Eggbeaters in sand

[FastforaSlowGuy]

First CX race was today. The thing was a blast, but I lost a ton, and I mean a TON, of ground every lap when I couldn't clip in after running through a soft, deep sand pit. Cleats kept filling up with sand, and it took a helluva lot of banging to get them clear enough to clip back into my eggbeaters. Never had the problem trail riding, so it seems to be unique to sand. Is this a known issue, or is it maybe the shoes (super low-end Sidis). Should I shave back the lugs a bit? Other tricks I should learn, or is this just something I'll get faster at?

[thwart]

Another reason to get stronger and ride right through that sand pit…

[vqdriver]

i thought that was where the open design of the beaters excelled was in the muck

[FastforaSlowGuy]

I don't think it's a pedal issue. Cleat issue.

[Bruce K]

Pam (non-stick kitchen spray) sprayed just before you go to staging seems to work for some folks

BK

[atrexler]

Did you feel like you were hitting the cleat on the pedal properly, and that it should be engaging and wasn't? Or were you just having trouble clipping back in? I ask because I frequently, and waaaay more so when I first started racing cross, have trouble clipping in during cross races. Very high HR, bumpy track moving you and the bike around, impatience, etc can make clipping back in surprisingly hard (for me anyway). That is something that improves with practice.

I have eggbeaters as well and with sand and/or mud usually a few good stomps on the pedal will clear anything out. The outsole/lugs on my racing shoes thought is pretty wide, so there's a good bit of room on either side of the cleat, which I assume decreases buildup of gunk down there. If the lugs are close to your cleat you might consider some trimming, or get another shoe with more clearance around the cleat.

[bcroslin]

[gforce]

I second the idea of cleaning and lubricating the pedal surface before the race. I have been doing this and it helps with clipping in under all conditions.
Now if only the guy in front of me at the start line knew this yesterday

[zachateseveryth]

This doesn't sound like an eggbeater or crankbrothers problem so much as a shoe/cleat problem. I would suspect you'd have the same problem with Time, Look, Shimano, or any other pedal system.

Generally shoes will clear mud or wet sand with just a little bit of banging. Don't be afraid to try to stomp into your pedals on your remount.

Of course, being comfortable riding with one or both feet unclipped is a skill worth practicing. Most pedal systems are good enough that as long as your feet are in the right spot eventually you'll get clipped back in.

[Lewis Moon]

I'm riding the Candy 3s and like the platform they provide even when you're not clipped in. I've had the eggbeaters and found them to be a LOT less forgiving for flubbed clips. With the candys, I just pedal and by the second revolution I'm clipped without even trying. Like I said in another post, these things were revelations.

[thirdgenbird]

I found if you miss standard eggbeaters, you roll right off the front. I am back on spd and find them more forgiving.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by thwart

Another reason to get stronger and ride right through that sand pit…

Here in AZ, you gain a LOT of experience pedaling through arroyos. The trick is to sit way back in the saddle, spin really small gears, keep your front wheel up and not make any sudden turns.

[JStonebarger]

My partner and I spent an hour yesterday practicing riding through sand. Both on Eggbeaters and neither of us had a problem.

AFAIK, Eggbeaters are nearly impossible to clog.