Mountain Biking - pedals

Used tougher pedals vs. new weaker pedals; assuming same brand/style but different material. Which would you go for?

Used tougher pedals vs. new weaker pedals; assuming same brand/style but different material. Which would you go for?

Care to elaborate on what you're thinking about?

I was wondering whether I should risk buying 3 year old time atac carbon pedals with titanium spindles for half the price of new atac carbon xs or not.

I was wondering whether I should risk buying 3 year old time atac carbon pedals with titanium spindles for half the price of new atac carbon xs or not.

Realistically, just because they are carbon doesn't mean they'll shatter into pieces at any impact.

I was wondering whether I should risk buying 3 year old time atac carbon pedals with titanium spindles for half the price of new atac carbon xs or not.

There are multiple couriers using very, very old time atac pedals because they're bombproof ands very easy to rebuild. The brass cleat also doesn't wear holes in the top of pedals unlike other brands.

I don't doubt the carbon's strength, I was more so wondering about the spindle.

For the price I may just give the old ones a try.

Why would you want times? Why not get a set of spd's and be done with it.

Why would you want times? Why not get a set of spd's and be done with it.

Because they're different?

IMHO SPD's are one of the worst MTB pedals made. I've ridden SPD's, TIME, Eggbeaters, and a few others. SPD's just can't compare with any of them. Just my opinion though, I know people who love 'em.

Weird, considering that I'm probably never going to get my issues with my mallets resolved. The times I had sucked at life for me, broke two pair of them in a years period, and wouldn't even consider using frogs on the fisher. When I have old beaten up spd's from 1998 that are still in working order, and I'm having alot of luck with my XT pedals when I have them on instead of my Drilliums.

I had SPD's an loved them, PD-M545's. Had them for about 3 months. I rode them pretty hard, including a full speed impact into a parked car in the wet, and had no problems.

Because they're different?

IMHO SPD's are one of the worst MTB pedals made. I've ridden SPD's, TIME, Eggbeaters, and a few others. SPD's just can't compare with any of them. Just my opinion though, I know people who love 'em.

for what it's worth, I've had about 3 sets of eggbeaters break on me.
I gave up on those piles of dung and went to a simple platform SPD pedal for now, and have a set ot Time ATACs as well, that need cleats.

Eh, I run one form or the other of Eggbeaters on my bike with no problems at all. On the other hand, my SPD's are sitting on my shelf because they never can have the right release tension and they clog up with mud to easily.

I'm sure you guys have the knowledge and experience to realise that TimeSport (since 1987) has been around much longer and has far fewer associated problems than crankbros (late '90s I think), effectively the new kid on the block and a time atac knock off (albeit an imaginative one).

Crankbros is also one of the few companies I was warned against their products by LBS sales people and mechanics.

http://www.timesport.fr/us/home.htm
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/manufacturers/3421/

Because they're different?

IMHO SPD's are one of the worst MTB pedals made. I've ridden SPD's, TIME, Eggbeaters, and a few others. SPD's just can't compare with any of them. Just my opinion though, I know people who love 'em.

...and how many years of riding has brought you to this conclusion?

Because they're different?

IMHO SPD's are one of the worst MTB pedals made. I've ridden SPD's, TIME, Eggbeaters, and a few others. SPD's just can't compare with any of them. Just my opinion though, I know people who love 'em.

I feel the exact opposite. I've always used SPD and recently tried some Candy SL's just to see if I was missing something. I'm not missing anything but my SPD's. I'll be changing back soon. You've really tried all those pedals? For how many rides? It takes me along time to figure out what I like, unless it's real obvious.

for what it's worth, I've had about 3 sets of eggbeaters break on me.
I gave up on those piles of dung and went to a simple platform SPD pedal for now, and have a set ot Time ATACs as well, that need cleats.

How'd they break? Fall off the spindle? Crack/snap one of the bars?

Eggbeaters are great pedals for people who don't ride a lot. If you ride a lot, especially in mucky condition, the bearings wear out really fast. The major design flaw of these pedals is that the outer bearing seems to hold the pedal body to the spindle. When they wear they fall off, which sucks when you're way out in the woods. Regular bearing replacement helps prevent this. If you want evidence of their bearing life go to a local LBS that stocks a lot of them. Ask them how many rebuild kits they stock, and then how many rebuild kits they stock for other brands. You'll be shocked.

