Clipless Pedal (SPD)... Bebop vs. the rest.
#26
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
I was about to add my review of bebops, since I finally got some and got around to using them 

they're pretty good, just be sure you buy a can of dry ptfe/teflon lube so you can lube your cleats once a week.
you have to step in decently hard otherwise you might get only half the cleat in. It's dangerous to be clipped in half way only as you can accidentally pull out. You can tell if you're only half way in by rotating your foot. If it's smooth, then you are in, if you feel some resistance you are not.
that's about the only down side I could feel with them.
Otherwise I prefer these over crank brothers, speedplay frogs and shimano SPD.
IMO, best to worst for commuting purposes
Bebop
Shimano SPD, tie, crank brothers
speedplay frogs
here they are compared to crank brothers
Canadian Toonie pictured to illustrate size. Toonie is 28mm, or 1 1/8in" in diameter






they're pretty good, just be sure you buy a can of dry ptfe/teflon lube so you can lube your cleats once a week.
you have to step in decently hard otherwise you might get only half the cleat in. It's dangerous to be clipped in half way only as you can accidentally pull out. You can tell if you're only half way in by rotating your foot. If it's smooth, then you are in, if you feel some resistance you are not.
that's about the only down side I could feel with them.
Otherwise I prefer these over crank brothers, speedplay frogs and shimano SPD.
IMO, best to worst for commuting purposes
Bebop
Shimano SPD, tie, crank brothers
speedplay frogs
here they are compared to crank brothers
Canadian Toonie pictured to illustrate size. Toonie is 28mm, or 1 1/8in" in diameter




__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Last edited by AEO; 09-28-08 at 10:31 PM.
#27
beatz down lo|seatz up hi
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,062
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From: Missouri, USA
Bikes: A 2007 Trek 4300. 22.5", 1981 Trek 610 24" (61cm)
What shoes do you have there? how much are they? they look less like soccer star shoes and more like something you'd wear normally.
And I may have been sold on Time ATACs.
And I may have been sold on Time ATACs.
#28
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
that shoe is a specialized tahoe. I had to cut down the inner sole a bit to allow the pedal spindle to clear the shoe.
I'd try Time ATACs too, but I'm loving the bebops too much to play around with another clipless pedal
maybe when they wear out...
I'd try Time ATACs too, but I'm loving the bebops too much to play around with another clipless pedal

maybe when they wear out...
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#29
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 5
From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
yeah, I wouldn't worry about 'breaking' crank brother pedals, especially the C and SL models.
they're pretty good, but the only issue that you might get is 'clicking' because of the poor manufacturing tolerances on the cheaper models.
they're pretty good, but the only issue that you might get is 'clicking' because of the poor manufacturing tolerances on the cheaper models.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#30
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Sebring, Florida
Bikes: Trek Navigator, LeMond Buenos Aires, Madone 5.9, S-Works Roubaix
I'm using Nike MTB shoes with my Trek Navigator and I'm about to buy a road bike. Is there any reason I can't continue to use SPD s with my new bike? I have shimano 520's and I think I might like a little more float. Is there anyway I can use the same shoes and clips and get peddles with more float?
#31
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
yep, you can continue to use your spd pedals on a road bike, no problem with that.
The one major difference between road clipless and mtb clipless is that the road pedals offer a larger platform area so your feet don't get 'hot spots'.
bebops offer a nice, large cleat to pedal engagement platform and offer plenty of float.
next best thing would be crank brothers candy or smarty
The one major difference between road clipless and mtb clipless is that the road pedals offer a larger platform area so your feet don't get 'hot spots'.
bebops offer a nice, large cleat to pedal engagement platform and offer plenty of float.
next best thing would be crank brothers candy or smarty
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#33
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
they seem to hold up fine in dirt, but I haven't tested them out in mud, wet gravel and the likes yet.
I didn't want to put my foot down in a pool of muddy water, or mud last Saturday in the rain when I was already miserable and wet
I didn't want to put my foot down in a pool of muddy water, or mud last Saturday in the rain when I was already miserable and wet
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#34
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 960
Likes: 80
I once had SPD pedals on my mountainbike. They clogged with mud often, and then once on a frigid January day, the mud froze while I was clipped in. I came to a slow, controlled stop on a fire road, but I couldn't get unclipped.
This wouldn't have been too big of a problem, except that I was recovering from a knee dislocation. I happened to fall on that knee when I couldn't get unclipped.
I gave my SPDs away and switched to Eggbeaters. I've never had a problem with mud clogging since. I've got 8000+ miles on Eggbeaters and I've never once had a problem with them (I've had to regrease them once or twice). They work as they should every time. In my experience, they define reliability.
This wouldn't have been too big of a problem, except that I was recovering from a knee dislocation. I happened to fall on that knee when I couldn't get unclipped.
I gave my SPDs away and switched to Eggbeaters. I've never had a problem with mud clogging since. I've got 8000+ miles on Eggbeaters and I've never once had a problem with them (I've had to regrease them once or twice). They work as they should every time. In my experience, they define reliability.
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, WA
Bikes: Ellsworth 'Roots' Cyclocross Bike
I once had SPD pedals on my mountainbike. They clogged with mud often, and then once on a frigid January day, the mud froze while I was clipped in. I came to a slow, controlled stop on a fire road, but I couldn't get unclipped.
This wouldn't have been too big of a problem, except that I was recovering from a knee dislocation. I happened to fall on that knee when I couldn't get unclipped.
I gave my SPDs away and switched to Eggbeaters. I've never had a problem with mud clogging since. I've got 8000+ miles on Eggbeaters and I've never once had a problem with them (I've had to regrease them once or twice). They work as they should every time. In my experience, they define reliability.
This wouldn't have been too big of a problem, except that I was recovering from a knee dislocation. I happened to fall on that knee when I couldn't get unclipped.
I gave my SPDs away and switched to Eggbeaters. I've never had a problem with mud clogging since. I've got 8000+ miles on Eggbeaters and I've never once had a problem with them (I've had to regrease them once or twice). They work as they should every time. In my experience, they define reliability.
+1 for Eggbeaters. The Behops look interesting, but I'm not into having moving parts on my shoe, especially if you want to be able to run while wearing them. (Cyclocross and such.)
#36
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I was about to add my review of bebops, since I finally got some and got around to using them 

