MTB pedals and suggestion(s)

[vav]

All right. About a year ago I bought my first MTB and pretty much that's all I have been riding since. I rode platform pedals from day one but I am about to man up and go clipless. I run eggbeaters on a CX bike but don't like'em much and would like a "bigger" pedal undernetah my feet.

What is a good pedal to unclip in panic situations and such? FWIW I am a very "Cautious"* rider and have zero shame walking up/down, not jumping from drops, etc

*I am pretty much a d*** when it comes to "real" MTB stuff and after gone flying over the bars a few times and not about to go Danny MacAskill and Co. :)

TIA
Vincent

[cp43]

If you like, and are used to the Eggbeater engagement and release, you can get pedals with a platform around the eggbeaters. The Candy (http://www.treefortbikes.com/home#navbar=pro___333222362679___88) for example.

Chris

[gasman]

XTR's
They're the bomb

[vav]

Thanks Chris but I am actually looking to get away from eggbeaters, candy, etc. Have tried both and not really a fan.

[AngryScientist]

i dont do much mtb, but in general, where pedals are concerned, i'm a shimano guy across the board. their spd pedals are excellent.

[William]

Hey Vincent, I've got a few pairs of Shimano M530's (I'll double check the model) you can try out if you like. Black or white so you can be color coordinated as well. ;)

http://www.rei.com/zoom/qq/dfd33b5e-32ba-4648-9c97-16ac15ebd8f1.jpg/440






William

[cp43]

Thanks Chris but I am actually looking to get away from eggbeaters, candy, etc. Have tried both and not really a fan.

In that case, I'd recommend Shimano SPD's with a platform, like these. (http://www.treefortbikes.com/home#navbar=pro___333222374646___88)

I have a set, and they've been great. Adjustable tension, so you can set them plenty loose so that you can unclip in a hurry. I've never felt stuck in my SPDs.

Chris

[vav]

I'll take you on that offer William. I might go to Big River tomorrow so maybe meet around?

@ Chris, yep something like that with adjustable tension. Thanks again

[donevwil]

Not to muddy any deals, but I'd strongly recommend the M785s (http://www.jensonusa.com/!UWwYQ5oJV1ragHXOcnBUEg!/Shimano-XT-PD-M785-Clipless-Pedals?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CO-ap4Hix70CFU5rfgodQGwA9Q)instead of the M530s which tend to (as with the M520s) have wonky bearings. I use the M785 on all my bikes including road.

[DRZRM]

I run egg beaters on all my cx and mtb bikes so they all work with my shoes, and I like them well enough. But given what you've said, I think the Shimano XT trail (785?) are excellent pedals. In fact, I've considered switching my "real" MTB over to these pedals, and just having a MTB dedicated shoe. The folks I know who ride them really love them.

Good price on them (http://www.jensonusa.com/!7AS176qGb068uWnc8fKFyQ!/Shimano-XT-PD-M785-Clipless-Pedals?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CIKko6Xix70CFYMcOgodQQEAKg)

[vav]

Are the M785s, M530s, etc double sided/entry?

[donevwil]

Are the M785s, M530s, etc double sided/entry?

Yes, and the platform works very well with both my Shimano and Sidi MTB shoes. I have heard that some MTB shoes don't follow the Shimano sole guidelines to a T, so clearance may vary. If you want single sided look into the A600s.

[crownjewelwl]

I went from xtr to speedplay frogs...I think they'd the easiest to get in and out of

[nighthawk]

I like Speedplay Frogs, too.

[gasman]

I went from xtr to speedplay frogs...I think they'd the easiest to get in and out of

Funny I went from Frogs to XTR's as I liked the adjustable tension

[donevwil]

I like Speedplay Frogs, too.

The Frogs were great for me with one exception, the cleat is not laterally adjustable and the impact on my Q-factor with Sidi Dominators was a no-go for my hips. More an issue with where Sidi places the cleat track, but new pedals were cheaper than new shoes. I initially ran M540s, which are fine, but the expanded platform of the M785s is a real leap forward on the stability front.

[Kirk Pacenti]

All right. About a year ago I bought my first MTB and pretty much that's all I have been riding since. I rode platform pedals from day one but I am about to man up and go clipless. I run eggbeaters on a CX bike but don't like'em much and would like a "bigger" pedal undernetah my feet.

