I changed to new Premium cleats and the problem was still there.

- i use several different Crank Bros. pedals: Candies, Eggbeaters (stainless steel), and Smarties...

- my shoe is the cheap Pricepoint Sette Rival:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/142...ival-Shoes.htm

- i have had absolutely zero problems, EXCEPT for a cover nut coming off a pair of Candies... i emailed Crank Bros., told 'em my problem, and within the same day a customer service rep replied... sent me a rebuild kit at no charge...

- i challenge other manufacturers to beat that kind of service!

I have had two friend break their eggbeaters in two one broke a tine and the other had one that wouldn't hold a cleat anymore

I can go comfortably for 80-100 miles non-stop with any crank brothers pedal with Sidi Mountain shoes (Bullet II), which have a fairly stiff sole. Any longer than that and I get numb feet. I now have some Quattros with Sidi road shoes (Genius 5) and that setup feels more stable, though I have not yet tested that combo on a long ride.

I definitely feel the same way. I bought the budget Egg
Beaters a few months ago, and it seems like they're about
ready to burst. I think I'm just going to take the plunge,
and go all SPD-R, since that's what I have on my road and
track bikes.

I've heard about that, but usually only with the budget eggbeaters. I haven't heard about any problems with the SL eggbeaters which are the ones i recommend.

I have seen two broken pairs of sls one cromo and on ti
the cromo ones would be the strongest you would think next to the sl however the breakbeaters just aren't a great pedal for daily use

I think it depends on how you ride, if you're skidding all the time, I can see how eggbeaters might be a bad idea.