they're pretty good, just be sure you buy a can of dry ptfe/teflon lube so you can lube your cleats once a week.
you have to step in decently hard otherwise you might get only half the cleat in. It's dangerous to be clipped in half way only as you can accidentally pull out. You can tell if you're only half way in by rotating your foot. If it's smooth, then you are in, if you feel some resistance you are not.
that's about the only down side I could feel with them.
Otherwise I prefer these over crank brothers, speedplay frogs and shimano SPD.
IMO, best to worst for commuting purposes
Bebop
Shimano SPD, tie, crank brothers
speedplay frogs
here they are compared to crank brothers
Canadian Toonie pictured to illustrate size. Toonie is 28mm, or 1 1/8in" in diameter







they're pretty good, just be sure you buy a can of dry ptfe/teflon lube so you can lube your cleats once a week.
you have to step in decently hard otherwise you might get only half the cleat in. It's dangerous to be clipped in half way only as you can accidentally pull out. You can tell if you're only half way in by rotating your foot. If it's smooth, then you are in, if you feel some resistance you are not.
that's about the only down side I could feel with them.
Otherwise I prefer these over crank brothers, speedplay frogs and shimano SPD.
IMO, best to worst for commuting purposes
Bebop
Shimano SPD, tie, crank brothers
speedplay frogs
here they are compared to crank brothers
Canadian Toonie pictured to illustrate size. Toonie is 28mm, or 1 1/8in" in diameter





also, i'm between the Bebop, Atac, Candy.
care to elaborate why you find the bebop so much better, please?
I also use the bike for city commute, so i plan to walk around with the shoes. Did you take that into account? anyone else can trhow their opinions on walking with the different cleats?
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
This thread needs pics back!
also, i'm between the Bebop, Atac, Candy.
care to elaborate why you find the bebop so much better, please?
I also use the bike for city commute, so i plan to walk around with the shoes. Did you take that into account? anyone else can trhow their opinions on walking with the different cleats?
also, i'm between the Bebop, Atac, Candy.
care to elaborate why you find the bebop so much better, please?
I also use the bike for city commute, so i plan to walk around with the shoes. Did you take that into account? anyone else can trhow their opinions on walking with the different cleats?
Bebop cleats go around the pedal, are much longer, and hang out beyond where the shoe sole curves upward so they're not as walkable.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 11-12-11 at 10:14 PM.
#38
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianwi...n/photostream/
i got a pair of original bebops on ebay... $10 plus $11 for the rebuild kit.
now i have to decide if i waste $40 on the bebop cleats or buy a brand new candy with cleats for $39!
i may get both and experiment
i got a pair of original bebops on ebay... $10 plus $11 for the rebuild kit.
now i have to decide if i waste $40 on the bebop cleats or buy a brand new candy with cleats for $39!
i may get both and experiment
#39
I wish these comparisons listed the weight for the different pedals. It can't be any harder to find than the number of degrees of float ... and the whole list really isn't useful to me without it.
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