Thread: Best Clipless Pedals?? CB Eggbeaters, Candy or Time/Shimano?

Last "recommendation" thread for a while, I PROMISE!! I really appreciate the help! I want to gather you guys thoughts and purchase "good" gear...

I am a cross country rider in the Southeast with a 2004 Kona Kikapu and I looking to buy my FIRST set of clipless pedals. I have heard that the pedals WILL make a BIG difference! I want a pedal that is easy to get in and out of and that is pretty decent performance wise. My choices thus far are the Crank Brothers Candy SL and Eggbeater SL, the Time Atac XS, and the Shimano M-540's. At first I was really high on the Time Atac's but I think I am leaning towards the Eggbeater SL's. Some have pointed out that there are four clips (2 sides to clip in), etc....Is there a big difference between the Eggbeaters and the Candy's? I know the platform/guard is the main difference. Are the Crank Brothers Pedals fairly easy to learn on? I am a XC rider in the Southeast so the terrain varies.

Also, I just purchased a pair of 661 Stingers (shoes) tonight to go with my pedals. It was between some Answers and the 661's. Anyone had any experience with 661 shoes?

Thanks!!

i hear eggbeaters can release suddenly if you hit a rock with the bottom 2 parts of the cleat.

shimano and look get good reviews

I put the candies on my Prophet about a month ago, its ubelieveable how easy it is to get in and out. havent come out unexpectedly really. These are my second set of pedals, but I only rode on the first for about a month (cannondale Clipless) untill i decided they sucked and i needed an upgrade. I can't comment on how they compare to the other pedals but they Rock

I've ridden a few different versions of the Shimanos over the years and now ride the Time Atacs. I love the Times, hands down. I've beat them up quite a bit but they are still solid and low-maintenance. Also great in mud.

Use the search function and type in "eggbeaters". It will come up with three or four different threads that should help you answer your question.

For what it is worth, I have used the same pair of Time pedals for the last 3 years and can't say a bad thing about them.

Thanks for all of the info. It is now between the Eggbeater SL's and the Time Atac XS...I can get them both for around the same price ($80 w/shipping). Now the hard part is deciding which is best and which will be better for me, an XC rider who has not used clipless pedals before.

I use a VP spd type platform clipless. They are quite similar to a Shimano pedal. They have a nice size platform with serrated edges so you don't have to be clipped in all the time. If I'm on something sketchy like a log I unclip so I can bail in a hurrry if I need to. VP's go for about $50 cdn at MEC, much cheaper Shimano.

eggbeaters are fucking sick. You should get them for sure. SO easy to get in and out of, and I've had very little trouble with them releasing due to an impact. They have a 4 sided entry and are super easu to get in to, you don't even have to think about it. 4 friends I ride with have either been on them for a while or are switching to them this season. get 'em!

Another vote here for Time ATACs. Mine are a couple years old, beat to shit, and i've only changed the cleats once. They still work like the day I bought them. They are a bit heavy, but are simply bomber in mud.

I use the egg beaters and have no complaints. They always stay free of mud etc. Don't have any experiance with the others mentioned though.

Love my Time Atacs.

Egg Beaters stole my heart.

I have heard the eggbeaters may be hard for a beginner on pedals like myself. Now it is between the Candy SL's and the Time ATAC XS pedals. I am leaning towards the Times at this moment. That being said, does anybody know of any good deals ($85 or less) on these pedals? Ebay has them and that may be the route I take as I want to use my Paypal account $$$. Thanks for all of the help!!

Also, for you Time Atac users, how are the adjustments made on the pedals? What angle is easier to "learn" on? Are these adjustments helpful?

Mounting the cleat backwards is supposed to allow for easier entry/exit on Times.

Don't forget, you need to 'break in' pedals. Be patient, sure, you'll probably fall over at an inopportune moment, but it's worth it in the long run, pedaling efficiency is so much better.

Originally Posted by Gaffney10

I have heard the eggbeaters may be hard for a beginner on pedals like myself. Now it is between the Candy SL's and the Time ATAC XS pedals.

Why would Candys be any easier for a beginner than the Eggbeaters? If you are talking in/out release issues, there is no difference, the Candy is just an Eggbeater with a frame around it. If you are talking pressure spots on your feet the Candys will be slightly better, but that affects everyone, not just beginners.

I have seen some deals for Candys at Performance and Supergo, in the yellow color. Not sure if they are the SLs might be the C, but really, there is no performance difference, the SLs just weigh a few grams less.

Unless you have just removed training wheels from your Kona, the learning curve is a non-issue. You will get used to them in 2 rides, if not by the end of your first.

Really though, this shouldn't be that difficult of a decision. You've narrowed it down to two with good feedback on each. Get the one that you can get the soonest and the cheapest.

Originally Posted by Gaffney10

I have heard the eggbeaters may be hard for a beginner on pedals like myself. Now it is between the Candy SL's and the Time ATAC XS pedals. I am leaning towards the Times at this moment. That being said, does anybody know of any good deals ($85 or less) on these pedals? Ebay has them and that may be the route I take as I want to use my Paypal account $$$. Thanks for all of the help!!

Also, for you Time Atac users, how are the adjustments made on the pedals? What angle is easier to "learn" on? Are these adjustments helpful?

Dude, did you check Ebay for the candies, i got mine for 60 bucks.

Originally Posted by scoober

. Not sure if they are the SLs might be the C, but really, there is no performance difference, the SLs just weigh a few grams less.

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The big difference is the stainless steel instead of a cheaper chromed surface.