Mud-shedding pedals: Time vs Eggbeater

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I'm considering changing the mud-phobic SPD pedals on my mountain bike soon for something that works a little better in poor weather -- at the moment I'm looking at either Time or Eggbeater pedals.

The Time ATAC Alium pedals are cheaper, but I'm not convinced with the lateral float; in my mind, the side-to-side movement would probably feel a bit insecure and unstable (coupled with the relatively small platform area the pedal appears to have.) Does anyone here who use Time ATACs care to clarify what the lateral float feels like?

The eggbeaters seem to be the de-facto choice for mud-shedding ability, but the complete lack of any pedalling platform doesn't sound like it'll be all that stable for serious out-of-the-saddle ascents (a problem I have with SPDs too.) I see they have brought out a newer "Candy" pedal which includes a platform area, but they are expensive.

Any thoughts?

Links:

Time ATAC Alium (http://www.timesportusa.com/aliumdata.html)
Eggbeater Chrome (http://www.crankbrothers.com/products/pedals_chrome_eggbeater.php)
Eggbeater Candy SL (http://www.crankbrothers.com/products/pedals_candy_sl.php)

I currently ride on the Egg Beaters S....so far so good been on them about a month or so and they feel great.....takes a little getting used to for me first pair of clipless. They are pretty easy to get out of after you get used to them....I assume that previous clipless pedal experience would have helped with that. Have not run into any mud so I cannot comment on mud shedding. I do however wish that I had waited a little bit longer cause I would have liked a little more platform to ride on like what the mallet C provides but oh well. Sorry wish I could be more help but still a newbie to clipless. All in all a good experience except for a few small falls. Here is the mallet C if you are interested, little cheaper than the candies but heavier.

I used Time Atac pedals for a while, but found them very tight. Engaging was no problem once I got the hang of it, but disengaging took a lot of effort, and consequently a bit of knee pain. I had a bit of movement, but not like SPDs. I quite liked them, but my knees could not cope.

I use Time ATAC Alium.
I dislike the inablility to adjust the tension on the springs.
I also dislike the large amount of rotation to release.
You can rotate your cleat to improve the release but eventually the angle of your shoe will change.
Time Alium are heavy (if that is a problem).

I've never used Eggbeaters so i can't say if they do or don't have the same problems.

Brian

The Time gets my vote. However I have not used the aluminum ones. I have a pair of composite and a pair of carbon. The aluminum ones are cheaper and work just as good as the ones I have and only weigh a little more.

If you're a weight-weenie, go with the eggbeaters. I hear good things about them but I have never tried them. I like a platform for when I'm out of the pedal and the 4 sided entry seems like it would allow my shoe to "roll" off of it when not clipped in

I don't know a thing about the other CB eggbeaters. It looks like they have the best of both worlds...4 sided entry and mud-clearing with a platform to boot.

Mud shedding i make it a tie between the Eggbeaters and the Time with the 959s a not so close second.

I have been on Atacs for over 6 years and at this point find the float very natural and a non-issue. Just recently got a pair of EB S. The Atacs require both more effort and rotation to unclip where the EB have a lower spring tension and more Shimano like rotation. In fact at this point on tech climbs or crazy downhills i find myself inadvertently unclipping in the EBs like i do with Shimano pedals, I guess i just gotten used to all that float and rotation of the Times. If you are a recent convert from shimano pedals i would recommend the EB over the Times because the transition would be easier.

I have the Time atac alloy & love em. I came striaght from no cleats to these so a little movement from left to right is no bother for me. Now that I've had them since the start of this winter (Victoria Aust) I've never had a problem with mud build up preventing me loading up, and we see not just mud but clay and it sticks like you know what.

I have Shimano shoes (they cost about $170Au) and they are great with the peddles. As for getting out of em, never a problem, fast release with a twist of the ancle. I like the fact that with a little wear the cleats loosen up but not enough that I've had them release under the strain of riding. I guess they would compare to the Egg beaters with the spead of loading and release. I also like the idea of having my peddles release if I have a big fall and yes I have em.

One small down side, with the little extra L to R movement you may find that your right shoe can catch on your front crank during a straining up hill climb over rough ground thus putting small tears in your shoe. I fixed this by glueing a section of 2ml thick rubber to the rear side of my shoe, It works great, repells any impact and saves the shoe.

Weight: I'm not worried about weight because I don't race and my body weight varies before each ride, so who cares about a couple of grams. In all, for the price the Time atac alloy are great peddles and if mine ever fail i'll be buying another set.

Wizza.

Are you guys using these pedals for XC racing???

