Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - searching for the best clipless setup for riding brakeless

sparked by humancongereel's post and my own interest in getting back into clipless breakless (after too many unclipping incedents with eggbeaters), im looking for the best clipless setup for brakeless riding.

so far im going to get this shoes:
sidi dominator 5 lorica mountain shoe-mega
because i dont want something made in a sweatshop, and my feet are wide

now im looking for some pedals to go with them. im thinking time atac's but i couldnt find any at nashbar.com, are the new time petals just as good? which atacs should i go for?

have you replaced your eggbeater cleats lately? the only time i unclip from eggbeaters, is when the cleats are worn out.

Time ATAC XS, best I've found. You can get them at performance (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18334&subcategory_ID=10045) but I'd wait for a better price, got mine for $65 last year...

speedplay frogs

speedplay frogs

+1

Time does still make the ATACs even if Performance doesn't have them. I have broken a XS pedal but my ATACs are still running just fine. The best.

have you replaced your eggbeater cleats lately? the only time i unclip from eggbeaters, is when the cleats are worn out.
same here

just get any time cleats and pedals but put the left cleat on the right shoe and right on the left. its never once failed me.

I've never had a problem with eggbeaters, and I also ride on the track.

ATAC XS

- positive feedback at the end of the float, unlike other mtn pedals.
- with the release tension set at the highest and the cleats swapped, it's very difficult to get your foot out without a deliberate effort and some practice. I pull hockey stops on this setup.

The only way you could pull out of eggbeaters is if your pedal stroke is all over the place, or if the cleats are worn out.

i've been riding eggbeaters for two years, brakeless for all of that time except for a couple weeks, with absolutely no problems. i'm still using the original cleats and have never popped out. just saying.

I broke my eggbeaters after 4 months. Snapped at the spindle.

+1 on the ATACs. They're not going to release without you knowing it.

After 5k miles of using Shimano M-520 pedals, getting unwanted popouts and replacing cleats every 1000mi I now have two new sets of Time ATAC XS pedals ready to install.

Before I do and will not longer be able to return them, is there any reason not to? The only I can see is that they will protrude from the crank 3mm further than the M520s reducing slightly my cornering clearance. (I've only touched pedals a couple of times on corners, but never lifted of road)

Al

I have popped out of my ATACs doing hockey stops. Twice. Someone needs to make purpose-built clipless pedals for fixed gear.

eggbeaters :)
get new cleats

double straps .

So has anyone used both ATAC and either EB or Shimano and found a difference, or all all the reports of 'better' just based on what one uses and is happy with?

Al

Eggbeaters. Get new cleats.

So has anyone used both ATAC and either EB or Shimano and found a difference, or all all the reports of 'better' just based on what one uses and is happy with?

Al

I originally had two pairs of Shimanos on two different bikes (both MTN), and I popped out of both at the worst times. The tension on both was set to max. I have since switched to Time ATAC (both MTB and fixies) and haven't popped out at all. The majority of ATAC pedals I bought were used using the same cleats on my Sidi Dominators. I haven't used Eggbeaters so I can't comment.

I spent a year working using a set of M520's, and found that even with tension to max and fresh cleats, I got popouts. Switched to ATAC's, and haven't had a problem since. I've also used EB on my mtn bike, and enjoyed them, though I would recommend the Candy EB's for street use.

8 years SPD, now 5 years Time, Time is much better.

So has anyone used both ATAC and either EB or Shimano and found a difference, or all all the reports of 'better' just based on what one uses and is happy with?

Al


I've used ATACs and Eggbeaters. I used two different models of ATACs, then (based on the hype) I tried Eggbeaters when I built my current ride. I hated them because:

A) One can't tell when one is at the end of the float and that's what float is made for right...so you can adjust your foot position. When I tried to set up my stroke at the end of the float...I didn't know I was at the end till I was clipped out. That sux. With the ATACs I can setup inside, middle, and outside and POSITIVELY know where I am and not be preoccupied with the thought of "Can I move over a litte bit more and be OK? Will I clip out?"

B) They felt mushy.

C) The squeaked.

I rode them for a week then sold them for like $30. I bought ATACs again and have been very happy ever since.

Plus, you can ride on top of ATACs with tennis shoes if need be. This is cool for quick jaunts around the corner or whatnot. I know a messenger in Baltimore ("Sinister") that rides 100% of the time like that (ATACs + regular tennis shoes with no cleats). That's a bit much for me, but he's proof that it can be done.

Also, I ride Sidi Dominators and love 'em. Not as easy to walk in as my Nike Kato IIIs, but I still like 'em better.

Also, I rode SPD for 4 years before I tried TIME ATACs (I started riding ATACs in 2004). Ultegra SPDs were my favorite. They were one-sided and had like 5 degrees of float.

ATACs still my favorite right now.

ATACs without a doubt, for all your riding needs.

whats the story with reversing the atac cleats... just curious

found it?



re: Time ATAC Pedals climbo
Oct 5, 2001 8:56 AM
if they are new they should not be worn. Time ATAC cleats have that look new. The idea is that one side is sloped more than the other and reversing them on your shoes gives you either a 15 or 20 degree float. One side has a star on it so you can tell which should go on which shoe.
re: Time ATAC Pedals - Got it Thanks! n/m

OR

It worked CU-Murph
Nov 3, 2003 4:09 PM
Actually I'm using a friend's old pedals and cleats. I went ahead and reversed them; the arrow pointing to the heel makes it easier to clip out of the pedals! Still not used to them yet. Using my old school Onza clipless pedals are still easier for me. I guess only more riding will tell me if I want to buy the Time pedals after all. Thanks for the advice!

-Rob

I found these with a quick Google...I personally won;t be messing with the intended installation of the cleats.

i've been riding eggbeaters for two years, brakeless for all of that time except for a couple weeks, with absolutely no problems. i'm still using the original cleats and have never popped out. just saying.
You ride too little:p

I have popped out of my ATACs doing hockey stops. Twice. Someone needs to make purpose-built clipless pedals for fixed gear.
You could look for the old original suicide style clipless. They'll only release when you move the release lever.

Does anyone have video linkie for these hockey stops?

Wanted to give an update on my switch over from Shimano M520 pedals to ATAC XS.

Firstly the difference is very subtle. If you are used to one for clipping in/out you may not even know the pedals were switched unless you are looking for it. More like the difference between new and old cleats.

When pedalling the ATACs feel a little more like there is a hard ball you foot is resting on, not in terms of a presssure point, but in terms of the ATACs require a bit better ankle control otherwise they let you splay your feet outward.

The clipping in out with ATACs feels a bit more gummy, a bit more sliding friction (not talking about spring resistance) This perhaps could be the difference between brass vs. steel cleat.

I have on a few occasions found that the ATACs can grab/hold the cleat, but you are not clipped in. But just like the Shimanos, they do give a click to indicate you are positively clicked in, so this is not an issue.

As to holding retention, the primary reasons I bought the ATACs over the Shimanos, this I have not tested yet.

Al