Touring - Eggbeaters or Frogs? i want the whole debate!

First things first: my appologies in advance for asking something that i know already has 237 threads, but i figure starting a new one is the most efficient way of getting a fresh, new, efficient response.

So, i'm getting my first clipless pedals. I'm also setting up my first real tourer. And i plan to be living on it, literally. I'm living homeless and nomadic around the world for a while, starting soon. I just got the shimano cycling sandals. And They'll be going with either eggbeaters stainless, or frogs. So, i need please all of your recommendations.

Here are some things to consider:
- i ride fixed gear. (1: must be able to disengage at all points of pedal rotation. 2: use backwards pressure on pedals as a braking method, perhaps an issue with frogs. 3: my knees aren't receiving spa treatment. 4: i would love to hear from people who have tried either/both pedals on fixed)
- frogs admit to not working with sandals. some say this is not true. anyway, it's not as though the eggbeaters have 28mm spindles.
- durability is concern number one with anything i get. maintenence is okay. carrying extra cleats and even a rebuild kit will work. but reliability is a must.
- is ethically okay to spend more on pedals (frogs are 140) than i did on my frame (130 with extra parts, an old fuji america from a kid like me)?
- i weigh 130lbs. i'm a stick. this seems to be a consideration in many people's reviews of both pedals.
- well, what you consider worth considering is as valid as what i do.

thank all so much for brotherly support. you're all terrific!

From what you're describing you need something with a large platform and that falls more into the Eggbeater range. However, I have to question going entirely clipless in this situation. Have you thought about an SPD pedal that is clipless on only 1 side? Nashbar has several varieties available and all considerably less than Frogs or Eggbeaters.

Can't compare, but can add some info. Hope sisterly support is ok with you too. ;>

I have used Frogs with Shimano sandals for touring on a geared bike. I wear size 39/40. There is no frog/sandal compatibility issue with that size - you may have to trim the sandal tread a teeny bit to install the cleats, but that's no big deal.

Walking is quite good on all surfaces but slippery rocks. The cleat does lightly touch the ground, and it does wear a bit.

The pedals do clog with mud, occasionally making engagement/release hard. Easy to solve by washing with a squirt from your water bottle, and lubing with chain lube frequently.The cleats wear pretty fast, break catastrophically with no warning, are expensive ($33 in USA, $90 in Hobart, Australia), and are difficult to obtain. The little rubber thing under the little square thing disintegrates, and the little square thing falls out. Sometimes you can ride without the little square thing, but you're not "clipped in" and, oddly, sometimes your foot gets a little stuck. Do-able for a little while, but you wouldn't want days or weeks of it.

I weigh less than you, there's no low weight issue.

You're supposed to grease the pedals pretty often, I probably go about 3000 miles. It doesn't really seem to matter much, though, so you probably don't have to carry a grease gun, just visit a bike shop to do it.

Hope this helps.

I've been touring with the Frogs for awhile and still using the original cleats, although I always carry an extra set just in case. They engage and disengage easily but not at every part of the pedal stroke. The toe of my size 42 shoe bumps into the crank arm in certain positions before I can disengage from the pedal, but with a freehub this isn't a problem.

If you're going to be touring fixed, please tell me you're running brakes. I can't imagine skid stopping fully loaded:eek:

my mxr's left me stranded, so if you go for eggbeaters dont get those is all i can advise. Personally, id stick with spd style, easy and cheap replaceable cleats, not to mention longer lasting. maybe the 324's would be a good option. ive ridden clipless for over a decade in the city and trails. on my last tour (6000km), after my eggs broke, i was given some suntour toe clip style, and i dont think i would ever tour with clipless again. There just seems no real benefit to the hassle.

I haven't noticed my shimano cycling sandals NOT working with my speedplay frog pedals for the 15,000 miles i've pedaled in them....

Frogs have more lateral play, or "float" than eggbeaters, if this matters to you and your knees. Unlike the eggbeaters, there is no spring device to recenter your shoe to the pedal, thus no lateral forces acting upon your ankle/knee. Its actually the major distinguishing design feature / selling point of the speedplay line of pedals.