Ive been racing the egg beaters for the last year. They are a great pedal, but they wore out pretty quickly. Make sure you buy the new 2003 version, its more expensive, but I think it will last longer, because the seals are better. Oh, and 959s suck... never again.

-percious

I bought the Mallet C's based on the larger platform and the ability to shed mud based on the egg beater style. Love them so far. Being new to clipless, the platform give me a little bit of breathing room on some of the sections where I can't get clipped in right away. I find that I do usually get clipped in later in the section. I also like the ability to ride in my street shoes with my neice.

Okay I never got around to buying new pedals.. spent my cash on a new shock, brakeset and wheelset instead :p

Anyway since my original post, Shimano have brought out their cheapy versions of the 959 pedal.. the 520 and 540, which seem to be a much better design with regard to mud clearing.

Anyone have any experience with these (or the 959, from which their design is based)? The M540 seems to be the smart pick (it's half the price of the basic Times or Eggbeaters, and mere grams off the weight of the ultra expensive 959) and I have a heap of SPD cleats already lying about..

M520 (http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/pedals/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=PD-M520)

M540 (http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/pedals/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=PD-M540)

Originally posted by rek
Okay I never got around to buying new pedals..

I think my ATAC Aliums were one of my better choices. Clunk, you're in. Twist hard in just about any direction and they will let you out. They're not all that expensive either.

Also riding SPD-R's. Not impressed. They seem difficult to clip into. If you don't stay level with your foot, clipping out requires much more effort. Never tried standard SPD's.

I use Time aliums & I'd recommend them. The crank bros pedals are not good value for money. I also wonder about the pedalling surface (as in there is none). Could be a problem with more flexible shoes.

I've found no difficulty in releasing from the times. You can swap the cleats (left to right) to get a smaller release angle.

I do find that you have to be right on top to go in.

Check out last month's issue of Mountain Bike Mag.

They pit 8 (not sure of that #, I'm working off memory here) popular pedals against each other and offer a review for each pedal tested. Personally, I ride ATACs

I use eggbeaters for XC and CX racing. They are prefect. Easy in and out. Best pedal I've ever used.


I do no understand what good a platform is on a pedal... Even after running through sand or deep mud in CX races I have no problem getting in the eggbeaters. Even if I don't get in instantly you can still stand on them and pedal without much loss of performance.

I just purchased some Candy SL's. Moving away from SPD. I just found the SPD's to cumbersome. Easy to get out, but sometimes difficult to line up correctly to get in, especially on rugged trails.

I moved from SPDs to stainless steel eggbeaters. I think they are fantastic pedals. Easy to get in and out of, and they never get mud stuck to them.

I use Time ATAC Alium.
I dislike the inablility to adjust the tension on the springs.
I also dislike the large amount of rotation to release.
You can rotate your cleat to improve the release but eventually the angle of your shoe will change.
Time Alium are heavy (if that is a problem).

I've never used Eggbeaters so i can't say if they do or don't have the same problems.

Brian
Mallet-C rider here.

Egg Beater springs aren't adjustable. Instead, the cleats are polarized for one foot or the other. The default is 15 degrees. If you reverse them, you get 20 degrees.

It was still too much for me, so I did the trick where you point your cleat towards the big toe.

But if you do go platform, the egg-beater inside the mallet is well-recessed and not nearly as obtrusive as as the Time platforms.

I love my Atacs. I've beat the crap out of em and they keep coming back. And I got them on sale for $50. There has been ONE instance where I had trouble clicking in, and it was after riding all day through limestone clay mud. It started to dry towards the end of the day, cementing itself to my shoe. It took 2 months to get the mud off my bike, thats how nasty that crap was.

That said, I just picked up a pair if Candy C's for $50 online (theyre everywhere for $50, if you want white or yellow) I use em on my tri bike. Click in and out real easy. Both pedals are instinctive and easy to use. The atacs need a little breaking in/ brain adjustment, but theyre great once ya get the hang of em.

Mud shedding i make it a tie between the Eggbeaters and the Time with the 959s a not so close second.

I have been on Atacs for over 6 years and at this point find the float very natural and a non-issue. Just recently got a pair of EB S. The Atacs require both more effort and rotation to unclip where the EB have a lower spring tension and more Shimano like rotation. In fact at this point on tech climbs or crazy downhills i find myself inadvertently unclipping in the EBs like i do with Shimano pedals, I guess i just gotten used to all that float and rotation of the Times. If you are a recent convert from shimano pedals i would recommend the EB over the Times because the transition would be easier.
Egg beaters are a bit like chinese shoe traps. The springs are effectively loose. But the motion of pulling up on the cleat actually tightens them.