Commuting - egg beaters or candies?

Hi guys,

I haven't used clipless pedals before and was wondering which one of these would be better for commuting? Also would both of these work with shoes that have a recessed cleat i.e. shoes you can walk in?

Thanks

Daven

I have eggbeater SLs and Cannondale Roam shoes on which the cleats are easily recessed enough for non-clicky walking in (as opposed to my Diadora Bike Patrol shoes which the SPD cleats stick out giving me a tap-dancing sound wherever I go). I love the eggbeaters, there's very little to the whole process of clipping in with them. No look required, just put foot down and push, it'll get in there and your leg/foot will get used to the location/position to allow it to come naturally.

I have the Candy C's with PI Vagabond M4's. I like the idea of having a platform with the pedals. I heard elsewhere around here that the eggbeaters can make you tired quicker, maybe.

I use shims with the cleats and so far I haven't heard any clicking noises although I see scratches on the cleat where it goes into contact with the ground.

I think the candies are neat, but totally not worth it. With the eggbeaters you get 4 points of entry instead of just 2. On the candies the bails stick up so high that it's not that great as a platform pedal. The only time I think it would be nice to have Candies is if I were a hardcore downhill MTB'er and I didn't have time to click in, I would still have some meat to grab with my foot for control.

If you miss a clip in on eggbeaters cross a street it's easy enough to pedal a revolution or two with the arch of your foot and try again.

If you plan on wearing regular street shoes ever then get the double sided Wellgos or Shimanos...they're much better for regular platform riding.

I rode eggbeaters for a couple years and they worked well.
My first pair were chromoly. Not durable.
My second pair were SLs and they are much better.

However, my commute is fairly long and my feet started getting annoyed with the lack of a platform. That and the lack of a positive click started to irritate me.
After the bike I had them on was squashed I switched to shimano m970 pedals. Much better for my situation. If you can't clip into dual sided pedals there is something wrong. :p

From my personal experience I would still say that eggbeaters would work well with the average commute.

I think the candies are neat, but totally not worth it. With the eggbeaters you get 4 points of entry instead of just 2. On the candies the bails stick up so high that it's not that great as a platform pedal. The only time I think it would be nice to have Candies is if I were a hardcore downhill MTB'er and I didn't have time to click in, I would still have some meat to grab with my foot for control.

If you miss a clip in on eggbeaters cross a street it's easy enough to pedal a revolution or two with the arch of your foot and try again.

If you plan on wearing regular street shoes ever then get the double sided Wellgos or Shimanos...they're much better for regular platform riding.

Technically you still get 4 points of entry on the Candy C's. I have yet to fail clipping in on them and the platform rotates easily out of the way when you try to clip in. The platforms are also great to just stomp your shoes on when you're in a hurry to get across the intersection without worrying about clipping in first.

A few years ago I was converted to egg beaters for mountain bike riding. I liked them so much that my other bikes including my commuter now wear them. I like the same pedal on all my bikes so I have the same habits, feel, etc.

I use a touring style mountain bike shoe for commuting. I can walk down the grocery aisle without too much click-clack. The soles aren't overly stiff like a road shoe, yet I feel they provide plenty of stiffness against the egg beaters. I don't notice any "lack" of platform. I've never tried the candys, nor do I really understand the concept.

I have both... I put the eggbeaters on my CX/commuter since i don't put in too many miles in a single ride. For my fixed gear and upcoming Salsa Casseroll i have the Candy pedals since i do longer rides with those bikes.

Technically you still get 4 points of entry on the Candy C's. I have yet to fail clipping in on them and the platform rotates easily out of the way when you try to clip in. The platforms are also great to just stomp your shoes on when you're in a hurry to get across the intersection without worrying about clipping in first.

You say potat-o I say pot-A-to.

I think it is splitting hairs. I never had trouble getting in Candies, and yeah, technically you have 4 sides. I just think it's overkill and unnecessary unless you're MTBing. Maybe I see the use for XC riding, too, but not much for commuting. The lightweight of the eggbeaters is nice, even if only a few ounces.

