noisebeam

I currently use Shimano M520 pedals with single release cleats at max tension. I find that after 300mi or so of clip/unclip wear the cleat is worn enough to allow accidental unclip (very often on skidding, sometime on hard accerlation).

An option I am considering are the Crank Bros. Candy C pedal (eggbeater with platform), I picked up the yellow ones on sale at Performance.

I have heard mixed reports from LBS people, some say eggbeaters are immune to clip wear unlike Shimano SPD. Others say that they are looser than Shimano.

I can't try them for 300-500mi to see if they wear to easy, because by then they will be too worn to return.

Any advice? All I want is clipless pedal than allows for a recessed cleat that holds well enough for fixed gear use.

Al

pmseattle

I've had the same experience with SPDs.

I switched over to eggbeaters two years ago, and I have never come unclipped accidentally while using them.

baxtefer

eggbeaters aren't "immune to cleat wear".
But IMHO they hold much better than SPDs. haven't unclipped yet, 1000 mi since switching over.

fixedfiend

If you're looking for tension adjustment, then get the Shimanos. The eggbeaters come with one tension and it might be too loose if you're used to Shimanos adjusted tightly. I say, just replace your cleats.

HereNT

I thought that the Crank Bros wore faster, since they're brass instead of steel. I haven't tried out Shimanos, so I don't know how they hold up...

SamHouston

Q: Which holds better Eggbeater or Shimano SPD?




A: Time

Man_Hating

Brass? Really? That seems like a very soft metal for a cleat.

Paul And Pista

I think the logic is something like "rather wear out the cleat than the pedal."

HereNT

That's what the fine print in the guides says, anyway.

delay

I have no problems unclipping with Candies. However, there is a bit of a problem with only being "kind of clipped in" I have noticed. You do have to be sure you are clipped in completely. I don't know how this works, but occasionally I get the cleat kind of wedged in but not clipped in completely.

Oh, and I love them, but I don't really skid that much due to knee problems.

noisebeam

Thanks for the inputs so far. Looks like a mixed message just like I got from different employees at the same LBS.

I do have the Shimanos at max tension and I do replace the cleat every 300mi because after 300mi they start to unclip when I don't want them to, like I said its not just skidding (which I do rarely) but also on hard acceleration, when pulling up it will sometimes pop out, I haven't crashed yet, but come close, which is unnerving when starting out hard at a green light with lots of traffic behind me. I want to put this unclipping issue to rest and not have to change cleats every 250mi or so. Yes time is an option too, but more costly.

Al

vomitron

I don't know if eggbeaters are immune to cleat wear, but they certainly hold up well.

I really liked the frog speedplays, because they were TOTALLY immune to wear. I've had my eggbeaters for not very long and there is a noticable difference in tension.

My speedplays on the other hand had excellent tension for the life of the pedal (longer than I've had the eggbeaters thus far). The only downsides are: 1) take some getting used to (LOTS of float, almost like riding on ice cubes), but are great once you do and 2) really expensive. I got mine used for $20, but I never replaced a missing screw and the pedal body exploded :[

Anyway, that's my two cents.

delay

You always get mixed messages on this board. Particularly when it comes to clippless pedals. It always seems like there is an eggbeater vs time crowd in here. The conclusion I came to is that both are good. I do have to make one more point on the eggbeaters, they are the easiest pedals I have ever had to get into and out of. I also like the fact that the float feels almost like gradual resistance until you unclip. So, instead of just floating freely like I do in my SPD SLs and then there is tension where I unclip, the candies seem to tighten linearly as you move your foot. I like this.

SadieKate

Eggbeaters have 2 tension settings depending on which way you install the cleats. All cleats wear. It's just a factor of the cost of riding.

noisebeam

Of course, no surprise.
This is a bit of a hard one for me cause its about money. I've spent $100 on two sets (two bikes) of Shimano SPD pedals, they work great for me in all aspects except unexpected clip out. So just I spent $100 two sets of Candy C pedals on sale, but won't know if they have wear problems until its too late to return them. Point is the only reason I am wanting to change pedals is the accidental unclip issue, any other benefits to a different pedal are just gravy.

I had a choice between Candy C (with the yellow platform) for $50 each or just the eggbeater itself for $60. Is the model with the platform a better choice?

Al

noisebeam

That brings up a real option for me I've considerd, to replace the cleats every 250-300 miles. That would be about 20 cleats a year at $10 a set for generic SPD ones, or about $200, instead of new pedals where I'd still probably have to replace cleats, if not as often.

Al

delay

I like the platform. It gives you more freedom if you happen to not clip in instantly. Which, regardless of how used to the system you are, happens from time to time.

I also got the yellow candies on the discount. It is resulted in a god awful yellow and black color scheme on my bike (I also got yellow tires on the cheap)

baxtefer

You're confusing tension with release angle.

eggs only have 1 tension setting. but 2 different release angles (15 + 20 degrees I think) depending on how you install the cleats.

Surferbruce

i've got over 1000 miles on a set of eggbeater cleats and they're fine. i have another new pair (of cleats) but have had no reason to put em on yet.

noisebeam

Does anyone have 800mi+ on one pair of Eggbeater cleats and have zero unclip issues including skids and hard acceleration?

Or a different question: After how many urban miles (meaning fairly frequent unclipping) do you eggbeater users replace cleats?

Al

baxtefer

me!
~1000 miles commuting since February. I have yet to unclip unexpectedly Though i don't skid much, I skip a bit going down steep hills.
If i remember correctly, crank Bros suggests replacing cleats every 3000 mi? but of course, YMMV.

redfooj

i haven't experienced wear to the point of needing replacement, but visually it looks as if the cleats are wearing very, very quickly

absntr

Having rode SPD's for two years and then switched around from SPD's to Time's (didn't like them - felt *too* clipped in with little to no float which felt bad for the knees) to regular eggbeaters (first time round I couldn't get used to them) then back to SPD's then back to eggbeaters and as of this weekend, to Eggbeater Candy's.

I love the Eggbeaters but found a few things a bit lacking - I found pedal transfer power was reduced somewhat - I found this particularly noticeable on the track. The Candy's seemed to be the best of what I wanted: the eggbeater technology with the platform. They are perfect - easier to clip out and clip in with than regulars and much more of a solid platform feeling. I do feel that the float is a little more reduced, which frankly works great since I wanted a little less float than the regular eggbeaters. I managed to score a great pair via ebay (from bikesdirect.com) for $62 for the SL's and in black no less (photos to come in the photos thread).

I have been itching to try Speedplay frogs for various reasons but their prohibitive cost and their larger cleat. I've heard mixed things about the cleats themselves, which makes trying them out even more undesirable.

Fugazi Dave

I love my eggbeaters. I've had my pedals for a year and am still on my original cleats, though granted I'm not currently riding much at all. Still, while the cleats are wearing, they are still functioning fine. The only accidental releases I've ever had have been when doing skids and absent-mindedly rotating my heels out in the process. Next time I need pedals I think I'm going to try the Candies, though, just to see how I like 'em.

noisebeam

I'd guess this would be a benefit of having a 15/20deg float (eggbeater/candy) instead of 4deg (Shimano)

Al