veganeric

First off, thanks for all the replies!

That's what I went with. I talked to severl guys at my LBS. The one that rides fixed the most likes Look, and had a bunch of reasons why they're better than eggbeaters or time, which they also sell. I rode them home from the shop then went for a grocery run. I haven't gotten in the habit of using my brake yet (winter bike has one, summer bike doesn't) so I did a few little skids and skips with them and everything felt solid. Clipping in is way different than my Look road pedals though! I felt like a noob trying to clip in while rolling.

Here's the new setup...

Yaktizzle417

I run the same set of Shimano pedals I've had for who knows how long. Clipped on one side, platform on the other. Paired with some cheap PI shoes. I've used my friends track pedals with cages and I'm not really a fan. I feel like I have more control with my clips. Plus when I'm doing most of my riding, I'm not worried about doing tricks.

But if it strikes me to do some, I can just unclip and flip it over and I'm good to go. Best of both worlds IMO.

Jabba Degrassi

Care to share?

kassebaum

@ all

pics or gtfo

veganeric

They're quite a bit lighter than Time. Honestly, I don't care about this but one of the shop guys was weighing them. There are some other reasons one of the guys I talked to a couple weeks ago didn't like time but I can't remember them now. He seemed to like look, egg beaters and the newer spd pedals better, and since I trust him I just wrote off Time.

As far as the look vs. crank bros. goes... It's kind of hard to explain without having both pedals in front of you. If you look at the engagement between the pedal and cleat the look pedal is much more positive. The bottom of the wires that engage with the cleat on the eggbeaters are angled so it is possible to pull out of them if you pull up hard enough, like while skidding or grinding up a hill. The engagement on the look is parallel to the sole of your shoe so this doesn't happen. If you pull up on the cleat is doesn't want to open the pedal. (See my crappy paint drawing.) Look also sends their pedals with a bunch of shims so you can adjust where your shoe hits the pedal body. That way when you're mashing there isn't any slop between your shoe and pedal.

solbrothers

Jabba Degrassi

That actually helps quit a bit. I'll check out the engagement on my MXRs when I get home to see if I can see what you're talking about. I can see how that type of engagement might be less than ideal.

VDB_fan

when i was messengering and spending all day on my bike, i like time atacs. looks like there's been lots of improvements to their design, and the cost is real low.. you never really unintentionally release from them, at least in my experience.

ive tried lots of shoes, dominators (comfy uppers, nice looks n fit, but the soles wear out with lots of walking, and the toe box isnt that tough), carnacs ( nice toe box, pretty nice fit), and finally some yellow and red mtb shoe i got when i raced for a specialized cross team back in 02. it had a strong toe box and overall reinforcement.

now that i just use it as my transportation, and alley cats, i like christophe toe clips, pake straps, and mks gr-9s (best ever!!). i like regular tennis shoes, like the new vans era fixed gear shoes.. w the cordura toe reinforcements and 3m panels. it's just more casual, and i don't need to "suit up" to roll around town and kick it.

i used to do my preseason training.. long slow miles and recovery days on an old pinarello road frame, with a 42x18.. it helped me w my base training.. i used the same pedals i raced road races with.. dura ace spd-rs. not good for tricks or casual riding, but these were 30-50 mile rides.

when on the track, i now am trying out speedplay stainless pedals. haven't come out of them in a sprint yet.. but it's still winter.

redspoke

Thanks for the info bro... Just scored a pair.

Hagisan

I have never had clip-ins and wanted to try some out and compare them to having straps/cages.

If I go with a set of CB Smarties (only $30 perfect for testing), what entry level shoe SPD compatible shoes are out there that are the closest to wearing a regular tennis shoe? (ie i do not want to walk like a duck)

Thank you.

TR909

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...x?ModelID=7610

Shimano MP66's. Recessed cleat cover and all...

james_swift

Tried Egg Beaters and ATACs. Switched to BeBops because:

20 deg of non re-centering float
- Because ATACs tendency is to push the angle of the foot back to its designated neutral position, I ended up with very sore knees after rides lasting longer than 1 hr. The re-centering action on Egg Beaters is much less pronounced, but still noticeable.

Wide contact area
- On long rides, Egg Beaters feel like you're pedaling on walnuts. ATACs creek and wiggle about when pulling up in the pedal stroke.

Step-on engagement
- Stomp straight down on the pedal and you're in. No funny business of hunting for the retaining spring on the pedal.

Unclip and hold
- If I think I need to put a foot down, I can twist out and disengage while still having the cleat hold within the pedal. If i want back in, I merely press down on the pedal and the cleat re-engages. Good for those dicey moments at an intersection. Other pedals instantly jettison your foot once you disengage.

210gm /pair
needle and ball cartridge bearings
https://www.beboppedals.com/