First Time Clipless: Eggbeaters?

[MalibuLX3]

I'm finally looking at going clipless, and after my first group ride the other week at Stoney, I noticed a lot of people have the Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedals. I really like the look of these pedals, so I did some research on them. I seems like they don't have a best reputation, as they maybe don't hold up very well. However, I see a lot of people with them. Is is just the lower model ones that don't hold up well? Are the 2 ones better? Do I need to go up to the 3?

I'm not a very hard or aggressive rider, so I don't need anything bulletproof, but I would like a good quality product.

[Will_Ott]

I've been using eggbeaters the past year, and I like them quite a bit because they are light, and I prefer more float. The wings are prone to getting damaged by rock strikes, but I haven't found that to be a problem in Michigan. One downside to their design is that rock strikes can cause the clip to release, which has happened to me. The cleats are brass which makes them engage/disengage really smoothly, but they don't last as long as other brands with steel cleats. The replacement "Premium" cleats ($22) last longer and offer more adjustment. When the cleat becomes worn out, it gets easier to disengage, and eventually they will start to disengage when you didn't want to. There is not much platform for your shoe, and they can cause discomfort if your shoes do not have a stiff sole. I had to fiddle with the cleat position a bit to get the best comfort.

The Eggbeater 2 and 3 have better bearings (vs bushings) and more stainless steel than the 1's. Function is the same, weight is slightly different.

I've put a few thousand miles on my Eggbeater 2's (including trail riding, racing, and long dirt road rides) and they are still going strong. They haven't broken, and the bearings/bushings still work well.

[utabintarbo]

DO NOT BUY THE EGGBEATER 1's! I've busted 2 pairs of 1's (or their predecessor, the SL). The 2's and 3's have been pretty reliable.

[jonw9]

I thought the bearings were on the 3s, and the 2s still had bushings.

[NotSoSuperlight]

I started out on Shimano SPDs. In 2001, I upgraded to the original style Time ATACs. I was comfortable with them right away. They are very intuitive to get in and out of, and they have a great amount of float. I have 3 pairs, and all of them are still running perfectly. I have tried a few other pedals and I always come back to Time ATACs. I would look at Aliums, ATAC XS, ROC ATAC, and NOS original Time ATACs (if you can find them).

I gave up on Eggbeaters a long time ago. Mine released on rock strikes. I just plain could not trust them. From my understanding, they have gotten better. The design of the Eggbeaters and the ATACs is quite similar.

[Laser4G63]

My first clipless pedals were Shimano SPDs. Ever since then, that is all I have ever used. I currently have been using the PD-M520s for the last 3 years. I got them for $20 on eBay. Plus, they are easy to maintain. You can literally beat the snot out of them and they keep working just fine. I have smashed them on rocks, trees, and other things and they still work as good as they did new. Don't look as good as new, but that is one bike part I don't think I will pay any more that $40 for just because it does get abused.

[c0nsumer]

I thought the bearings were on the 3s, and the 2s still had bushings.

Eggbeater 2s have an outboard bearing and inboard bushing. Eggbeater 3s have inboard needle bearings and outboard ball bearings. I'm not sure about the 1s. I think they have an outboard bearing and inboard bushing, but folded (instead of cast) cage design.

I personally like the 3s a lot.

[skieur]

Eggbeater 3s are have stronger wings. Go with those. I have been using CB pedals for years. I love the float since I have knee problems.

The older ones had issues with standing up to rock clips. But the 3s are they way to go.

[Mack]

Go with the Time ATAC XS in any version and they will be better then the try and copy
a great design and *beep* it up Cranks. Cranks are Time wannabes. Oh ya, if you
you buy those Crank Broushings make sure you buy the "premium cleats' also, which come
with every pair of Time's. The rebuild kits for Crank's are really easy to find, they sell
a ton of them from what the reviews say. Marketing is an awesome tool which they use to
the Nth degree. I do have a pair of 12 yr.old Time ATAC orginal design laying around if you
want to try them. Im pretty sure the Crank's won't last that long. Pedels really are a personal thing.
The little lady said I was in a "cranky" mood today I guess she was right. I woke up wanting waffles
and got pancakes, *beep* my whole day up .

[xycarp]

I love my crank brothers Candy II's. They are just like the eggbeaters but with a platform around them. Easy in and easy out! Great pedals!

[TenSpeed]

My first clipless pedals were Shimano SPDs. Ever since then, that is all I have ever used. I currently have been using the PD-M520s for the last 3 years. I got them for $20 on eBay. Plus, they are easy to maintain. You can literally beat the snot out of them and they keep working just fine. I have smashed them on rocks, trees, and other things and they still work as good as they did new. Don't look as good as new, but that is one bike part I don't think I will pay any more that $40 for just because it does get abused.

Same experience for me. I tried the Eggbeaters, and just didn't like the engagement compared to my M520's. I also like the option of the multi-release cleat, which I have never tried. That along with the adjustability of the cleat release on the pedal just makes sense for me. That and everyone I seem to ride with rides Shimano, so testing their bike in the parking lot, or swapping on the trail is easy.

[Steve_Balogh]

Go with the Time ATAC XS in any version and they will be better then the try and copy
a great design and it up Cranks. Cranks are Time wannabes. Oh ya, if you
you buy those Crank Broushings make sure you buy the "premium cleats' also, which come
with every pair of Time's. The rebuild kits for Crank's are really easy to find, they sell
a ton of them from what the reviews say. Marketing is an awesome tool which they use to
the Nth degree. I do have a pair of 12 yr.old Time ATAC orginal design laying around if you
want to try them. Im pretty sure the Crank's won't last that long. Pedels really are a personal thing.
The little lady said I was in a "cranky" mood today I guess she was right. I woke up wanting waffles
and got pancakes, my whole day up .

I've been a Time user for over 12 years as well. I have a pair of Zeros with platforms that have outlasted my original Time ATACs. I'm still using them on my new Fatbike. They've been submerged underwater many times, and I've never serviced them - not sure how to open up a pair of Zeros, ATACs have a circlip, my Zeros don't. I wore out my original pair of ATAC's, the bars wore down flat, and the holes the two pins that hold everything together were heavily smashed to the point I could not rebuild them - however the main axels and bearings were as good as new. And, the Zeros were the cheapest Times available that year. If one were to put the cheapest Times against the cheapest CB's, my money is on the Times as well.

[BigGear]

Shoes make a big difference too. If you get some really soft cheap shoes you'll be ok for light rides but if your going for longer sadle time.... Make sure you get some nice kiks!

As said above time makes great pedals. Some of the nicer ones you can adjust how much play you have clipped in. Something to think about.

Just my 2 cents

[b_b]

I've used shimano, beaters, look and they all work fine. I do prefer shimano engagement/release but they're what I started out on and most familiar.

[kaysee]

I love my crank brothers Candy II's. They are just like the eggbeaters but with a platform around them. Easy in and easy out! Great pedals!

I use the Mallets. Same deal as the egg beaters and candy II's. More platform though.