They'll both work fine...

Noone here is capable of giving an unbiased opinion... they're just going to tell you what they own and how great it is... myself included, who thinks the candy platform is pointless and has eggbeaters on all his bikes.

I'm still a newb, but I submit the following. I use the smarties (cheaper candys) with the specialized tahoe (?) shoe. I have no issue while walking, but seem to not be able to click in as well some other pedals I've used in the past. I've tried playing with the shims and can't find a happy medium.
Chris

I have candies, and they are nearly identical to eggbeaters as far as performance, but if needed you can ride the candies with regular shoes. They work, not great, but they still work.

I love my Candy's and wouldn't trade them for anything else. I like the idea of the platform because I have something to rest my foot on if I don't want to clip in immediately. These were the only pedals that gave me enough confidence to continue using clipless pedals.

well it seems to me the candies can't really be ridden without cleats so why not just go for egg beaters. i take it that if you dont clip in immediatly you can ride a few strokes without it and then slide it in? also is it really easy to clip and unclip?

also does anyone have any opinions on cheap shoes to use with them that i can also walk in? (i am in the UK)

thanks

daven

To be honest, I'd go with the Mallets. I've used the beaters and the Candies but have found the MAllets to be the best overall.

aren't the mallets just basically candies but a little bit bigger? i won't really be using my bike without cycling shoes on as i plan to get ones i can walk a bit in. think i might give the standard egg beaters a shot!

I have Eggbeaters, Candy C's, and a pair of Mallets. I Don't use the Mallets, because I need to use spacers under the cleats to keep from getting hung in them. When I space my cleats out, and then ride one of the bikes with Eggs, I don't get a good solid feel. The Candy C's are okay, but I don't find clipping into them quite as easy as the Eggs, I haven't noticed any real benifit to the little platform around it. They are not good to ride on if you are not clipped in. Actually I have rode regular eggbeaters with cowboy boots on in a pinch. They seem to set right where the heel of the boot meets the sole, and the sole is stiff enough right there to not give a sore spot.

I think the Crank Brothers pedal with platforms are superior for road riding. I can clip in to eggbeater and candy's the same, but Eggbeaters for me, are very squishy laterally. The platform provides a good bit of general stability which might be important if your commute is more than a few miles and you pedal hard.

Frankly, I'm about to sell my eggbeaters, keep my Candy's and maybe buy a pair of Quatro's.

IMO, naked Eggbeaters are best for off-road only. I clip in and out of 'Beaters and Candies equally, but have found the Eggbeaters to be inferior for long distance roading. I'm an older rider, with some knee issues so YMMV.

In addition, the Candy's/Mallets/Quattros are much better to ride on with regular shoes or sneakers. Eggbeaters are little better than pedaling on round spindles in regular shoes...

Best of luck!

BRider

PS: If your commute is under 10 miles, you might do best with a set of quality fitted clipped pedals! Really! That way you can wear your Doc Martins or Sketchers on the bike and at work.

I have Lake summer shoes (kind of hiking-ish) and Lake winter boots. Both have Shimano SPD cleats in them and I can walk normally in both.

The pedals are what I consider eggbeater style. But they have a platform on one side (removable if desired) so you can use them with normal shoes also. The platforms also have reflectors built in, which I like for commuting.

PS: If your commute is under 10 miles, you might do best with a set of quality fitted clipped pedals! Really! That way you can wear your Doc Martins or Sketchers on the bike and at work.

That's really the best way to ride in any shoe.

Barring that, if you're going to stick with clipless, and if you're using Crank Brothers, I'd use Mallets on the bike that you ride with lots of starts & stops. They're big enough to support the front half of my size 12 feet, so they're plenty stable for launching from a stoplight even if you're not clipped in yet. I'd even say that they're actually safer because of that.

