Cycling through London this morning, one of the axles of my Sls just snapped. I'm sitting here at my desk, thinking of all the Eggbeater failures I've had over the years, and I think it's time to switch.
So I now have to buy six sets of pedals and swap all the cleats on my shoes, so it's not going to be cheap.
The default setting would appear to be Shimano, but I switched away from them about six years ago as they were a bit useless when faced with Chiltern mud. So what are they like now, and what should I be looking at for 'normal' riding.
All opinions and experiences* welcomed.
*to do with pedals, that is
ive been usuing time pedals. first the atac version and then the roc model and both have been great. dont clog with mud and lasted for ages
The new eggbeaters are theoretically better. Worth a shot?
I'm a Time convert too. So much better than SPD and bulletproof.
shimano, last ages and don't hit your wallet so hard, it's a recession, think with your cash
6 years and 6 sets of pedals and a number of cleats, that's terrible!!!!!
cant comment on alternatives as have been using shimano for the last 5 years and in that no failures.
also are the design of shimano a lot different from 6 years ago, more open for better mud shedding,
Pixel, in what way are they better? I've had just about every part fail (the wings, the bearings, and now an axle breakage), so unless there's been a general quality increase, I can't see that spending another chunk with the same company is the right idea.
My XTR SPD's are 7 years old IIRC. No worries at any point.
Another vote for Time here.
Used atacs for at least 10 years, never had a failure.
Buy a new pair of shoes, get some SPDs (new ones are much better mud shedders) and gradually move over from Eggs -> SPDs as the Eggs fail. Use the appropriately cleated shoes depending upon which bike you're going to ride that day.
Pies, you might just have the right solution.
[scurries off to Merlin]
I find that Shimanos do clog quite a bit and infact I have had a few falls due to not being able to release. They are the only SPDs I have tried tho so cant compare.
Likewise, I've only used Shimano and haven't had any problems. As you say though, they can clog in bad mud although I've always been able to get them to engage it just gets a more difficult.
The Time system has always looked like a good alternative to me. Reviews always mention the mud shedding ability of them and I like the fact they seem to offer a high degree of float.
Time atac for me - been using them since 1998
Been using Times for the last 5 years or so, since I switched to clipless. Never felt the need to try anything else. Bearings never seem to wear out. Great in the mud too.
The above is sound advice, I have a double omelette (2 sets of eggs) and read this with reluctant attention. I take it the warranty has passed? 6 pairs of pedals 😯 you have quite the habit!
I've been using eggbeaters for over 5 years and other than a bent axle from a crash I've never had any problems. OK they need regular maintenance but its not difficult.
On the subject of changing from eggbeaters back to shimano - I originally changed from shimano to eggbeaters as I was having trouble with my knee and thought the additional float could help - it did. Recently I built a hackbike using an old frame and various bits and bobs left hanging around the shed, including shimano spd's. IMO they are awful comparedto the eggs - you feel like you are clamped into the pedal and I could also feel my knee starting to ache again.
If you look at the time atac pedals the way the cleat engages looks very similar to the eggs so one would assume the float is pretty similar. Mate of mine has ben using them for years and swears by them.
This may be a dumb question, but have you spoken to Crank Brothers (or relevant importer) about this? Such a degree of failures happening to a seemingly very loyal customer might get their attention.
Otherwise, another vote for Time ATACs. I've been using them since 2002 and the main drawback issue is that I can't jump on my SPD-using mates' bikes to take them for a spin. I've had to replace two sets of bearings in all that time in the Aliums. Rocs have been maintenance free and faultless.
Tried one set - i found eggies to be just awful. I was severely underwhelmed. I use shimano and have done last 19 years- had some atacs - early ones - nice but cleats wore out rapidly and the plastic pedal and sidi shoe combination = squeak hell...
my 58 kg racing snake of a mate snapped his eggie axle - how he did that i just dont know....
paul
I have an unmaintained pair of crank bros candys that are a year old and another pair on order. Am I going to die?
Ade, I've spoken to them on sevral occasions before, sent pedals back to be reconditioned, and have had a good number of free services/rebuilds done at race events where they have a stand.
I ride quite a bit, and I'm 95kg, so the pedals get a hammering, but I've simply never had a pedal failure with any other make (I use flats on my DH bike), nor do I know of anyone who's had failures with Shimano.
It's true that maintenance on the Eggs will prolong the bearing life, but a snapped axle and the numerous wing breakages and failures I've had are not due to poor maintenance.
As I say, I've had enough. I've followed [b]allthepies[/b] advice and have ordered some Shimano XTR (the same price as the Eggbeater SLs I've just killed) together with some new shoes. As the other pedals die (probably take a year - some bikes get ridden more than others) I'll swap the Eggs for Shimano, assuming I get on OK with this set.
Ran, thanks for the offer, and your customer service is truly excellent; I just wish I didn't need so much of it.
