Mountain Biking - What clipless pedals are best for mountain biking?

I have tried the toe clip pedals and don't like them. I have clipless on my road bike but they are the SPD SL style, which I don't think will work good on a mountain bike. Looking for some thoughts on what works for you guys.

Everyone has their favorite kind.

Get a set of pd-m520's and be done with it.

Everyone has their preferences. Ran XTs for a while, run Time ATACs exclusively now. Better when your cleats pack with dirt and mud.

I have clipless on my road bike but they are the SPD style, which I don't think will work good on a mountain bike.

Hmm, didn't Shimano invent SPD initially for off-road and Mtn Biking? Now, if you're talking SPD-SL, that might be a different story.

Everyone has their preference. But Crank Brothers is the best :-)

Everyone has their preference. But Crank Brothers is the best :-)

Another vote for Crank Bros. They've never misbehaved in any way. Reasonably priced, too

I like the crank brothers interface, but a warning... they are called the crap brothers for a reason. I've rebuilt the candies I have twice in as many years, my friend never touched his SPD for a decade almost. If you decide on crank brothers candy/eggbeater, get the 2011 it looks to be much more reliable design.

Shimano SPDs. I bought them used, never rebuilt them, work perfectly. You can unclip easily. Just don't buy any SPD clones. I've tried three brands (after the first two, you'd think I would know better). None worked nearly as good as the Shimano brand although Ritchey brand comes close.

Right now you can pick up the Shimano PD M770 XT pedals for about $80 bucks at a number of places. Great price for a great pedal

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/PE287A00-Shimano+Xt+Pd-M770+Clipless+Pedals.aspx?sc=FRGL

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M770-Deore-Mountain-Pedals/dp/B00115PE7W/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Ditto on SPD, I have had good luck with all levels of the Shimamo pedals. They have great adjustments for setting the about of tension it takes to get your foot out. I use them on my MTBs and my road tandem.

just got a pair of Shimano PD M540s...and love them! Im itching to give the Crank Bros a shot too.

I like the crank brothers interface, but a warning... they are called the crap brothers for a reason. I've rebuilt the candies I have twice in as many years, my friend never touched his SPD for a decade almost. If you decide on crank brothers candy/eggbeater, get the 2011 it looks to be much more reliable design.

Yep, the new design is much more reliable. The new pedals look great too.

Yep, the new design is much more reliable.

Reliability is a measure of performance over time. So I have to ask, how long have you been riding them?

Running Look on MTB & CX bikes

trippn1, I like the SPD double sided style. If I'm going to use the bike for an easy family toodle I can click in platform adapters for flip flops. I can't say anything negative about my Richey pedals after thirteen years... look like crap, work like brand new.

Brad

Reliability is a measure of performance over time. So I have to ask, how long have you been riding them?

I don't have the new version, I ride the old style and have to rebuild every two years or so. I guess time will tell on the new models, but from Crank Brothers they are advertised to have solved the wear problems in the bearings and bushings. IMO, the ease of exit and entry, along with how well it retains the foot for upward pressure on the pedal, Crank Bros are worth rebuilding.

http://www.southwatercycles.com/smsimg/83/1039-2612-main-wellgo20mg120mag-83.jpg



:innocent:

I just got some PD-M520s that I'm looking forward to trying when I get the time. Never gone clipless myself either, but I got them and some shoes on a great deal on Black Friday and thought why the heck not.

I've been riding with Crank Brothers for years and periodically try SPD's. Last time was 2 weeks ago. In 2009 I rode with them for 2-3 months. Forget SPDs. The CB clip in easier and clip out much much easier so easier that they can get bumped out by a log. They clip out like butter, real real easy, that's I want in MTB riding. I also use them on the road. However, the bearings on them are crap and they last a few years and then they need to be rebuilt for about $25. I've new CB on sale for that price. I've never heard of SPDs needing rebuilding.

CB egg beaters are best at minimalness and shedding mud; dirt; grime; and nastiness! I just don't like the egg beaters. I like the Candy's myself for a wider platform.

Speedplay Frogs. Spend the money and buy the best.

Xpedo's are my favorite. Lighter / smaller than Shimano XT's (and le$$).

185265

I've been using various models of Shimano SPDs for the past 19 years or so. No issues or complaints. The upper end of the SPD line are some of the most durable pedals on the market. I've got a set of PD-M747 pedals that I bought back in 1995 that are still going strong.

I just bought a set of Shimano PD m540s as my introduction into the clipless world. these were highly recommended by a friend. I have not had a chance to put them on my bike yet.

Best is all relative to riding ability and situation, but any double sided SPD pedal should fit the bill.

I have tried various kinds. I always go back to Shimano SPD pedals. Now I have them on all of my bikes, and I have their cleats on all of my cycling shoes (even a pair of cycling sandals from Keens that works great in the heat for short easy rides).

The XTR version is amazing, but pricey.

This (the m647) is my recommendation. It's the best combination of price, value and function:

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/pedal/shimano/pd-m647/PRD_362878_135crx.aspx

And I have a ten year old precursor to it, which weighs a lot more but still works fine.

I've been riding the same set of Speedplay Frogs since 1995-96.

It's kind of hard to test different pedals but I got mine from someone who owed me money. Better than cash.

I use Crank Bros with great success. Easy to engage and release. Relatively lightweight and inexpensive. Candy's are good, but Eggbeaters are better (easier to engage). I would avoid the Smarty's (they often come stock on new bikes).

185855

SPDs (or their clones) because the kick ass.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/GGCSP/5-3-2007016.jpg

Crank brothers Egg beaters.

I use the crank bros mallet pedal and i couldnt be happier... Yes they are a little heavier with the cage, but it makes it easy to jump on a quick ride and not have to use clipless shoes.

Speedplay FROGs or ATAC both ahead of the rest.

Get some Shimano PD-M520's - it's a basic pedal that works fine. If you've never used clipless pedals on a mountain bike before, you won't know what your preferences really are, so it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money. Plus, using a common system like Shimano (or Crank Brothers) makes it easy to take your friends' bikes for a spin!

Then, when you have a better handle on what you want, you can go from there. If you decide you want good mud-clearing, you can buy Time ATACs. If you decide you want gobs of float, you can buy Speedplays. If you decide you want a pedal that'll snap at the spindle or seize and unscrew, you can buy Crank Bros. :innocent:

FWIW, I'm very new to mountain biking (just built up my first "real" mountain bike a couple weeks ago), so my experience with MTB pedals comes mostly from commuting and cyclocross. 'Cross is basically a torture test for all your components; if you hang out in that scene, you'll see what each pedal's strengths and weaknesses really are. I've never seen anyone bring Speedplay pedals to a cross race, and the guys running Shimano have troubles with peanut-butter mud that users of superior systems can clip right through.

You also mentioned that your experience with clipless pedals has been with SPD-SL road pedals, so you might not be used to the amount of float on MTB pedals (some brands even float side-to-side!). It's there because they don't have an angle adjustment like your road pedals - suck it up and deal. It doesn't really suck that much power from your stroke. :lol:

Incidentally, if anyone came up with an adjustable-angle cleat for MTB use and a no-float option, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I love the red cleats for SPD-SL.