Mine work well with my Specialized Taho shoes.

thanks for the replies, i will look into mallets more then as they seem quite good. are the candies similar to them (candies are cheaper!!)? i would always be riding with cycle shoes but may need to just support my foot while i push off.

thanks

daven

One thing that the Mallets have over their other pedals is the textured surface -- your feet will be less likely to slip off.

To be sure, though, when riding on them in regular shoes, you'll feel the bails of the clip poking up from the pedal and pressing into your forefoot. It's alright for going around the neighborhood, but I think it'll become an annoyance after a few miles.

I have 2 pair of Candy SL's, and one pair of Quattro's. I like them all, and would highly recommend that you go with one of the platform varieties (Candy, Quattro, Mallet, Smarty). The platform supports more of your foot, and makes life much easier when you're pushing off at an intersection - you don't absolutely have to catch the clip because the platform supports your foot until you get going. I've ridden the eggbeaters only briefly, and I don't think I would want to use them unless I had a shoe with an absolutely stiff, hard sole. The platforms are also great as you're learning to ride a clipless - you can unclip as you approach an intersection and still keep your foot on the pedal. This helps with the process of learning to anticipate the stops until the unclipping becomes a natural motion for you.

If the only thing holding you back from eggbeaters is wanting some 'meat' to grab onto when taking off from a light, I think you should get eggbeaters.

Firstly, I'm always able to clip-in before I've done a full pedal revolution (I keep my right foot clipped in, so only one clip-in needed) - it's easy to do, and quick/painless.

Secondly, I've ridden through snow/rain/ice and never slipped off an eggbeater in the rare time I ride them as platforms - and with the ice on the ground, I frequently unclip and ride the bike cautiously over the really slippy stuff - it's not a big deal at all - your shoes are the important part there, not the pedals - having a stiff enough sole so as to not bend your foot around the pedal - in these conditions I'm not racing to win anything, I just want to get through safely - and I like to be able to put a footdown at a moments notice (my recent experience with slips on ice has been that I still can't unclip fast enough before I hit the ground if the front wheel gives way).

Thirdly, if you're in such a massive rush to get a start off a light, then maybe your riding practices need to change - I've always had time to clip-in either as the light is changing, or as I'm negotiating for lane-space with the ever-in a rush cars - and occasionally I have a brain fade and can't locate to clip-in, I just ride with one foot as a platform until I'm out of the intersection/problem area - the bike works just as well if you're only pushing on the pedals for a few strokes - it's not a big deal.

This all being said, I've still not ridden over 50 miles in a given ride with eggbeaters yet. This I will be doing very soon, though. I also didn't put the shims in, and now my bolts are rusted into the shoe - so I can't get them clipped into my SPD pedals :(

Hi guys,

I haven't used clipless pedals before and was wondering which one of these would be better for commuting? Also would both of these work with shoes that have a recessed cleat i.e. shoes you can walk in?

Thanks

Daven

as others have said: either one will work great. I have both and lean towards regular Eggbeaters. The only issue I have ever had with them is if you fail clip in right away on takeoff, the pedal can spin under your shoe and your foot sails off the pedal. Not good. But has only happened a couple times and you learn to cope.

Both pedals will work fine with recessed cleats - all my shoes have recessed cleats so I can walk around. and cleats on all the Crank bros are the same as far as I know.

Since you are new to clipless, I would suggest something with a platform (either candy or smarty) to ease the transition. the platform is comforting for newbs - my wife runs smarties.

Cheers

I had some candies and couldn't figure out what the platform was good for. It definitely isn't usable for pedaling while not clipped in. They resold pretty high on ebay though :). I always go back to my SPDs.

I find it interesting that folks are saying they get support from the platform when clipped in. I suppose laterally it makes sense, but in terms of support for pedal power I can't see the mechanics. At the best the ball of foot is clipped in right over the spindle and the shoe in front of the cleat and behind the cleat are equally touching the platform. If not, if the before the cleat is touching and the behind the cleat is not (or vice versa) then the platform is useless while clipped in. If the best case scenario is true then there still won't be very much pressure distributed on the platform...the room for the second scenario is way too great for me to believe that all shoes are designed well enough for Crank Bros that the platform is useful.

