Mountain Biking - Eggbeaters.

Phoned my LBS to see how my Gemini 1000 is doing - that is, is it still mounted on its display log, looking pretty, that sort of thing. We got talking about pedals, something I overlooked. I'd been reading about the Eggbeaters and I'm thinking of having a set of those fitted, but have any of you guys used them? And what do you think of them?

For some reason, Cannondale don't offer any pedals as I guess that's a personal thing. Any comments from you folk appreciated - as always.

Eggbeaters are incredible - I have them on my XC and cyclocross bikes. I have never used a better pedal. However, the Gemini is a freeride/DH style rig, tiny little pedals that require stiff shoes might not be the best choice. I used Time ATACs on my freeride bike for about a year, but recently swiched to platforms - a much better choice. The platforms coupled with shoes with sticky soles allow me to ride much better - a little slower climbing, but awsome on the DH.

I have them on my XC and cyclocross bikes. I have never used a better pedal. However, the Gemini is a freeride/DH style rig, tiny little pedals that require stiff shoes might not be the best choice

Taking this a step further - what is the main difference as you see it where XC/cyclocross warrant Eggbeaters, but freeride/DH need platform pedals? From where I sit, is it not dictated by riding style/attitude?

Upto now, I'd thought of XC and freeride as similar activities. I'm not going to do cyclocross/DH as you know it, so freeride is more appropriate but I'm a little confused about the shoe/pedal issue.

My road bike had a pair of 'skinny' Shimano pedals and my shoe was almost too thin and bendy. The pedals never gave me any trouble at all, but sometimes the shoes were almost too unsuitable. In a sense, I can see a cross-over of using Eggbeaters with a stiffer show for a type of ride where both seem unsuited to the task? :confused:

When I "freeride" I usally slowly ride to the top of hill or mountain and ride down. When I ride down I hit drops up to 12 feet and doubles (jumps) up to 25 feet, steep chutes/slopes, and much technical up down stuff. With clipless (i.e. eggbeaters) I ran the risk of "unclipping" in the air, or on a chute - when this happens there in no good way to clip back in untill the stunt is over - at which point I'd probably be some place other than on my bike. With platforms (especially the ones with adjustible spikes) there is a good connection with the bike, but can be severed and reconnected very easly (i.e. berms, sketchy slopes, one footed can-cans), if your foot comes off just put it back on. If your going to be riding more XC type stuff with your Gemini, eggbeaters would be great, but if your gonna go big and scary or even plan to, then platforms would be the ticket.

...back to the pedals themselves......

I've tried them. They were good. I think that if you are used to SPDs, you'll love them. (that statement is based on talking to lots of people and reading lots of posts).

Personally, I'm a FROG girl - and LOVE them. So I went back to them and gave the eggbeaters to my husband - who loves them!

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
[BSo I went back to them and gave the eggbeaters to my husband - who loves them! [/B]

So far I do! I need to get used to clipping out of them. They are tighter than SPD's, and there isn't a lot of float, both of which I like.

The Egg Beaters are more of a XC pedal. I use them and love them, but I wouldn't recommend them for freeriding. I would suggest a platform style for better footing after landing big drops.

<------another satisfied Crank Bros customer

Thanks guys. The pedal/shoe issue is now resolved. I'm certainly not going into the scary movie stuff, though I might try some limited stunts as my confidence builds up. I can now see why the extreme riders prefer platform pedals but I see myself graduating somewhere in the middle of the soft-trail-rider and the hard-core-twig-jumper!

just want tp put in my opinion in on the eggbeaters. THEY ROCK!

just want tp put in my opinion in on the eggbeaters. THEY ROCK!

I can't vouch for that just yet! I get my bike in 2 weeks, and I rushed to a LBS today, and I bought a new pair of boots and a set of Eggbeaters in anticipation of the big day! What I did note is just how 'sexy' they look! There is a simplicity about them which makes you wonder why noone thought of them before - considering how many years clipless pedals have been around. Like they say, save the best for last!

