6 months. So far, so good.

-Will
I get that wear issue too after two seasons on them. I didn't know they had SS shims- perfect solution....! Thanks Will.

[Baileybi]

I have been riding times for over 10 years. Originally the flatter old school time atacs. I have used them in all conditions and find them excellent. Just rode on Thursday, 12/31 in 3-5 inches of snow and they were great. I would highly recommend them.

[adrnalin69]

I agree with kmdmac on almost everything. The only difference between us is that I ended up with SPDs. Plus I have some feedback to add.

I have used every pedal system out there. I love the Crank Bros stuff. They feel really good and and I loved the float. The were very consistent (until...) and shed mud very well. I owned CBs for 3/4 years and had many pairs. Each style but mostly the Candies.

I ended back on SPDs because I was sick and tired of having to by new pedals every season. The retention bars on all CBs get smashed very easily. When they get smashed, that consistency I spoke of earlier goes out the window. They become bent and sticky. The don't clip in easily and sometimes trap you in. Plus they tend to need service every season. And depending on the type of rider you are and how techy the trails are you may wear them out completely beyond an annual service.

The Shimanos do have their downsides. But with the new more open design they tend to shed mud/snow much better than they used to. They retention mechanism doesn't break/bend as easily and I don't think I have ever had the body of the pedal explode on my SPDs like I did with some Candies.

The times are a mix of the two pedals. More durable retention system than the CBs and better mud shedding than the SPDs. The bearing life is a little better than CBs and the Bodies tend to hold up pretty well but not as well as the SPDs

I hope all these opinions that you are getting don't make your head spin. I would try to find a friend that has the pedal you want with a shoe size that is similar and try his stuff out for a ride at your favorite spot. Then go from there.

[Slappy]

I've ended up with SPDs and think I'll be sticking with them.
I liked the carbon Times, but they're awful pricey. The aluminum ones are probably okay if you stay away from rocks, but I trashed two sets of them in a season and that was pretty much it for me and Times.

SPDs, I'd have to say I avoid any of the ones with the platforms. The original red 636s were great, and I still hunt those down once in awhile for my DH bike, but all the ones after that I've had issues with them pretty much falling apart.