I think it's great for starting and stopping if you don't have clipping skills, but how hard is clipping? again, platform = worthless

A small amount of the ball of ones foot is touching the pedal with a pedal like eggbeaters. With platforms you have more support and a wider area to facilitate the transfer of force from your foot to the pedal.
When I was running eggbeaters my feet were sore after about 15 miles. Once I purchased my roadie with looks I was sold. I can ride a century and my feet feel fine.

Anyhow, it is a matter of preference. Everyone is different.

from everyones comments im guessing that standard egg beaters are better for road shoes with stiff soles and the ones with a platform are better for "urban" shoes.

I think for now i'll stick with a platform one just to get used to it, and then i'll possibly switch to egg beaters.

Does any shoe work with these? Are SPD shoes compatible, and how many holes does the standard cleat that comes with the pedals have?

Thanks

daven

Look for a SPD compatible shoe. This is a two bolt pattern.


I don't know about the types of shoes vs platform or not. I always run stiff shoes. It is a matter of comfort for my particular situation (my feet and my long commute).

ok thanks, i will have a look.

Hi guys,

I haven't used clipless pedals before and was wondering which one of these would be better for commuting? Also would both of these work with shoes that have a recessed cleat i.e. shoes you can walk in?

Thanks

Daven

I still haven't heard about a shoe/cleat combination that I would trust for walking on my momma's hardwood floors. I've heard people say things like "there's almost no click-clack", but I am looking for a shoe/cleat for commuting that absolutely won't scratch a floor under normal circumstances. Any thoughts?

while im not too bothered about that (i'll just be walking around at uni!!) why not try to find one with a cleat cover?

If you don't want to scratch up the hardwood floor, take your shoes off. Even my shoes that don't make a klik klak noise will still scratch up the floor.

sorry to keep asking but will these be compatible with candies?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=22334

thanks

daven

Yeah, SPD and Crank Bros. cleats use the same bolt pattern so any SPD compatible shoe will work.

excellent im going to try some on tomorrow :D

Yeah, SPD and Crank Bros. cleats use the same bolt pattern so any SPD compatible shoe will work.

Also, if you get Quattros, they come with three-hole compatible cleat assemblies so you can attach them to any shoe with a three-hole pattern (which are usually road-specific shoes, like the pair of Sidi Genius 5's that I got recently).

You can use regular CB cleats on Quattro pedals (I normally use MTB shoes on mine), but I don't think you can use Quattro cleats on other CB pedals because of how the extra plastic parts are shaped to fit snugly on the Quattro's platform. So, if you put CB pedals on all your bikes, you can ride all of them with MTB or casual-style shoes; and when you want to do the OCP roadie thing, use your super-stiff road shoes with Quattro cleats on the Quattro pedals you put on your road bike.

...but I don't think you can use Quattro cleats on other CB pedals because of how the extra plastic parts are shaped to fit snugly on the Quattro's platform...

You can. :) I had to do it once when i left my commuter MTB shoes at work and had to use my regular road shoes instead...

(and that's why i love Crankbrothers pedals because of the great compatibility)

I use smarties on a commuting bike and quattro 2tis on my road bike using the same MTB shoes and cleats. There is definitely good contact on the pedals that helps distribute the force and prevent hotspots. Also, when my wife and I ride and she uses the one pair of shoes with the cleats and I'm forced to ride with regular sneakers I can ride without too much of a difference from regular platforms. I don't think you'd be able to do that with eggbeaters.

are quattro SLs any different to candy SLs? they are the same price, so does anyone know which one will be better for shoe compatibility and general commuting riding.

also the quattros say "grease fitting not compatible". what does this mean?

thanks for all your help guys

daven

The Candy's will be more compatible since they come with SPD cleats. The Quattro pedals come with a Look 3-bolt cleat system intended for Road shoes. Otherwise, functionally they are quite similar. And Candy's do not come in Titanium...