What is a good pedal to unclip in panic situations and such? FWIW I am a very "Cautious"* rider and have zero shame walking up/down, not jumping from drops, etc

*I am pretty much a d*** when it comes to "real" MTB stuff and after gone flying over the bars a few times and not about to go Danny MacAskill and Co. :)

TIA
Vincent

Time ATAC pedals, period, the end.

[William]

I'll take you on that offer William. I might go to Big River tomorrow so maybe meet around?



Tomorrow could be hard, I have to teach classes and it's our son's birthday. If you still want to give them a try pm me and we'll work it out.






William

[dustyrider]

ATAC! Though I prefer flats 98% of the time.

[whatwolf]

time atac pedals, period, the end.

+ 100. I've had to yank my feet out countless times on trails and it's always worked. Also they are big and easy to ride on when you aren't clipped in for some reason or fail to do so fast enough upon remounting.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/11695020195_12c76b4b90_z.jpg

[jtakeda]

Time ATAC pedals, period, the end.

The end. Seriously Time ATAC.

I've broken at least 6 pairs of eggbeaters, I really dont like them.

[pdmtong]

Xtr or atac.

That's pretty much it.

[d_douglas]

Hey Vincent, I've got a few pairs of Shimano M530's (I'll double check the model) you can try out if you like. Black or white so you can be color coordinated as well. ;)

http://www.rei.com/zoom/qq/dfd33b5e-32ba-4648-9c97-16ac15ebd8f1.jpg/440






William



Yes, agreed. I switched from Time to Shimano (really just for the hell of it - I thought my Times were great) and bought two sets of these cheap platform SPDs + 1 pr of XT trail model. Both are great and very reliable but you can't beat te crazy low prices of the m530 model!

[jtakeda]

For reference I'm 5'7" and weigh 145 pounds and I broke all the eggbeaters. Not like I'm a giant or anything.

[pinkshogun]

after you switch to clipless i'll let you borrow my knee, elbow, and shin:no: pads...you'll need 'em

[1X10]

I agree with the thoughts echoed on Eggbeaters...In a 7 year period I probably overhauled many a set, 2-3X a year...Great design and simple but seemed to be a bit too much effort with upkeep...I also found the spring tension was just nil after a while??...Maybe 180lbs on a cross bike year round was too much for these..

I now have been running XTR 980's, even though it was difficult adding Shimano to Campy equipped bikes:):)

I love the XTR and also have a pair of the trails!!!

Side question...Does there tend to be a lot of upkeep with the XTR also??...I keep having to tear apart, repack, etc but 'play' in the peddle keeps returning??...:confused:

Sorry, not trying to highjack thread with a tech question:)

[DoubleButted]

VAV - If you go Shimano I suggest you pick up a set of the Multi Angle Cleats (http://www.jensonusa.com/!ZG9cdcm2rruGUzx1oqOcJA!/Shimano-SM-SH56-Multi-Release-SPD-Cleat) to use while you are getting used to clipless. I got a pair by mistake, but used them for winter trails riding and can get out of the pedals without even thinking about it. I have had great luck with any of the Shimano pedals from the m540 and up.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

XT. Half the price of XTR, 40 grams more, engage/feel identical to XTR (have both). Have some mounted, never ridden XT's, w/NIP cleats, $80, shipped. PM if interested.

[R3awak3n]

Another vote for spd, durable cheap, easy entry.

[vav]

VAV - If you go Shimano I suggest you pick up a set of the Multi Angle Cleats (http://www.jensonusa.com/!ZG9cdcm2rruGUzx1oqOcJA!/Shimano-SM-SH56-Multi-Release-SPD-Cleat) to use while you are getting used to clipless. I got a pair by mistake, but used them for winter trails riding and can get out of the pedals without even thinking about it. I have had great luck with any of the Shimano pedals from the m540 and up.

Thanks. About to order a set of those. And thanks everybody for chiming in :banana:

[christian]

I use XT Trails on the MTB and XT xc pedals on the CX bike. They do everything I could ask of a pedal. Engage nicely, clip out quickly, spin well, and appear to need no maintenance.

[lonoeightysix]

Time ATAC. Have not tried the very newest style, but the last generation, polygon style body style are very reliable. Looks like the new versions lost some weight.

[572cv]

tried shimano, eggbeater, got to ATAC and have been there since.