Cyclocross - eggbeaters

ok so i am building a cx bike, nothing too serious, i just want to be able to hit the packed dirt paths near where i work and MAAYBE do a race or two to test the waters, anyway:

i searched pedals, and it seems like majority of cx riders are using a crank bros pedal, eggbeaters seem to be very popular. all the threads reference the eggbeaters (particularly the c's) breaking often.

what exactly breaks?? eggbeater c's off of nashbar are like $50, should i not buy these? will they catastrophically fail on me??

Eggbeaters are also popular among cross-country mtb racers.
1. They are very light.
2. They shed mud the best of anything out there.
3. They are very easy to get in and out of.

I've had one of the tongs bust off from pedalstrike. The pedal is still usable, but only has two instead of four entry points. (I don't use this one for cross racing.)

I've also had a pair of the real cheap ones (MXR?) completely stick. They refunded me completely.

So, there it is, fwiw.

Flargle, CB warrantied mine that did that. I didn't really expect them to, but they did.

they don't "break often."

some people have broken them, but almost every time it's either after years of use or after particularly harsh treatment.

crank bros is widely known for their customer service. their pedals are unlikely to fail on you but if they do they'll make it right.

Flargle, CB warrantied mine that did that. I didn't really expect them to, but they did.Maybe sounds dumb, but I just didn't want to bother. I still use them on my mtb.

I am a long time user of Shimano SPD's. I gave the egg-beaters a very fair chance over the summer. I stuck with my SPD's. I spend a lot of time walking in my cycle shoes (I wear them all day when I commute) and on my shoes, the crank brothers cleat extends past the bottom of the shoe, which is sort of uncomfy.

Egg beaters work. They do their job. SPD pedals have a adjustable tension which is awesome. The big downer on the egg-beaters to me is that they didn't really provide a lot of feedback when I was trying to clip in. The SPD pedals really give you a snap feeling in your shoe that lets you know you're in. eggies didnt do that so much. you might not care about that. I did.

I use the eggbeater SL and am a long time user of crankbrother's pedals especially the Candy's. I like them for the sake of the they are light wieght, they make exit /entry into the pedal almost effortless as there is no platform etc to clash with cleats , tread pattern of your shoes. I use the SIDI dominator and the eggbeater for my cross bike, my fixed gear road and for my SS MTB. I like that there is also no need for a pedal wrench, just an allen key which may be included in your bike tool you would generally have in your jersey.

From what i've read, most of the people who complain about Eggbeaters falling apart where using the lower end models. I've read very little about people having issues with the SL model.

I have Eggbeaters (and their variations, all SL models) on all my bicycles. Eggbeaters, 3 pairs of Candies, and Quattros. :)

I have Eggbeater Cs with over 12,000 miles on it (on my second cleat set.) It's still not broken.

^^^ thats what i wanted to hear, just ordered the C's.

Nice! For every break you hear about online, there are thousands of other happy users.

Maybe sounds dumb, but I just didn't want to bother. I still use them on my mtb.

No, I hear you. I didn't send mine in for a month or two because my race season was basically over and I was just using the cross bike for commuting.

Edit: and I know a lot of people like pure beaters for cross, but after using candies on my mountain bike, I switched to them on my cross bike. I really can tell the difference, and find it easier to clip in with a slightly large platform in everything but mud, which is not a huge issue in most of my races. And it's not like candies are particularly bad int he mud, just not quite as good as the straight beaters.

Well, okay. Here's how it goes.

1. Eggbeater C's break because the C model is the lowest end (I think) eggbeater that CrankBros make. For a little more money, you can get Eggbeater SL's which, according to threads, never break. I have them at home, but I havent put them on my bike yet (they just came yesterday).

2. That being said, Eggbeaters are REALLY light. I mean, compared to SPDs, they weigh nothing.

Plus, if you buy on Backcountry.com, they have a lifetime, no questions asked warranty. So basically, if you get them and they DO break, you can get them replaced.

No, MXRS/ Smarties are the lowest end.

I have broke a few of the C's. When you get yours, look at them closely. There is a spot there on the body that is welded together. If they break that is where it will happen. I have two sets of SL's and they are the only ones I use off road now. I have had one set for three years and the other I bought second hand, and they are the older of the two generations (I can't think of the year they switched off the top of my head) I have had no real issues with them. Like I said I have broken a few C's, so now they are only on my road bikes.

they don't "break often."

some people have broken them, but almost every time it's either after years of use or after particularly harsh treatment.

crank bros is widely known for their customer service. their pedals are unlikely to fail on you but if they do they'll make it right.

It probably depends on how big you are and how much "crank" you put into it. I break about two CB axels a year. I range from 270# to 290# and I mash my way up steep hills.

I can vouch for Crank Brothers excellent customer service.

i have broken 3 pairs, from the C's to the Ti ones, but this is during messenger use, so alot more clipping in and out than the usual rider... switched to SPDs for a minute, but crankbros are the best for cross, they shed mud easy, and the few cross races i did with the SPDs, i felt like i was slipping off the pedal when unclipping during the dismount... not sure why... but always feel comfortable with eggbeaters, i switch cleats once or twice a year, on the shoes i courier with.

I have the Eggbeater Sls on my road and mountain bike and love them. And I found them cheapest here. This website continuously has the lowest prices.

http://www.treefortbikes.com/

I spent a few hours last week researching new pedals - seems the primary gripes with CB pedals were with their chro-moly versions.

I spent a few hours last week researching new pedals - seems the primary gripes with CB pedals were with their chro-moly versions.

You'll have no better luck with the Ti ones. Chromoly is stronger than titanium. At least ... it's SUPPOSED to be.

In any case the primary beef with Egg Beaters is that they break readily. Excellent design, crappy manufacturing.