Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Eggbeaters or ATACs

This is to help with those dealing with a common delima...

Please only respond if you have used Crank Brothers Eggbeaters AND Time ATACs.

I know everyone loves their pedals, but the survey will only be significant if those that respond have actually used both and can give a comparison based on experience not just an opinion.

Please don't vote if you haven't used both types of pedals.

Please do give some insight as to why you voted the way you did.

Thanks! :D

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.

I haven't tried ATACS yet (nor did I vote), but I've been using eggbeaters on one of my bikes and I'm gradually concluding that I don't like them. In addition to what you mentioned above, I find that my right eggbeater has less float than the left...I've switched the cleats but still can't really tell a difference. I otherwise have used SPDs, which I like better...theres a more distinct feeling of clipping in and out and being abl to tell that you are at the end of the float is definately reassuring.

What's up? 9 voters who have used both types of pedals and no explainations of why one over the other?

Sorry... I voted before I read your post.

But I love my atac's and a friend of mine had his egg beaters freeze on him a couple of winters ago. He ended up with half of a pedal body stuck to his shoe.

I started riding ATACS for the mud shedding while Mt Biking. I put them on my road bike and my commuter. Actaully the commuter has the "Aliums", which I think are the earliest version of the ATACS.

I recently compared the egg beaters to the ATACS, personally I found

For both, adjustment of release angle can be just a matter of which shoe (left/right) the cleats (circle/nocirle or stars/no stars)are put on. When I wear down one side, I "rotate" them. Then I place an order for another pair of cleats.
Float is almost the same. 5 for Times 6 for Egg Beaters.
ATACS are easier when in regular shoes. UNless you want to buy that plastic platform to put on the egg beaters.
ATACS has 2 entry points, while Egg Beaters have 4.
I feel it is really a preference of looks after that. If one is also a weight weenie, then there is a whole other aspect of comparison.

I use eggbeaters when I cross race. I can get in and out of them in a flash and, they're light. Mine never squeak. Check your cleats.

I had times on my first CX build. I wasn't a fan.

Why does sinister ride atacs without the correct shoes 100 % of the time?

i used ATACs for a while, then switched to eggbeaters cos performance had a sale. the ATACs seemed like they had better retention than the eggbeaters, but i like the eggbeaters simplicity. it mostly came down to they were on sale, and they work just as well. plus i like that they have so many choices for pedals.

I voted for ATACS, I had Eggbeaters.

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.
I dont know about yours, but mine gave a very clear indication of when they were in float range... I can very easily sense the change in tension when the action changed from float to disengagement... and they never squeaked either. I haven't a clue, though, how an adjective like "mushy" is attributed to pedals. Perhaps you had flexible shoes so you didn't feel a "direct" power transfer to the pedal?

I love how the tiny little cleat for my eggbeaters fits into my shoe and doesn't click when I walk. Not the same for ATAC cleats.
I love how light the eggbeaters are. (Not that that actually affects my life)
I love how mud shoots right through the eggbeaters on my MTB.

I do not love how eggbeaters can NOT be ridden without proper shoes.

I actually dislike that positive float thing on ATACs, personal preference.

I've only tried them (eggbeaters) while hanging out in a bike store, something I spend too much time doing. The shoes were sidi dominators, borrowed & stiffer than my Pearl Izumis, Answer or Lakes that I use now. First impression was that a 4-sided entry would be an advantage, but after trying it I realized I preferred Time. It's as good as a 4-sided entry when no matter how you strike the pedal the tension rods are flipped into place.

I also had to consider some of the scrambling through muddy creeks I've done and how having some semblance of a platform helps when remounting quickly with freshly muddied/wet shoes & pedals.

The Times seem to hold tighter, even without flipping the cleats to the harder angle, something I'd recommend if you trust your muscle memory. I've never popped out wearing them regularly, but the tighter the better IMO.

And has probably been mentioned a dozen times now, you can hop on Times in sandals or sneakers to goto the corner store. I expect I could with eggbeaters too but not as confidently.

For a casual, fashionable bike I might pick eggbeaters for the low profile, which is nice. For serious all day riding or off road racing I'd pick Times, IMO more durable.

it looks like the above poll has degraded into how many people own eggbeaters vs how many own atacs

Why does sinister ride atacs without the correct shoes 100 % of the time?

I have no idea. His former roommate and I are good friends and I asked her and she had no clue either.

I would see him all the time around town and I've never seen him wear cleated shoes.

He's the guy on the right. Too bad I couldn't get a shot of his pedals. Brakeless, too, BTW.:

http://static.flickr.com/90/233312253_147e0002ec.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carleton_hall/233312253/)

those three are some bad motherfckers.

Hey doods, you can use any of the Crank Brothers pedals other than the Eggbeaters with regular shoes (although I don't know why you'd put clipless pedals on a bike if you aren't going to use them).

Found a photo of the pedal (small, though)...

http://static.flickr.com/54/134017991_51844283ab_o.jpg

The pedals are just like this one (my fav ATAC style/color, BTW):

http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/images/1101atac.gif

My take:

I've broken three eggbeaters. The retension wing separated from the body or something ugly like that.
I assume it was because of the pulling-up force that comes from riding brakeless many hours a day. Also the cleats don't last. I've never had a pair more than a couple months before I started to release unexpectedly (=death), or the pedal broke. Plus, to me they just feel sloppy and flexy. On the up side: the warranty is solid.

Atacs hold tighter, ad haven't broken yet. +positive feedback means you know when you're unclipped. They feel firmer, stiffer than the beaters.
Downside? Heavier, uglier, in a tron sort of way. Also sharper if you manage to slip off them in the rain and whack your shin.

ps. I'm referring to cromo eggbeaters and atac xs.

Heavier, uglier, in a tron sort of way.

I feel ya. The current ATACs are pretty ugly, I must admit.

The ATACs that I posted in the pic above is the best looking one and seemingly highly sought after. I've seen a set that was beat to hel go for nearly $100 on ebay.

I found a NOS set and I'm gonna hold on to them until TIME gets over this futuristic look and goes to a more elegant design for the ATAC.

I feel ya. The current ATACs are pretty ugly, I must admit.

The ATACs that I posted in the pic above is the best looking one and seemingly highly sought after. I've seen a set that was beat to hel go for nearly $100 on ebay.

I found a NOS set and I'm gonna hold on to them until TIME gets over this futuristic look and goes to a more elegant design for the ATAC.

the pedal was redesigned in order to incorporate "Fast Step" technology, which makes engagement easier.

Hmmm...

Seems like people who run the Eggbeaters have the base model Chrome ones.

I wonder how the Stainless Steel Eggbeaters compare against the Time Atacs.

Hmmm...

Seems like people who run the Eggbeaters have the base model Chrome ones.

I wonder how the Stainless Steel Eggbeaters compare against the Time Atacs.

my SS havent broke yet

it looks like the above poll has degraded into how many people own eggbeaters vs how many own atacs


+1

Yep.