The frog pedal bodies are made of a resin plastic material which deflects under load. Over time you will erode circular tracks into the pedal bodies, and they begin to feel looser. Also, its not hard to pedal through a turn and rip off the little rotational stop nub on the underside of the pedal due to pedal strike. Speedplay sells pedal rebuild kits that are the 4 pedal body halves only, for maybe 50 bucks. If you're riding mostly on pavement the bearings and spindle will still be usable for a rebuild with the new pedal bodies. So, in effect 2 sets of pedals for original cost + 50 bucks plus an hour of work.

The newer cleats are much stronger and long lived. The old style had a steel bumper on a post, and a stone could wedge in and break off the bumper. New style cannot break in this manner.

BTW the frogs are available in a chromoly spindle version for ~105 msrp. I can't tell any difference from the ss version (i own and have extensively used both).

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=Category%3A%20Pedals

I have some chromo eggbeaters that I got as part of a shoe/pedal deal from Nashbar. I really wanted the shoes. Anyway, due to the longevity/rebuildable nature/perfect satisfaction with product (frogs), I've never gotten around to using the eggbeaters. They've been in the boxes where I store unassembled bicycles in parts form for 3 years now.

To me, it looks as if eggbeaters would excel in off road, frequent muddy use. This is not normally an issue for touring.

1: must be able to disengage at all points of pedal rotation.

I love my Frogs, but they don't disengage easily at all points of pedal rotation.

Good luck with your adventure.

Speedo

Speedplay sells pedal rebuild kits that are the 4 pedal body halves only, for maybe 50 bucks. If you're riding mostly on pavement the bearings and spindle will still be usable for a rebuild with the new pedal bodies. So, in effect 2 sets of pedals for original cost + 50 bucks plus an hour of work.


The bearings are standard miniature industrial bearings. They can be bought on line at places like Boca Bearings or at your local industrial bearing supplier.

In the thousands of miles I've ridden on frogs, I've yet to have a cleat-related (or any other kind of) problem.

You wouldn't happen to have a part number for these bearings at Boca, would you?

You wouldn't happen to have a part number for these bearings at Boca, would you?

I agree...a part number would be helpful...I need to rebuild my twin ti eggbeaters. I put 6000 miles on them this year with no issues....they worked great, with sandles as well....in my opinion it is the perfect pedal...I have ridden them for years...MTB, Road, whatever.

Stay away from the MXP or whatever it is called....they should have never made that pedal..

On another thread just seconds ago I wrote...:

"I used crank brothers egg beaters on my year long Europe to Asia tour (and on 2, 1 month tours). They worked well for me. I do get a little bit "extra" while climbing, and everything helps. They also keep me from losing control over rough terain (by not having my feet flop all over).

I'd imagine any type of clips/straps, or clipless would be equally usefull FOR ME-once I get "used to" the system.

-Power grips- a bunch of folks swear by them, and are definitely worth a look. For example: Kent Peterson uses them quite a bit, I think he used them in the Great Divide Mountainbike Race 2005-on a single speed.

-Clips/Straps- another good system (time tested) but takes getting used to. Like power grips allows the use of more footwear options (likely excluding sandals).

-Clipless- you need proprietary footwear and cleats.

-platforms- go barefoot if you so desire.

--If I do another "adventure tour" I'll likely use power grips, or clips/straps. This way I can use regular hiking boots. I will not be using just platforms.

It's up to you though."


---I'll add--

I used the eggbeaters on my fixed gear track bike before my trip. I used my fixy mostly for commuting to and from work, so I was very used to the route etc. And there was no dirt involved.

I used shimano spd sandals most of the way, they are very stiff, but did start to flex a bit towards the end of my trip. They were pretty much worn out afterwards, so I threw them away. I didn't have any foot problems from the sole flexing, but I could easily see that I might if I continued riding on them in there worn out condition.

Eggbeaters Cleats. I went through a few pairs on the long tour. They wear out fast when walking. Even faster as the sole of my sandals wore down.

Eggbeaters pedals. Pretty good, but the bearings were getting very very loose towards the end of the trip. I did carry the rebuild kit (bearings & seals), but never got around to rebuilding them.

Frogs: I'm not familiar with them.

I'll repeat: "--If I do another "adventure tour" I'll likely use power grips, or clips/straps. This way I can use regular hiking boots or whatever. I will not be using just platforms."