Crank Bros Egg Beaters

[PJLarge]

I bought a new road bike a few weeks ago (I bought a Wilier in the end) and bought the stainless egg beaters at the same time on the shop's recommendation. They're really light and look cool but I can't for the life of me get used to them so I've been out and bought some SPD's this afternoon instead. The clip in is fine, it gives a nice reassuring click to let you know you've engaged but the release is incredibly vague because of the way the pedals work - there's no disengagement click as there is with true SPD's and it's that I don't like. I can see they'd be great on a mountain bike though as there's virtually nothing to clog up. Does anyone else use these pedals or have had similar experiences? I think these will be off to ebay

[neil_bolton]

PJLarge said:

They're really light and look cool

Yup, theres yer problem right there.







Only two types of clipless pedals work properly (three if you include those odd Looks), the original and never bettered Shimano SPD, and the Time ATAC system.



Any others are just pale imitations.

[PJLarge]

Fair comment! Off to ebay they go then...

[CooperS]

neil_bolton said:

PJLarge said:

They're really light and look cool

Yup, theres yer problem right there.







Only two types of clipless pedals work properly (three if you include those odd Looks), the original and never bettered Shimano SPD, and the Time ATAC system.



Any others are just pale imitations.

I would recomend the Time ATAC pedals, nice and comfortable on a long stretch and feel sturdy when your hacking up a hill, i use them on my marin and road bike

[v8 jago]

Ive been using eggbeaters on my mountain bike for about a year, As they are easy to clip in but if my pedal hits the floor it releases my foot which if im about to go down a rough down hill of a jump it can be frightening. My mate samshed one of the 4 bars on his beaters.. I also find they need a lot of maintaining. I have been thinking of going back to spd`s. Ive got them on my racer and find them good for road riding.

[mat205125]

I've never used clips of any kind, and am comfortable using my trusty DMR V12's.



Is there really an appreciable benifit with using SPD's or similar?

[PJLarge]

I think there is as you can transfer more power through the bike. Clipless pedals allow you to use the upwards and downwards stroke of the pedals, you can really pull up on them if you need some extra power on an uphill. I couldn't go back to toeclips or worse still bare pedals!

[pdV6]

I run ATACs on both bikes (dodgy knees, you see) and love 'em.

Couldn't go back to flat pedals now - the last time I tried to ride flats I kept pulling my feet off the pedals as I've gotten so used to using both legs for power all the time (rather than alternately).

[neil_bolton]

mat205125 said:

I've never used clips of any kind, and am comfortable using my trusty DMR V12's.

Is there really an appreciable benifit with using SPD's or similar?

Perhaps not if you are 'freerider' not concerned with quickly ascending hills - however I couldn't live without mine - I raced XC for years, and to not have them would have been ludicrous.

They allow massive efficiency when climbing as you can properly pull as well as push on the pedal stroke. Add to that the fact that whilst you may slightly lose on tighter corners when you need to dab - you very quickly catch up with a quick yank on the pedals.

Its suits my riding style - I push big gears everywhere, and even on the hills I'll change into a bigger gear and yank on the pedals knowing that I both accelerate but also 'flatten' out the bumps by pushing a big gear. It was a technique used by Tomac in DH racing when suspension was but a flex stem

Put simply, those who poo poo spd's haven't properly ridden them and gained the benefit - however I appreciate why people ride flat pedals.

I don't think I'd ride any quicker DH on flats - many DHers, BMXers and 4crossers use SPDs as they get massive power benefits - besides the gate snaps they can do.

SPDs are very much a marmite thing I believe, however I wouldn't do without mine. My No. 1 upgrade over anything.

[AbarthChris]

mat205125 said:

I've never used clips of any kind, and am comfortable using my trusty DMR V12's.

Is there really an appreciable benifit with using SPD's or similar?

ive got both, and up till about a year or so ago i always used to ride with flats because i felt more comfortable and couldnt seem to get used to spuds. I started to ride with clipless even though i hated it at first and now it feels like second nature...

the benefits are the obvious increase in efficiency, not only due to pulling as well as pushing but through using stiff soled shoes as well which you cant do with flat pedals. Also there's the stability on the rough stuff, i used to get kicked off the flats sometimes, and i can now pedal through rock gardens etc.

give them a try, but persevere for at least 15-20 rides before you dismiss them...

[option click]

AbarthChris said:

mat205125 said:

I've never used clips of any kind, and am comfortable using my trusty DMR V12's.

Is there really an appreciable benifit with using SPD's or similar?

ive got both, and up till about a year or so ago i always used to ride with flats because i felt more comfortable and couldnt seem to get used to spuds. I started to ride with clipless even though i hated it at first and now it feels like second nature...

the benefits are the obvious increase in efficiency, not only due to pulling as well as pushing but through using stiff soled shoes as well which you cant do with flat pedals. Also there's the stability on the rough stuff, i used to get kicked off the flats sometimes, and i can now pedal through rock gardens etc.

...plus the ability to pull *huge* bunny hops

I've ridden SPDs for years, and find it very awkward riding a bike without them now.

[JPJ]

I'm definitely in the SPD's clan, as the difference it makes for XC and general riding is unbelievable. I can see that some DH'ers like to be free, but their racing is not about maximising their pedal output as they have added benefits such as gravity, and make up time on line choice and technique.

Back to the original post, I'm still slightly confused why they gave you Eggbeater's for a road bike, and yes, the problems you have stated are just the design features of Crank Bros pedals. I still use Shimano SPD's on my road bike, but my other (off road) bikes are all set up with Egg Beater's or Mallets.

