Cyclocross - Eggbeaters or Candy's???

What do you guys think? This will be my first time going with clipless, so I have zero experience. I keep leaning towards the eggbeaters, but the candies seem a little more "solid". Probably just because I've never ridden clipless, but I'm just not sure. I will probably be running Northwave Lizzards shoes if that helps. not sure how stiff of a platform, but I would imagine it would be stiff enough for the beaters. Just want your guys' opinions is all, and thanks in advance!

I actually like them both for different reasons.
I have eggbeaters on my cyclocross bike. I like them because they are really easy to clip in, lightweight, and have really good mud-shedding capability.
I have candies on my commuting cross bike w/ road tires. I like them because they are almost as easy to clip in as the eggbeaters, but they have a better platform to pedal on if you don't clip in right away (ex. at the start of the intersection).

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I actually have a pair of used-twice candy c's w/ new cleats I'm looking to sell for $40 plus shipping if you are interested at all.

I hope this helps your decision.

I actually ordered a pair of Eggbeater SL's this morning. Hopefully I'll like them!

I'd say egg beaters so you made the right choice. I started on candies and then moved to egg beaters and they are easier to clip in, as easy to use for a few revolutions when you don't manage to clip in and look WAY cooler!

For us cycle component slang illiterates, could you please describe what egg beaters and candies are? Many of us newbies want to get involved, but feel left out of conversations like this not knowing the terminology. Thanks.

http://www.crankbrothers.com/eggbeater.php

http://www.crankbrothers.com/candy.php

You have a cleat attached to the bottom of your cycling shoes and they clip into the pedal.

I actually like them both for different reasons.
I have eggbeaters on my cyclocross bike. I like them because they are really easy to clip in, lightweight, and have really good mud-shedding capability.
I have candies on my commuting cross bike w/ road tires. I like them because they are almost as easy to clip in as the eggbeaters, but they have a better platform to pedal on if you don't clip in right away (ex. at the start of the intersection).

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I actually have a pair of used-twice candy c's w/ new cleats I'm looking to sell for $40 plus shipping if you are interested at all.

I hope this helps your decision.

Same logic with different result:

I have eggbeaters on my mountain bike.

But on the cx bike ( I don't race but do take it out in the woods ) I prefer the Candy with it's small platform. I'm on and off the bike much more with the cx bike and like the extra space if I don't clip in right away.

To the OP, I think you'll be happy. There a lots of choices and opinions about pedals, but I think the CB stuff is as good as anything out there and the differences at that level are just personal preference.

Mountain: eggbeaters
CX/Commuter: candy
Road: quattros

Eggbeaters are the way to roll with cross or any bike where you need quick/sloppy clip-in. Be warned, however, you must always buy at least the SL model in CB lineups. Everything below the SL level will be utter crap.

that's why I went with the sl's because I heard that everywhere. Plus I'm all about stainless (rust blows). Plus I don't mind spending a little more money if it's going to last in the long run. Didn't get them yet, hopefully they'll come monday or tuesday. Still need to order my cyclocross bike (waiting till monday when the store is going to let me know how much they're giving me for my Trek 6500 mtb). Can't imagine it will take more than a week for my Presidio to arrive. Pretty pumped at this point. Still need to buy some damn clipless shoes though. Probably going to order the Northwave Lizzards, but really at a loss here as these will be my first clipless outing. What kind of shoes do you guys recommend for $150 or less? I was also looking at the Keen Springwaters, but didn't think they'd be stiff enough for the eggbeaters. Maybe I'm wrong though because they do have a platform underneath. Let me know what you guys think.

I got the cheapest egg beaters and candies and no problems so far *touch wood*

I've broken two pairs of Candy SL's and my Smarty's are starting to go. I really like Crank Bros. but like someone said, you have to pony up the bucks for the better quality models.

I'd say that the SL model is just as "tough" as the ti models. Ti isn't all that great for something like a pedal cage.

I got the cheapest egg beaters and candies and no problems so far *touch wood*

I killed those in 4.5 months of a Toronto winter.


I'd say that the SL model is just as "tough" as the ti models. Ti isn't all that great for something like a pedal cage.

IIRC, unless you go all the way up in their EB lineup, Ti means spindle only. Ti in a pedal is extremely WW and not worth any extra cash. So, I agree with you completely.