I really like the engineering that goes into them, and they almost look too good to want to use, the sort of thing you'd keep on your desk at play with them.

:)

Originally posted by Bokkie


I can't vouch for that just yet! I get my bike in 2 weeks, and I rushed to a LBS today, and I bought a new pair of boots......

:)

you bought boots?

british and american are two very different languages

Well said Cdude!

Cherriho!

british and american are two very different languages :D

Indeed they are. By boots, I mean Shimano mtb shoes! I'm used to another form of english, ESSA (English Speaking South African) and I regularly get mocked because I call a pavement a sidewalk, a motorway a freeway, a traffic light a robot and many other words. When I said boots, I should have course of used the S'Effrican equivalent, "tackies".

:thumbup:

Glad to hear that all of you really like the Eggbeaters...I'm planning on getting th Ti version when it comes out (hopefully soon).

I was talking to one of the CrankBro's through AIM if you can believe that, and the fact they actually talked to me, he said that Jan 03, but they are gonna try and get them out earlier.

I was talking to one of the CrankBro's through AIM if you can believe that, and the fact they actually talked...

I emailed them to let them know what I thought about the Eeebees and they emailed back. They actually seem to be one of those few companies that offer genuine customer service. I like my Eeebees even more now because of that.

It was weird. Try talking to some rep for Trek. Nada. But thee Crank Brothers actually talked to some insignificant kid online, taking time out of their business to bother with me.

And they weren't rude at all, he was very nice, and we actually had a real conversation.

It was odd.

taking time out of their business to bother with me.

I know. It's a really weird feeling! That's the difference between a company that values you as a customer compared to one that just wants your money. Small is beautiful, eh? It's little things like that make me happy to recommend them to every one I talk bikes with.:)

I told the guy at my LBS that I wanted eggbeaters when I get clipless pedals, and he looked shocked! Not shocked like he thought they were crap, but shocked that *I* wanted them! What's up with that? I'm a new rider, and I'll admit, I look like a prissy chick who wouldn't want to get dirty (but, oh, do I!). Was that it, ya think?? He wasn't rude, it was just wierd.

Originally posted by Natophelia
I told the guy at my LBS that I wanted eggbeaters when I get clipless pedals, and he looked shocked! Not shocked like he thought they were crap, but shocked that *I* wanted them! What's up with that? I'm a new rider, and I'll admit, I look like a prissy chick who wouldn't want to get dirty (but, oh, do I!). Was that it, ya think?? He wasn't rude, it was just wierd.


What part of the country are you from? Maybe they are not used to seeing women on mt. bikes...who knows but I think I would steer clear of any shop that had that attitude toward women.
Or maybe he was just shocked by your choice of pedals...

I've heard many great things about the C.B. customer service so once the Ti version is out I will be putting a pair on my bike.

I bet you're right..it's because there aren't alot of women who ride mtb's around here. The guys had been telling me how they got women in there all the time who wanted bikes with no gears, and something they could peddle backwards on to break! I don't think they have a problem with women, thank god, cuz I'd have to kick them in their heads! (nicely, of course :) ) Nah...I've been riding with them n stuff; they're cool.

Originally posted by Natophelia
I bet you're right..it's because there aren't alot of women who ride mtb's around here. The guys had been telling me how they got women in there all the time who wanted bikes with no gears, and something they could peddle backwards on to break! I don't think they have a problem with women, thank god, cuz I'd have to kick them in their heads! (nicely, of course :) ) Nah...I've been riding with them n stuff; they're cool.

I am? Er I mean...Of course I'm right. :p

That's one big difference I've noticed moving from Georgia to San Francisco is that the biking culture is much larger out here so there many more women who ride. That's too bad because Tenn. is a very very beautiful state and I'm sure there is lots of great singletrack there. I used to go white water rafting on the Ocoee (sp?) and mountain bike on some trails near there.