The pedal which snapped today was one you rebuilt for me earlier this year, as it happens! I think the only original bit left was the axle, which has now decided that London traffic is waaay too much to handle.
Another Time ATAC user here. I still have 2 pairs of the original grey plastic bodied versions going strong after more years than I can remember (certainly well over 10). Never performed any maintenance on either pair. I suspect the eventual failure is going to be the rails wearing through...
I use Ward Industries titanium spindles now with their 250lb rider weight limit to avoid this happening again
.[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4407885343_9db6e09e60.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/8805115@N04/4407885343/ ]Broken pedals[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/8805115@N04/ ]Vegan Graham[/url], on Flickr
Can't fault 2pure's customer service though. It's just a shame so many people have to use it so often.
I'm a bit puzzled by the new version of the egg beaters.
The most common problems with the old ones are that the spindles snap, the outer bearings collapse, the wings wear out and the springs loose their tension.
As far as I can tell, the only significant change on the new ones is that the inner bush, the one bit that has got an acceptable service life, has been replaced with a needle roller bearing.
I use Shimano pedals. They seems to work well for me both cheap and expensive ones. I currently use a pair I've had for 15 years (and on many bikes) daily. Got some scrapes but they still work perfectly. Infact the longest serving piece of MTB equipment I've owned.
Time Roc Atacs for me or the basic Aliums. They just work. The more expensive Time's wear out a lot quickr in my experience.
I too have had the pedal slip off the axle three times on different pedals and ended up with a nice scar in my leg for my trouble. I binned them thereafter. One of those great ideas badly executed in my experience.
Cheers
Sanny
its gutting functionally egg beaters work so much better than spds
better in mud, more angles of entry,mallets are lower profile and easier to ride in non spd shoes than shimano equvalents, look much nicer!
but the bearing life is just more hassle than its worth
trouble is i have crank bros on all 3 bikes (candy, acid, mallet) and ill have to ditch teh lot!
Pixel, in what way are they better? I've had just about every part fail (the wings, the bearings, and now an axle breakage), so unless there's been a general quality increase, I can't see that spending another chunk with the same company is the right idea.
I've not looked in detail yet, but they now come with a new style spindle to produce pressure points, new bushings instead of bearings and a 5 year warranty.
Disclaimer - I've no experience of new or old Eggbeaters (I ride Candys and was planning on trying the new 'beaters), so I'm not trying to recommend or otherwise. Just food for thought!
I've got a six year old set of Mallets, used pretty much daily which have only required one service to keep them sweet. They're truly excellent, if a little heavy.
However, they replaced a set of Mallets which lasted less than a year before the bearings on the driveside pedal went for a dump and spilled their guts all over Epping Forest, leaving me to ride one footed.
I've also got an 18 month old set of Candys, which seem to be on the brink of death as they're audibly clicking each revolution. I can't get the nut off the end of the driveside axle either, so it looks like I can't service them. Suffice it is to say I'm not particularly impressed.
I seem to have had a mixture of good and bad experiences with Crank Bros kit, certainly not enough positives to keep me from checking out Shimano and/or Time alternatives in the near future.
Shimano FTW. Quite honestly never had a problem. Apart from the snapped axle on my XTRs in the summer, but every bike shop was amazed when I went in for spares, it apparently never happens so no-one had an axle in stock.
ade - Member
This may be a dumb question, but have you spoken to Crank Brothers (or relevant importer) about this? Such a degree of failures happening to a seemingly very loyal customer might get their attention.
If Crank Brothers aren't aware of the failure rate on the pedals then they must be pretty stupid or perhaps deaf to complaints, because this has been happening ever since the pedals were launched.
I've documented my complaints on here previously - similar to nickf's and I let CB know at the time, with no response from them - but what I'd be most concerned about is why it has taken so long for CB to rectify the problem*.
I've asked before, why wasn't there a general recall of pedals which were failing in a dangerous way? Why did they carry on selling dangerous goods for so long?
Ran (2pure) is always prompt in posting and asking people to get in touch about faulty pedals, but really that's not good enough - the pedals shouldn't fail with such depressing regularity.
(*Have CB rectified the problem? All I've seen are a few mag reports saying that the new pedals should have more longevity than the last ones. They could be made of strawberry jelly and they'd have more longevity than the last ones tbh)
I use 540's in the Chilterns, they do clog with mud/snow - but its not such a problem.
Just make sure that whenever any 'movement' is felt, you re-grease them.
[i]you feel like you are clamped into the pedal [/i] I like that sensation, but I know it's not for everyone. Never really had a clogging issue with new SPDs* and I only ever buy 520s. and after 5 years, only now thinking about replacing them as the left is getting a bit loose...
