Mountain Biking - caged clipless

I want to go clipless, I really do...but I dont want to be without cages to put my feet on...Everyone recommends the Time ATACs but I've heard that it can be difficult to clip out of them, and that's a problem I want to avoid completely. What is the best set of clipless pedals with cages out there? It would be nice if they weren't too heavy, but that isn't most important. I would go completely clipless if I could be totally confident that I could clip out in any situation with no problems. Frogs sound cool too because people say it's a cinch to get out of them, but they collect mud I guess. Those eggbeater pedals are weird?

I'm running a set of the Time ATAC pedals and I love them. Getting out of them is no problem. They work great in muddy conditions and last and last. There is a huge amount of float so your knees wont ache. What else? Oh yeah, the cleat is compatible with almost any shoe. The weight is very competitive with other pedals. You can get stupid light and go with the carbon pedals and the titanium axles. I wouldn't recommend this unless you're 130 lbs and have an unlimited bank account, but if you're weight conscious, go for it! I've used SPD's before I used the Times and I'll never go back!

Complaints? Well, the cleat is made of brass and tends to wear out quicker than regular SPD cleats. You can't adjust the spring tension.(but that hasn't ever affected me).

That's about it!
L8R G8R

I think I'm decided on getting the time atac. I guess I can just pop on the platforms if I want to do some city thrashing. Now I need to pick out some shoes...hmm I think I'm gonna go to the LBS to try on a few, I don't want to make a purchase like that on the net. I want something with a softer sole, so I can walk around with ease.

I use Shimano 515 SPD myself and like them well enough. They work great and are supercheap. While the mud clearence isn't as good as the ATACs they perform very well.

Time ATAC has long been considered the best MTB pedals by far and I don't think you're going to go wrong with them.

However, you may want to also consider the
Egg Beater (http://www.crankbros.com/ThePedal.htm) pedals. I haven't used them myself, but from what I've read (http://www.madformountainbiking.com/MTBK/Articles.nsf/LookUp) they are much lighter than the ATAC's, shed mud better and are slightly less expensive. They are going to be my next pedal when I upgrade from SPDs.

Just looking at the egg beaters scare me! That and I hate being a guinea pig. I'll wait for a couple of years until they work out all the bugs!

I too have got time pedals "aliums". and there great!, I have used shimano pedals for the most part, then I bought a bike with the time pedals and they have impressed me very much..tons of float,positive engagement/release,simple,light,tough,what else would you want?.

Here's A LINK (http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2001/review_crank_bros_egg.shtml) to a review by www.cyclingnews.com on the Egg Beater pedals that everyone has been talking about.

I went for my first ride on the times today. The difference was incredible. I feel like I have so much more power with every pedal stroke. They were easy to clip in to, but clipping out was more of a problem. I usually could only get one foot out in time before crashing. Guess I'll just have to get used to them more, but all in all the pedals are great!

Originally posted by Diligum
I went for my first ride on the times today. The difference was incredible. I feel like I have so much more power with every pedal stroke. They were easy to clip in to, but clipping out was more of a problem. I usually could only get one foot out in time before crashing. Guess I'll just have to get used to them more, but all in all the pedals are great!


Glad to hear you made the switch. I think you'll be very happy with the TIMES. I'm also a very happy TIMES owner who wouldn't even think of going back to a SPD pedal. One thing that you must do with TIMES since the pedal doesn not have a tension screw on it is play with the cleat position on your shoe. I was having problems unclipping when I first got my pedals but then I started playing with the cleat position until I got it where I no longer have problems getting out. Also, there are cleats available with less float which will also make it easier to unclip. I believe Speedgoat sell these cleats.

Did you adjust the cleats so that the front would be pointed slightly inward or outward to make them clip out easier?

Originally posted by Diligum
Did you adjust the cleats so that the front would be pointed slightly inward or outward to make them clip out easier?


I have the front of the cleats pointing slightly inward. This makes it much easier (for me at least) to get out of the pedal. Also, check out SpeedGoat. They sell cleats that are filed down so they don't have as much float.

If you want to go clipless yet still have the advantage of a cage. Try Azonics Pedal it works awesome.