General Cycling Discussion - pedal dilemma

hi, hopefully this is the right section to post this question, my apologies if it isnt

i want to purchase clipless pedals(1st time) and im undecided between the Shimano Ultegra PD-6610 Pedals
and Time ATAC Aluim Pedals both are roughly the same price

my main criterias would be ease of clipping in and out and durability
ill be using them for riding around town, commuting and the occasional century

id like to get your opinions and advice on this, thank you

Atacs are MTB pedals, meaning you can walk on the shoes. The 6610's are road pedals, which are non-recessed. Walking on them is not as easy.

If you're planning on performing errands on your rides around town or stopping ever during your commute then get the atacs. The ultegras will be a completely superior pedal in every other regard besides the walkability. Huge platform, huge contact area.

The ultegras will be a completely superior pedal in every other regard besides the walkability.

Read: you pretty much can't walk in the shoes unless you walk like a duck due to the way the cleats are.

The ultegras will be a completely superior pedal in every other regard besides the walkability. Huge platform, huge contact area.

How do you figure the Ultegra's to be a completely superior pedal in every way? The OP mentioned his two main concerns are ease of entry / exit and durability. Dual-sided pedals are easier to get in and out of then road-specific pedals -- just stomp and go. No need to learn to flip the pedal over to get the right side up.

Durability? Neither pedal mentioned by the OP is crazy light. I can't imagine either one would break under normal usage.

The OP will be commuting, which indicates to me at least some walking through the office. While walking in road shoes isn't difficult, it is somewhat ungainly and awkward.

Centuries? I rode probably 50 centuries over the years with SPD (the MTB version) pedals. Shoes with good stiff soles eliminated any hot-spot issues I was seeing. The larger contact area afforded by road shoes has some benefit when you're trying to wring out every last ounce of performance from your bike, but for recreational and errand riding, I don't think they offer any substantial benefits.

How do you figure the Ultegra's to be a completely superior pedal in every way? The OP mentioned his two main concerns are ease of entry / exit and durability. Dual-sided pedals are easier to get in and out of then road-specific pedals -- just stomp and go. No need to learn to flip the pedal over to get the right side up.

Durability? Neither pedal mentioned by the OP is crazy light. I can't imagine either one would break under normal usage.

The OP will be commuting, which indicates to me at least some walking through the office. While walking in road shoes isn't difficult, it is somewhat ungainly and awkward.

Centuries? I rode probably 50 centuries over the years with SPD (the MTB version) pedals. Shoes with good stiff soles eliminated any hot-spot issues I was seeing. The larger contact area afforded by road shoes has some benefit when you're trying to wring out every last ounce of performance from your bike, but for recreational and errand riding, I don't think they offer any substantial benefits.

I agree and for ease of use and comfort of walking it is hard to beat a double sided pedal and the Time Atac is as user friendly as they come for a first time clipless user. ATAC is simply Auto Tension Adjustment Concept.

Here is a good explanation of how ATAC works even on the Alium.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Time_ATAC_Carbon_World_Champion/content_35297005188

I have them on both road bikes and am considering them for my MTB/ errand runner.

In my opinion SPD with MTN shoes is the best compromise out there. I can ride with roadies, commute, shop and all with ease. I never think about my shoes all day. Good luck!

I was at the LBS last night deciding if I wanted to finally put road-specific pedals on my road bike (I'm a mountain guy primarily so my road bike has M520s on it) since I was already buying a new pair of shoes. I took ten steps in SPD-SLs and Looks and said F this. Bought some PI Attacks with SPDs and called it a day.

I'm a guy, I don't know how to walk in heels (though they make my calves look FABulous) and I have no intention of learning.

How do you figure the Ultegra's to be a completely superior pedal in every way? The OP mentioned his two main concerns are ease of entry / exit and durability. Dual-sided pedals are easier to get in and out of then road-specific pedals -- just stomp and go. No need to learn to flip the pedal over to get the right side up.

Durability? Neither pedal mentioned by the OP is crazy light. I can't imagine either one would break under normal usage.

The OP will be commuting, which indicates to me at least some walking through the office. While walking in road shoes isn't difficult, it is somewhat ungainly and awkward.

Centuries? I rode probably 50 centuries over the years with SPD (the MTB version) pedals. Shoes with good stiff soles eliminated any hot-spot issues I was seeing. The larger contact area afforded by road shoes has some benefit when you're trying to wring out every last ounce of performance from your bike, but for recreational and errand riding, I don't think they offer any substantial benefits.

Time to learn to read the whole post before replying. Don't selectively quote my posts to push your own agenda.

My main concern would be if you walk around with the cycling shoes on.

That would be the deciding factor on which pedals to get.

Want to walk about and you will need an MTB type shoe- and these also come in touring styles.

Don't have to walk at all- (Because you will not be able to walk far in them) and go for a road type shoe.

Road shoes have the cleat exposed and normally will require a 3 bolt fixing on the shoe. MTB (SPD Type) shoes have a recessed cleat with a 2 bolt fixing that will allow you to walk around in.