How much do you want for those pedals anyway? ;-)

[MTY4000]

I like crank bros. I have them on my MTB and Road bike. I like the click in, my knees love them, they never clog and I have not had any maintenance issues (so far).

My only reservation is getting trapped in the MTB pedals (Candy SL) when I need to bale out at slow speeds. e.g. technical single track (boulders / rock steps etc) or technical climbs (v steep, rocky, loose switchbacks). This is a pain (literally) but on balance I'm happy (never tried SPDs though).

[PJLarge]

JPJ said:

Back to the original post, I'm still slightly confused why they gave you Eggbeater's for a road bike, and yes, the problems you have stated are just the design features of Crank Bros pedals. I still use Shimano SPD's on my road bike, but my other (off road) bikes are all set up with Egg Beater's or Mallets.

How much do you want for those pedals anyway? ;-)

I asked for a recommendation that was an SPD or SPD like system as I didn't want to go for a pure road shoe with an exposed cleat. I looked at the cheaper SPD pedals but they looked pretty bulky. I think they latched on to the bulk thing so pointed me in the direction of the Crank Bros offerings. I've bought the XTR SPD's instead and tried them last night, they're just what I was looking for.
I've put the egg beaters on ebay, but if you want to send me a mail offline I'm sure we can work something out.

[LRdriver II]

I have just changed all my bikes to the ATAC system.. fancied a change and Mag/Ti looks the biz. Its better in muddy conditions than SPD I find.

[Frik]

option click said:

...plus the ability to pull *huge* bunny hops

Pah! Poor technique

[wobert]

SPD = Stupid Pedal Device

I fitted a pair to my Clockwork, found them OK, but did fall off twice when they didn't release quickly enough.

Specced a pair on my new P7, and suffered the same indignity on my first ride out.

Both pairs have now been ditched for a pair of V8's, problem solved!

[v8 jago]

wobert said:

SPD = Stupid Pedal Device

I fitted a pair to my Clockwork, found them OK, but did fall off twice when they didn't release quickly enough.

Specced a pair on my new P7, and suffered the same indignity on my first ride out.

Both pairs have now been ditched for a pair of V8's, problem solved!

Lol, I have to laugh at the part where you say it never relised quickly enough,, I might of thought that you never twisted your foor far enough. I know what you mean though, I fell of loads when i was getting used to them when i had stopped. I have used them since early 90`s and now i dont have a problem. Only thing is that when i try flats i keep pulling my feet of the pedals when i try to jump. Ive been spoilt using clipins.

[AbarthChris]

v8 jago said:

wobert said:

SPD = Stupid Pedal Device

I fitted a pair to my Clockwork, found them OK, but did fall off twice when they didn't release quickly enough.

Specced a pair on my new P7, and suffered the same indignity on my first ride out.

Both pairs have now been ditched for a pair of V8's, problem solved!

Lol, I have to laugh at the part where you say it never relised quickly enough,, I might of thought that you never twisted your foor far enough. I know what you mean though, I fell of loads when i was getting used to them when i had stopped. I have used them since early 90`s and now i dont have a problem. Only thing is that when i try flats i keep pulling my feet of the pedals when i try to jump. Ive been spoilt using clipins.

Imagine this...

Busy main road heading into leyland, Preston. Offset junction, so you need to cross the main road, turn left slighly and then turn right into the opposite road. Im on my bike, first time out on spuds.

I cross the first lane and roll up to a car also waiting to turn right across the oncoming lane...

"oh sh*t! oh sh*t! aaarrrgh" bang, couldnt get my foot out and toppled over. right in the middle of a busy main road and in front of about 20 cars.

highly embarrassing and the reason why i thought SPD's were the spawn of the devil.

[wobert]

AbarthChris said:

v8 jago said:

wobert said:

SPD = Stupid Pedal Device

I fitted a pair to my Clockwork, found them OK, but did fall off twice when they didn't release quickly enough.

Specced a pair on my new P7, and suffered the same indignity on my first ride out.

Both pairs have now been ditched for a pair of V8's, problem solved!

Lol, I have to laugh at the part where you say it never relised quickly enough,, I might of thought that you never twisted your foor far enough. I know what you mean though, I fell of loads when i was getting used to them when i had stopped. I have used them since early 90`s and now i dont have a problem. Only thing is that when i try flats i keep pulling my feet of the pedals when i try to jump. Ive been spoilt using clipins.

Imagine this...

Busy main road heading into leyland, Preston. Offset junction, so you need to cross the main road, turn left slighly and then turn right into the opposite road. Im on my bike, first time out on spuds.

I cross the first lane and roll up to a car also waiting to turn right across the oncoming lane...

"oh sh*t! oh sh*t! aaarrrgh" bang, couldnt get my foot out and toppled over. right in the middle of a busy main road and in front of about 20 cars.

highly embarrassing and the reason why i thought SPD's were the spawn of the devil.

The first time they bit me was when I was at Llandegla with my 7yr old son. He had fallen off behind me, so I slowed to allow him time to pick himself up & catch back up.

I dropped a couple of gears to ready myself for the move onwards, at which point the chain decided to leap off the sprockets.

Cue, no forward motion, and no time to release the pedals, so I gitted my teath and fell sideways still attached to the bike. After making a hefty dent in the forest floor and a yell of pain as elbow hit ground, all I could hear was my son laughing out loud at his dad maing a tit of himself.

Fortunatley for me, there wasn't anyone else around to view my antics!

Edited by wobert on Friday 25th May 09:29