SPD bearings are some of the best of any pedal out there. They will last and last. Newer SPD models have opened up a bit for better mud clearance. I recently switched from ATACs to SPDs and I love them. The engagement and float feel better.

I had really good luck with Time ATAC pedals as well. I never had the bearing crap out even after thousands of miles. I managed to break one pair by slamming it really hard on a rock. It broke one of the cleat retention bars. What I didn't like about them was the side to side float. I often felt like I was hanging off the side of the pedal.

As for the OP... get which ever you like, but look into overhauling the used ones.

Thanks for all the feedback. :) I will take a harder look at SPDs. I had decided against eggbeaters a while ago because of all the negative reviews.

It'll probably come down to price. I'll keep you posted as I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats about my decision :D

h, bearing failure/spindle dettachment mainly. Mind you this was on an '07 Trek fuel EX 9.5, so this happened over the course of about a year. I'm not in the habit of bearing maintenance/replacement every 4 months as I have LOOK road pedals I haven't touched the bearings on in 20 years and they still work smooth as silk.

Anyway, the SPD setup I have now is great.. they have a platform I can use with normal shoes, or cleat up as desired. A bit pedestrian perhaps, but the serve the function I wanted. The ability to ride cleatless without swapping pedals or using clip-in plates.

...and how many years of riding has brought you to this conclusion?

A year and three months, about. I started on SPD's.

So, just to catch me up on all this lingo, how many different types of pedals are there and whats SPD? lol

So, just to catch me up on all this lingo, how many different types of pedals are there and whats SPD? lol

SPD is a type of cleat and pedal design. It stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics.

There's countless kinds of clipless pedals. The main ones you see on MTB's most commonly (in my area) are SPD, Eggbeaters, Time ATACs and another one which isn't popping into my head at this moment.

...another one which isn't popping into my head at this moment.

speedpray flog

speedpray flog

You mean Frog?

And that's it.

A year and three months, about. I started on SPD's.

Oooooooo, a whole year and three months. You keep up with days as well?

Oooooooo, a whole year and three months. You keep up with days as well?

"about"

Do you always insist on downsizing what everyone says? I said it's my opinion. Great, you love SPD's, but I hate them.

"about"

Do you always insist on downsizing what everyone says? I said it's my opinion. Great, you love SPD's, but I hate them.

I never said I love SPDs and I don't down size everyone.

I never said I love SPDs and I don't down size everyone.

You obviously disagree with me, and you downsize me all the time.

You obviously disagree with me, and you downsize me all the time.

...but I never said I loved SPDs.

Oh, I downsize you all the time. That may have some truth to it.

The point is you groms have very little experience but you get on a forum and say stupid crap like "SPDs are some of the worst MTB pedals made". Girlscout has been riding for six years and and he is still clueless on a lot of things.

SPDs nor Eggbeaters suck. It's all personal preference.

...but I never said I loved SPDs.

Oh, I downsize you all the time. That may have some truth to it.

The point is you groms have very little experience but you get on a forum and say stupid crap like "SPDs are some of the worst MTB pedals made". Girlscout has been riding for six years and and he is still clueless on a lot of things.

How many times do I have to say it's my opinion? I hate SPD's because the tensioning device can never be set right for me. I either pull out when hammering or can't clip out when I stop. Other people may have stronger ankles or whatever than me, but SPD's will always suck for me personally.

How many times do I have to say it's my opinion? I hate SPD's because the tensioning device can never be set right for me. I either pull out when hammering or can't clip out when I stop. Other people may have stronger ankles or whatever than me, but SPD's will always suck for me personally.

The way I ride requires the toughest, strongest ankles available. SPD's!

How many times do I have to say it's my opinion? I hate SPD's because the tensioning device can never be set right for me. I either pull out when hammering or can't clip out when I stop. Other people may have stronger ankles or whatever than me, but SPD's will always suck for me personally.

how many different brands or model of SPD system pedals have you tried, out of curiosity?
Mayve the one pair you used wasn't the best for tension adjustment?

how many different brands or model of SPD system pedals have you tried, out of curiosity?
Mayve the one pair you used wasn't the best for tension adjustment?

M520, M540 and A Cheap-O Wellgo model.

Hard decisions.... 520's or eggbeaters./

540s aren't that much more expensive.

Can we just agree that whoever is reading this thread can judge for themselves as to who has the more informed opinion? Thanks.

Ask a bikeshop.