* they do clog occasionally when it's hyper muddy but for 99% of the time they're fine
2 sets of time atacs going strong for 10 years+ Don't clog in mud and from experience our Test Valley mud is as thick as the chiltern slop
have had six years or eggy use, but i too am fed up with them breaking and wearing out (have SL's, Ti, Twin Ti, C, and MXR ones)
i go through cleats like they are cheese (new and old versions), and have had two sets fail on me on the trail (bearing simply disintegrated) and typically when out of warranty
they get regularly serviced and greased but now finding the springs are worn and there is piss all tension on them now - and i really don't like the random unclipping sensation when flying though the air
so i bought some M540's and slowly doing what 'allthepies' has mentioned above -the M540's are okay, but they don't feel as nice as a new set of SL's, they don't have the float, don't have the mud clearing properties, and are much heavier, but on the +ve side they are cheaper, adjustable and hopefully the cleats and bearings will last five times as long and no random unclipping moments
really want to try the eggy 3's - but not at £95 a go (new xtr's are £80)
If you want to sell the Ti's or 2Ti's let me know, or just the bodies actually!
I changed the bearings in mine the other day for the first time in 2 years, because I thought I should, they looked fine inside. I use the Ward Industries ti spindles too, nice and light, and seem plenty tough enough.
Time : I went through bearings every 6 months and the cleats are made from cheese.
CB : Dont like the feel of them in use, but do have a set in the spares box.
Shimano : m520, after a few months commuting on them I cant see the point of any other SPD type pedal! £20 a pair, so buy 1 pair, and then when the cleats wear out in 12 months, buy another, and slowly do your bikes that way.
[i]Ran (2pure) is always prompt in posting and asking people to get in touch about faulty pedals, but really that's not good enough[/i]
Hi, I am just trying to help here. Also, all warranty case notes are passed back to Crank Brothers so they can look at trends in failures and work on improving them. If these things don't come back to us - and Crank Brothers - then it's harder to progress things.
If anyone has an issue they just need to get in touch and we can help out.
ran@2pure
Well it rather appears they have taken the comments on board, as there's now a totally redesigned pedal! I suppose it's reasonable that some have lost faith, and it has taken quite a while, but the new ones look really good.
Having tried some SPDs a year back, I was struck by just how solidly clipped in I felt compared to the "I know I'm clipped in but it doesn't feel like it" Eggbeaters.
I genuinely love my Eggs, and I'm gutted that a company which can come up with a decent design can't manufacture it properly. But I'm simply not prepared to reward them (by continuing to buy their products) for crappy product durability. Given that they're designed as a mountain bike pedal, one of whose prime advantages is that they're great in mud, the fact that they seem incapable of surviving said mud is somewhat ironic.
I have them on all my bikes, I love them. I change the bearings regularly though. I accept the extra maintenance as the price I pay for light pedals that are easy to clip into, don't mess with my knees, clear mud easily and look great.
Didn't Look make some of the same licensed design but with proper bearings?
I use SPD's, but I've had loads of problems compared to my dad who's on Time. I'd prefer to switch to Time eventually. 🙂
Didn't Look make some of the same licensed design but with proper bearings?
Yes, and they are supposed to last a lot longer.
Wouldn't stop the axle snapping, though.
Andy
(Time ATAC XSs on all three bikes; no mechanical issues with the one pair of CB pedals I've tried but didn't use them long as I didn't like the 'feel')
you kept buying them for six years despite having had problems with them previously?
crazy....
ride with flats? flat is where it's at.
i use different pedals on different bikes, last year i cycled to Gibraltar from here with a set of CB eggbeaters cos they were the best fit with my sidi shoes after 5300 kms they were (and still are) going fine . i was advised to use something (anything ) else due to concerns about their longevity . however i took a service kit with me and never used it i will be switching to eggbeaters on most of my bikes the only one that won't get a set is my sunday road bike
bakes - Member
I have an unmaintained pair of crank bros candys that are a year old and another pair on order. Am I going to die?
Nope, I'm still using five year old mallets which have gone from bike to bike. I've carried out one service in that time, although there is now quite a bit of play creeping back in, also my cleats are shot. Can't decide whether to service them again or get something else...?
No issue with times here. Been using them ages and aside for the squeak they make until you lib the seal that are ace.
Been running time for about ten years with no catastrophic failures couple have died but still been usable. So recommended!
I've just switched back to shimano XTR after 5 years - I snapped the tip of an axle on a pair of quatros, had several bearing failures on candy pedals (despite regular rebuilds), and had play developing leading to clicking noises, and a bent titanium axle etc, etc. Most of my riding was commuting to work. For £80 you can get top of the range shimano spds, about the entry level for crank Brothers
i had enough of Eggbeaters and moved to Time Atacs the first pair were great 2 years and no problems. The next pair i bought were pants the metal bit that clips you in snapped after 4 months as it was hollow So £80 down the drain.I have switched back to good ole shitmano the £20 a pair version and they are standing up just great.