The Candy's will be more compatible since they come with SPD cleats. The Quattro pedals come with a Look 3-bolt cleat system intended for Road shoes. Otherwise, functionally they are quite similar. And Candy's do not come in Titanium...

No, that isn't correct. The Quattro cleat is almost identical, and is a 2-bolt pattern just like the cleat for the Candy, Smarty & Eggbeater -- they are not horseshoe shaped cleats like the Looks. The same basic "eggbeater" mechanism is common to all the CB pedals and, thus, so is the cleat. As a previous post indicated, the cleat for the Candies will work fine with the Quattro -- that is the set up I have so that I can use the same shoe for all bikes.

Since they are road pedals, there is an adapter plate available to allow the Quattro 2-bolt cleat to be fitted to road shoes having only the 3-bolt pattern. More and more, however, you see road shoes set up to take either 2 or 3 bolt cleats.
One fit issue with the Quattro -- there is a large diameter bulge to the spindle, right between the crank arm and the body of the pedal (the threaded portion is, of course, standard). I had to shave off a chunk of rubber from my shoe to get enough clearance to be able to rotate my shoe freely so I could release.

(there's also a 3 hole quattro cleat avaliable for those who don't want to use an adaptor plate) :)

hmm decisions decisions, do i get a yellow candy SL set or a quattro!! im guessing it doesn't matter too much which i get, but i think for now im leaning towards the candies.

Given that you get the platform for no meaningful weight penalty, I'd get (and did get) the Candy's. The mallets are much heavier.

right i bought the candies and some shimano shoes :D

thanks guys - can't wait for these to come

A small amount of the ball of ones foot is touching the pedal with a pedal like eggbeaters. With platforms you have more support and a wider area to facilitate the transfer of force from your foot to the pedal.
When I was running eggbeaters my feet were sore after about 15 miles. Once I purchased my roadie with looks I was sold. I can ride a century and my feet feel fine.

Anyhow, it is a matter of preference. Everyone is different.

did you run the same shoe as well? I would think that if the sole of the shoe is on the platform when clipped in, it would be hella hard to get clipped in. if you changed shoes with the roadie pedals, you most likely felt the stiff sole as the difference.

my shoes make my feet sore at varying rates depending on sole stiffness. the stiffer, the better for riding. most mtb & "casual" shoes are too flexy for long rides, some flex built in for walking.

fwiw

No, with this bike I kept the same shoes and could tell the difference. Comparing my eggbeaters to my looks is a tad like comparing green apples to red apples. Not quite the same due to completely different shoes.
The more appropriate comparison is between my eggbeaters and the shimano xtr pedals. I could tell quite a difference between those two.

I had some candies and couldn't figure out what the platform was good for. It definitely isn't usable for pedaling while not clipped in. They resold pretty high on ebay though :). I always go back to my SPDs.

The platform absolutely helps stabilize lateral pressures. Unless your shoe doesn't make contact of course. I don't care how hard the sole of a shoe is, but a platform will certainly help stabilize that pressure. That's a lot to ask of a shoe sole. No? The Eggbeater spring design alone, IMO, does not grab tight enough to forgo a platform for a lot of folks. The spring is not powerful enough to secure the shoe to the pedal under the intense pressures a sprint or climb will put on it. I will likely be sending my lovely Eggbeaters to the trade forum for another set of Candy's. :( I wanted the Eggbeaters to work. The Candy's work better for me. (Until Iam forced to switch to another design entirely.)

Platform width is a non-issue for Shimano, Look and Time pedals. Speedplay's have a tiny platform, and attract some ire for hot-spotting, for instance.

Riding eggbeaters on my road bike was a big mistake for me. I initially thought they would be better for me than the Candy on the roadie, but I have changed my pedals and my mind on the subject. Candy's for roadie, Clips for commuter.

YMMV. But I think naked Eggbeaters are best suited for muddy conditions where clip-in is the super critical.