Road Cycling - got candy?

Looking at going clippless and searched a few LBS's yesterday, and was really interested in these pedals. Looked at the Candy SL and the Candy C. Will be installing them on a 05 Trek 1000.

How do these pedals compare to Shimano 105 and the Look models? I prefer the Shimano over the Look butreally interested in the advantage of the two sided clip in. I know they are used in mtn biking alot. And I already understand the different shoes that go with each. Just looking for advice on the pedals.

Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks in advance for any advice.

do you have any knee issues?

do you have any knee issues?

Funny you ask....YES

left knee total reconstruction 1999
right knee total reconstruction 2 wks 2 days ago.

So just a little.

I find it really wild that you asked that considering my situation. Is there something I should know about them specifically in relation to my knees?

I guess you'd be surprised how many cyclists have knee issues then.

"right knee total reconstruction 2 wks 2 days ago"
-- Shouldn't you be on platforms then, for like months? You should definitely talk to your doctor!

IF your doc says it's cool to use clipless, then focus less on a particular pedal and more on what it does for you.

The biggest factor is float. The big roar for a while was that peeps with bad knees like/need lots of float. But there are enough people with bad knees who prefer/need a whole lot less float. Some prefer none. Meaning there is NO rule for pedals. I have a bad knee and it took me several different pedals to determine that ~6* is what I need. Your needs are probably different.

I think eggs provide some of the least float on the market. They have a neutral position -- from what I've heard -- that enourages your foot to return to it. My knee would not like that at all.

I need a bit of float or I get tendonitis (i think), but too much float allows my knee, which can't track very well, to pop.

There's two adjustable float pedals on the popular market -- Look with their indexed setup, I think 0,3,6,9* and Speedplay Zeros with their adjustable 0-15*... tho I don't think it tells you specifically where you're at.

I tried spd, look(alikes), X, and finally settled on Ultegras.

Again, ask your doctor if you can use clipless.

I ride because of my bad knees. I really can't do much else for cardio.

Thanks LordOpie,
re: the platforms...I talked to him about going ahead and cycling, and he cleared me. Now with that being said, I didn't ask about clipless pedals. I am up and walking and have been for the past week. I was in great shape prior the surgery since I hike alot and have been exercising three to four times a week at the gym prior to surgery. I have reached 110 degree flex already (if you understand what that means???). Just a FYI. Good suggestion tho to ask.

The Candy C and the SL say they have a 6 percent float. quote from their website:

"float.

The candy sl has 6 degrees rotational float. when you clip out, the front and back release simultaneously. the rear of the cleat moves out as much as the front moves in. the spring pressure ramps up from zero (through the 6 degrees of float) up until release.
mud and snow. with fewer parts than many other clipless pedals, the candy sl is excellent for clearing debris. its open design sheds mud and snow easily. "

Is there a difference in rotational float and what you described?

So when you tried these pedals did your LBS let you take these out and try them for a couple rides? PS I am calling tomorrow to ask the Doc if I am ok to go clipless, rather be safe than sorry. I don't need surgery again.
Brooks, kinda the boat I am in because of the knees, no more basketball or tennis.

Thanks for all your help.

If you have knee problems, I'd say try the Speedplay X-1 or X-2. They'll provide up to 25 degrees of float and are light, even when adding cleat weight. Moreover they are really easy to clip in as they are identical on both sides.

I have X-2 and wouldn't go back to my old Looks.

x-cut, I never tried eggs or any of their variants. As for their advantage to shed mud, etc... I don't think that applies on the road. My mtb friends who have eggs love 'em, but I never had much issue with my SPDs off-road and I do get seriously muddy somtimes.

My LBS is Performance Bikes and they're really good about taking back returns. If you're planning on trying several pedals, do your absolutely best not to damage the cleats. Buy several and a pedal wrench... keep the wrench, it's good to have on hand.

Stoch (above) loves Xs, I hate 'em. They are an amazing pedal and I found nothing wrong with them at all, but they were not for me. If you can afford 'em, try Zeros. Buy the caps for the cleats if you choose 'em.

I wound up with Shimano Ultegras cuz I love the cleat. I don't walk very far in 'em, but it's a very stable and walk friendly cleat. So is the SPD. The Ultegras are easy (for me) to get in and out and have the right float. I suspect Campy Chorus pedals are very similar, so give 'em a try too or instead.

While I've never had a pedal break outright, the SPDs have two pedals in one, so if one side breaks, you can clip into the other. They're the only pedal with a "back-up".

If your LBS doesn't have a return guarantee, go talk to 'em, maybe they'll let you try several on a trainer? I knew within a mile that Xs weren't for me.

I type all this and encourage you to try different pedals cuz you seem really focused on eggs... they may very well be for you, but maybe not.

Also, does your bike fit you? If you don't want to pay for a fitting, read http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm ... too far out of fit and your knees may suffer.

Did you buy your Trek at the same store you'll be buying pedals?

