Thinking about different pedals
 

I have a Giant XTC-0 that came with M505 clipless pedals. I never really got into serious off road with it but there is a trail near where I moved that is too rough for a road bike so I'm getting this bike setup for some rides. I have difficulties with the pedals that came with this bike. My road pedals (105s) I can get into in a second, The M505s take a lot of time and effort to get into, which seems counter intuitive for mountain bike pedals. I would think something that could get into real fast and easy like the road pedals would be more appropriate. I don't know weather the M505s are just crappy pedals or the design itself isn't very good. I'd like some suggestions on what to look into.

Thanks

Before you give up on the Shimano pedals, have you tried relaxing the set screw that sets the tension (how firmly the cleat is held in place). I still use that design, but I backed off the tension setting so that my cleats come right out with just a little effort. I can't recall one time the cleats slipped out while I was riding and I have zero problems unclipping quickly and easily. If you decide to relax the setting, be sure to back off on both sides of the pedal. Relaxing one set screw will only relax one side of the pedal. Hope this helps.

Love my Time pedals and have for 10+ years.

Time ATAC MX 2 pedals
 

But then again I get a little nuts out there In the switchbacks and the drops.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=408609http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=408608

Easy clip in and out, they never clog up, these things just work, no adjustments at all, you just ride.

But they don't look expensive so most won't consider them. I tend to go my own way :P

roccobike, Thanks for the input but my issue isn't getting out of the pedals - it's getting into them in the first place. I've been using 105 pedals on my road bike for a little over 20 years. I think back then they were manufacured by Look for Shimano. I just replaced them last year and they look a little different but work the same, even the old cleats work. These pedals are ass end heavy and align themselves no matter the crank position so getting into them is as easy as dragging my foot across the top of them until I feel engagement on the front part of the cleat and push down. Takes longer to read it then it does to do. The M505s on the mountain bike are double sided as you mention so they just spin around with the crank. trying to get into them usually involves a bunch of riding in circles kicking the pedal to get it level then trying to get my cleat into it without spinning it out of position. Doing it on flat asphalt is hard enough, I can't imagine doing it on the trail. I will say though that I don't have a lot of time with them so maybe there is a learning curve with them. I was just hoping for something that I can mash my foot on in a hurry and it clips in.

I certainly don't mind spending money to a point. If an extra $50 gets me a much better working pedal then that's OK, if that extra $50 is getting me the same pedal mechanically only a few grams lighter due to exotic materials then I'm not up for that. I'll look into the Times as there's already two votes for them but I've seen these ones by Crank Bros that look like an egg beater. On one hand it looks like they'd be able to just mash a cleat into them, on the other hand there is no extra meat around them to guide the cleat in so I wonder just how easy they really are to get everything aligned and get into.

[edit] BTW osco that is a sexy looking machine! [/edit]

Loosening the tension will make it easier to get in AND out. And while they don't flip to the same position all the time like road pedals, you'll get used to feeling how the pedal needs to flip and then getting one side up quickly...they're double-sided so that makes it easy enough.

Check out Speedplay frogs.

Just an update.... I've done some searching on the M505 pedals and it seems getting into (and out of) them is a common complaint, or partial engagements that I've had where they feel like they click in but kick my foot out after a few pedal strokes. I've never had the problem of getting out but have experienced the other issues. Also I read people who have upgraded to M520s and M540s notice a huge difference. I'm actually looking at the M780s now. Marginal price difference over the M540s and they will match the rest of the components, besides 60 something dollars for them seems pretty cheap. I haven't ruled out the Time pedals yet but there are a ton glowing reviews for the M780s and only a few of mediocre reviews for the Times. Not suggesting they don't work for the previous posters but I have to look at the odds that they will work for me.

I went with M540 after years on Speedplay Frogs and couldn't be happier.

The trick to SPD pedals is basically just step straight down. You don't need to try and hook the front just press straight down and you'll clip in. They're much easier than SPD-SL pedals.

Hi, I'm new to this forum, and would like to ask about Speedplay Frogs. I've had frogs since July and having no end of grief coming out of the right pedal with no warning. Almost ready to go back with my Zeros. Frogs were suggested by my podiatrist because I was having problems in the summer with "hot foot". Does anyone have any suggestions?