RobertFrapples

My road bike (fair weather commuter) has eggbeaters. I broke one and CB fixed it for free. My mountain bike has eggbeaters. I broke one and CB fixed it for free.

I just got my final (or so my wife insists) bike - a SS/FG cross bike with fenders, a rack, and (currently) studded tires. I put the pedals from my road bike on it, and it will be my winter/foul weather ride.

While rebuilding the pedals today, I had one fall apart while cleaning it. I did get it back together, but although I love the four-sided entry and ease of use of the eggbeaters, I'm thinking I'll get something else for the fair weather commuter.

I'm torn between wanting to try Speedply Frogs and Speedplay Light Actions. Does anybody use Light Actions (or X or Zeros) on their commuters. Just how bad will they be for walking on when I inevitably need to stop at the grocery store on my way home?

How exactly do you get into the Frogs? Is it a forward kick? How much harder are they to enter/exit than the so-easy-a-caveman-could-do-it eggbeaters?

noglider 

You go through pedals a lot, so I'll recommend Shimano rather than the knockoffs. Try the Shimano M324.

I have a Nashbar knockoff, and I adore it. I think it's made by Wellgo.

Yan 

I had the Speedplay X2 on one of my bikes. The cleat is impossible to walk on and the engagement mechanism fails completely with the slightest bit of dirt. I can't recommend them for anything but recreational road riding.

AndrewP

I have found Shimano SPDs give easier entry/exit than the Wellgo imitations. The A520's are good if your soles are not super stiff. The platform spreads the load, and they are balanced so they are always ready for a quick entry.

no1mad 

I have no experience with clipless at all, so take this with a grain of salt. Wouldn't it be better to leave the eggbeaters on your fair weather rig, and get some nice, grippy platform/bmx ones for your bad weather beater?

tsl

I'm a four-season commuter in Rochester, NY too.

I have Shimano A520s on both my bikes. Although single-sided, they're weighted so that they're positioned right for quick clipping in as you start from a stoplight. (It takes 700 to 800 miles of break-in for them to flip down nice every time.) Yeah, I still miss every once in a while, but it's not a problem.

I have years and years on these pedals on two bikes and they never need anything--no maintenance.

Most importantly, even on rainy or snowy days, I can walk through Wegman's or Tops just fine. Only my hi-viz gives me away.

RobertFrapples

After a year with clipless, it drives me nuts to use platform pedals. I repeatedly forget that I am not clipped in and end up with my feet off the pedals due to trying to pedal the whole way around.

DG Going Uphill

I used to have Frogs. The setup is super easy due to all that free float. They are also easy to get in and out of, BUT, they get sloppy fast. I found myself constantly messing with the back tension screw to keep my foot from sliding forward and back as I pedaled. Also, the pedal/cleat interface needed to be lubed every couple of rides. I did like the grease port, though.

I now have Time ATACs and love them. It took a while to get them setup because there is less room for error than the Frogs, but they are super reliable and easy to use. I had Shimano a long time ago and didn't like that they had centered float -- the pedal pushes you back to zero degrees, meaning the setup had to be exactly perfect or your knees will pay. I don't know if this is still the case with them or if they are now like Time and Look, not nearly as much float as Speedplay, but free float.

mr_antares

I've always used SPD pedals, and have had no problems with them. I prefer the basic double sided M520s:

https://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont...-L.-type-.html

They work even in the dirt, and once installed, I never have to adjust them. There is a little float, but nothing like the Time or Speedplays have.

ch9862

Speedplay road pedals come with 4-screw cleats and 3-screw adapter - chances are you'd need different shoes than for SPD-compatible cleats (like eggbeaters). Little loss though, as they are not walkable. I have Zeroes on my road bike, and as Yan mentioned, they can be sensitive to dirt.

Frogs are very easy to clip in - perhaps with "forward step" rather then "forward kick" - I got it right away. I loved mine when cleats were new, but they wore out relatively quickly which led to surprise unclippings. Something to watch out for if you end up getting them. They work pretty well in bad weather conditions BTW.

I have Shimano A520s on my winter commuter (SS BTW), but am not convinced they are the bee's knees. When it's snowy / slushy, I often have to look down to clip in, because they don't rotate to their "normal" position reliably (they do when it's dry). There are times when I'd like to ride without clipping one foot in - mostly when I can see I'll have to stop shortly. A520s are not well suited for this - their "opposite side" is arched and very slick. I'd rather use dual-sided Shimano SPDs.

Since you know and like eggbeaters, I think they remain your best bet.

Others may know more though.

JeffS

The answer to every BF question is whatever the person replying owns. (and nine out of nine replies agree)

doorunrun

I've been using Shimano M520's on my commuter. To me they're better than road pedals for commuting; just easier to clip in and out. I tend to really clunk around in road shoes when I just walking in them.

While we're on the subject, does anyone have experience with VP Components pedals?
https://www.vpcomponents.com/pedals.asp?pcat2=2

I got a pair of regular clip road pedals with the purchase of a KHS road bike. The seem to be well constructed, but regular clips are not my thing. They have a pretty broad range, but I imagine they are considered just another other low price manufacturer.

YungBurke

Here here. I like these because theyre open and mud sheds out pretty easily. Even though I have them on road bikes, that comes in handy when I dismount to walk through a trail. Theyre also very easy to clip in and out of

JFlurett

I like my CB Candy's for what it's worth. Just thought I'd mention it since you liked the eggbeaters.

The frogs are a slide situation. I think after being used to exiting one way, it may take some time to learn a new. Additionally, when you may feel you are comfortable, you still may not be. Old habits die hard, and when put in a sticky situation you may not respond as you need to. Just spilling thoughts I would have in your situation.

jeremyb

Another vote for the CB Candy's. Have used them on cross bikes for a few years without issue.

cyccommute 

You should say they work even on the road since they are designed for working in the dirt

I have 5 pairs of them on my bikes and two on my wife's bike. Never had any trouble with them and one set is at least 10 years old. They are too good and too inexpensive to buy cheap knock-offs

noglider 

Do people find that SPD's are pretty good at not getting clogged by mud? I don't ride in much mud, but I do abuse my shoes by walking everywhere, and I think I've had to pick crap out only once. So I'm happy.

rumrunn6

I'm a fan of egg-beaters with a hack-sawed toe clip cuz then I can wear whatever I want on my feet from sandals to sneakers to walking shoes to snow boots.

btw; bikes aren't like wives, bikes come and go, wives are forever