I never gave pedals a second though but consistent foot retention on a fixed gear is a bigger deal. Currently I'm on single-sided Look Deltas which are fine on longer rides but are kind of a pain when riding in the city.
My go-to double-sided was always the Shimano 520. Rode those for many years with zero issue. My current Shimano/Looks have 9 degrees of float which has been nice but figure I can adapt. Plus you can't beat the price/durability of 520's.

The Time MTB pedals seem to have a big following with fixed gear riders. I just need someone to school me up on these pedals.

-Do you have a favorite Time mtb pedal? (older version is fine). There is a lot of versions of the Time ATAC over the years where the 520 is pretty much the same pedal for the last 20 years.

-Any models that might be better for riding fixed gear? Yes, I do skid sometimes and don't want any surprises.

-Do Time pedals have any odd adjustment or clipping in/out quirks?

-I read something about Time pedals having this odd sideways play like it feels your foot is sliding off the side of the pedal? Is this BS?

-How much float do you get on older Time pedals? Can it be adjusted?

-Can they be rebuilt/serviced with regular tools?


Like I said, I have no problem buying an older version off craigslist/ebay if there was a specific version that's well liked.
Thanks a lot.

I just went on google image search trying to figure out different versions/years. Just need to find a page that lists the versions/updates with each new model range.


Now....If it was purely superficial pedal porn....I think these two models below look incredible. Anyone know the exact models and any comments if you had a set? The yellow/orange set just look awesome.


I could always just buy a cheap used set and try them out.....but knowing my luck, these two versions will be the two rare/sought after models that are expensive/collector items. hahaha


Anything like these be had for $20-30 used? I don't know the exact version so it's hard to search for the specs/used prices.



]

I've always used ATAC Aliums because I bought a set years ago and never needed to replace them. Nothing odd about clipping in or out, very easy to get into (basically just get the cleat over the pedal and step on it). Pretty sure float is 13/17 degrees depending on which way the cleats are mounted. I never needed to service mine, so I wouldn't know about that.

M520 user here and I won't go to anything else. If they are working for you, why switch? That cheap, and that durable.....I'm just saying.......

Thanks, I'll check out the Aliums. They can be had for a decent price too.
That float amount sounds like a winner. So do all older ATAC have that massive amount of float in both directions?


I agree. Just curious of other options. I really like the 8 degees on my Look Deltas (knees bad after military) and a little hesitant since 520's only offer 4 degrees if I'm not mistaken.

As far as I know all their MTB pedals have been using the same cleats for quite a while, so I'd assume they all have the same amount of float.

Oh and the lateral movement has never been a problem personally. It can feel a bit like you're sliding around on ice at first, but once you realize it's not going to result in coming unclipped, you stop caring.

There are are not very many kinds of clipless pedals I haven't used over the years but Time is one of them so I have no input to give about them and maybe should not even be commenting here...

But what the hell…I use single-sided roadie clipless pedals on my road-going bikes, including fixed, and I just do not get the constant refrain in this group that they are more difficult to live with than double-sided pedals or "are kind of a pain when riding in the city."

In fact my older Campag-branded Looks that are likely the same as the OP's pedals that he seems not to like much...have been my personal favorite pedals for years. Adjusted right they're easy to get in or out of and I've never accidentally pulled out; and they provide a nice stable spinning and climbing platform with the red 9 degree float cleats that I use. The only bad thing about them is that they are showing their age and I want to preserve them - so now I only use them for vintage-oriented rides and events.

Even their daily-ride replacement Mavic roadie pedals are no trouble whatsoever. It’s kinda like riding a fixed bike instead of a SS...just takes a bit of coordination and few seconds to get used to and you (or should I say I?) never really have to give it a second thought

I'd get the Aliums. My composite body Time pedals had problems with the spring retention pin coming out. Apparently this was a common issue for a time. No idea whether it has been resolved. I haven't been in the market for new pedals for years so have not kept up with the news. The Aliums are cheap and sturdy. Heavy, but not a big deal.

I totally agree with you on many of your points. I was in the same boat as you. Yeah, most likely we ran/run the same pedals...I have the Shimano DA 7401. It wasn't until recently that I saw the same pedal with a Campy logo. I agree in the sense they have awesome float with the red cleats, easy to get in and out of, lock you in securely, easy to rebuild/clean, etc..

The only time I despise them is riding in the city. It's ride one block, stop sign, unclip, reclip, ride one block, etc.. I can do it quickly most of the time but it's that 10-15% of the time when I'm trying to clip-in and find myself pushing into an upside down pedal. I run a 65/66 gear inches since I have tons of hills....so even at a 5-10mph, the pedals are really spinning and I'm trying to clip in with traffic around me. It doesn't help that the back side is smooth so if they are upside down, it's easy to slide your foot off the side in road shoes especially when leaving a green light on an uphill.

I'm sure that seemed a bit drama-queenish but it's just a pain in stop/go traffic with high cadence gearing. Double sided is just so much easier to do constant clip-in/outs under stress. Just wished the Shimano's had more float.

On regular casual riding days or longer rides on paved bike trails, the 7401's are a dream and couldn't be easier.

I do a lot of city riding myself but as a diligent practitioner of Idahoing...guess I don't have to unclip as often as you