If you fit the cleats yourself, go for a long test ride and expect to adjust 'em on the fly several times.

I think eggs provide some of the least float on the market. They have a neutral position -- from what I've heard -- that enourages your foot to return to it. My knee would not like that at all.

I've got some candies and you're correct, rotating your foot spreads the bars and the spring puts a small amount of force on your foot. That said, my wife and I both like the pedals.

FWIW, I didn't like speedplays, It felt like I had to turn my foot 90 degrees to disengage, the eggbeaters come out very easily by comparison.

-murray

crosscut - I'm using Eggbeaters now. Regarding your original question: I've owned Look-style pedals, SPD-style pedals and the eggbeaters. In terms of ease of entry and exit, the Eggbeaters are the easiest to get in and out of hands down. The 4-sided entry is a huge advantage. This is why I love them for commuting. Leaving a stoplight I can clip in on the first try 95% of the time -- without looking down. If your favorite bike routes involve repetitive stop and go's, then ease of entry and exit can make the difference between an enjoyable ride and an irritating ride. I know, I've been there.

I have not tried the Candy's. I do not know if the platform makes the entry/exit easier, harder or the same.

Thanks James, Murrays, Stoch, and LordOpie.

I am getting professional fitted for my bike Friday afternoon. I had seen it on here several times (the recommendation) so I called the bike shop in which I bought the bike from and they will do it free since I bought the bike from them. I think I have found a great bike shop and will see if they will allow me to try several pedals. Starting to believe that at least 30 percent of a bike purchase is the actual shop behind it.

As for now, waiting on the Doctor to call me back and see what he says. I will see and keep you posted.
Thanks for all your help!

You guys rock the casbar.

I have not tried the Candy's. I do not know if the platform makes the entry/exit easier, harder or the same.

The platform does hinder entry a bit. I notice it’s easier to get in on one side of the pedals vs. the other. Plus, I had to whittle some of my shoe tread away for clearance.

-murray

Marrays,
Which shoe do you have?

Marrays,
Which shoe do you have?

I'm using the Shimano sandals with the candies.

-murray

do you have any knee issues?
Eggbeaters killed my knees. Like mentioned above, they have lots of float (amount of twist before they release), BUUUUUUTTTTT, it is NOT free float. Anything other than 0 degrees, and you have spring tension.

I switched to SpeedPlay FROGs and have had NO problems. They have tons of float. And there is zero spring tension. If your foot likes to be at 7 degrees, or whatever, it can be there without the pedal trying to twist it back to zero. The float on these is free float. I also found them WAY easier to get in and out of than the Eggs.

Cool, that's kinda what I was wondering....if the rotational float and float described by their site was the same. Makes sense now. Probably stay away from them then. Still haven't heard back from the Doc and thinking I will wait and see what the Doc and the LBS that is fitting me Friday as to say afterwards. More research ahead.

Thanks guys.

I personally haven't had any knee problems with my Eggs specifically. I've had mild anterior knee pain with all 3 of the pedals I've owned. I suspect it's from overdoing the big ring from time to time. When the mood strikes, it's hammer time!

Avalanche325 says Eggs hurt his knees. I believe him. I don't think my Eggs have hurt mine. Knees and pedals are personal things. So I think the best thing is to try different pedals to see what works for you. Every pedal has its fans and detractors. Heck, some people still prefer toe clips.

Eggbeaters killed my knees.

FWIW, my wife said her knees felt like someone was jabbing a pen into her knee after I put on the Candies. I made some adjustments and she's been using them ever since and she has a history of knee problems on the bike.

Not to say the egg beaters will work for everyone, but sometimes your knee problems are a matter of adjustment.

-murray

I just got into riding. For my first long ride of 54 miles, I used Addidas road shoes with Keywinn clipless pedals. The rode fine, but I did get worrisome about unclipping.

So then the next two weeks I tried Candy SLs. They were great to clip in and out, but I developmed anterior knee pain, I even tried saddle adjustments and cleat adjustments, but it was still noticeably painful.

I switched back to the Keywinns and still notice some anterior knee pain, but not as much. It's a shame because I really love the design and ease of clipping in/out that the Candy SLs provided. I know that the axles are shorter on the Candy SLs than my Keywinns so my feet would be a little closer to my bike with the beaters.

I have had both SPD's and I now ride Candy C's. I feel the Candy's are MUCH easier to click in and out of. I also feel they have much more float than the SPD's. I ride a road bike but I like the "mountain" shoes so I can walk around when I am off my bike. I would buy these again.

I have the candies SLs on my bike and I like them alot-they are easy to get in and out on, and they do offer float. I also like being able to choose which amount of rotation to get them out, and also that cleat alignment allows a bunch of choices. I use them on my mountainbike with Sidi megas and had to add the shim they come with. On my road bike, I also use megas-road ones, and did not need the shim. One thing I did do for the road is get the cleats with the "outriggers" on them so I could walk easier and protect the cleat a bit. I noticed with it, I seem to find the pedal alot easier.
JMHO