recommendation on pedals for XC mtn bike

I use SPD's in a shimano shoe but was wondering if there's something better

1- more effecient

2- easier to get out of/into in quick reaction situations.

Thanks!

1. IMO all clipless have the same level of efficiency

2. Try multi-release cleats. I use them with my SPD 540s. You have five disengage directions. I have had many a panic stop and me feet popped out with no problem and I have never had them unclip at unwanted times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

I use SPD's in a shimano shoe but was wondering if there's something better

 

1- more effecient

2- easier to get out of/into in quick reaction situations.

 

Thanks!
 

cranks bros = lighter, better mud clearing but harder to get out of and less durable.

time = same weight , maybe easier to get in and out of, less durable

Shimano = most durable, easier to get in and out of(IMO) and most common.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA 

 

 

cranks bros = lighter, better mud clearing but harder to get out of and less durable.

time = same weight , maybe easier to get in and out of, less durable

Shimano = most durable, easier to get in and out of(IMO) and most common.

I have tried all of these setups and agree with BPA's assesment.  When it comes to that situation (which is always does) where you have to get out of your pedal or go down, Shimano's are definitely a split second faster than the others.  They also have the multi-directional release cleat option, which the others don't offer.

FWIW, I prefer to run the standard Shimano cleat with a loose spring setting, rather than the multi-release, which I found I would come out of at inappropriate times.

 

i will look into the multi angle release bindings, any links? I also have them set very low.

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='0763-04'  these look a little better than I have now.

Unless things have changed, when you buy Shimano pedals then come with the regular cleats in the box, so you have to spend more money to get the multi-release ones.  If you are purchasing new pedals through a bike store you might be able to get them to swap the cleats at no cost and save some $$.

I've never felt the need for the multi-release cleats on Shimanos. Then again, I haven't ridden Shimanos in a while. I owned 737s and then 747s and DX 636s. I have 3 pairs of Time pedals, a pair of ATAC Carbons that I got in 1995 or 96 (they were from the first shipment, so there aren't any older ones), a pair of the newer style flatspring ATACS that I bought in 2001 or so and a pair of Z pedals on my DH bike. I really don't think durability is a concern on Times at all.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't buy Crank Bros. Time or Shimano.

thanks so much guys! I called my local bike shop, they are really geared more towards roadies but they suggested in getting rid of the stock Bontrager stuff from the Trek fuel and just going with a Shimano 520, they also said I should have much less issues. I will put a new cleat in but not a multi until I see how these go.

Thoughts?

 http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_198072_-1_200292_200277_200426

Not the best price, but this is the cleat I use on my SPD 540

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

i will look into the multi angle release bindings, any links? I also have them set very low.

 

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='0763-04'  these look a little better than I have now.

Edited by Finndog - 6/12/2009 at 03:46 pm GMT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

the stock Bontrager stuff , 

There is your problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

thanks so much guys! I called my local bike shop, they are really geared more towards roadies but they suggested in getting rid of the stock Bontrager stuff from the Trek fuel and just going with a Shimano 520, they also said I should have much less issues. I will put a new cleat in but not a multi until I see how these go.

 

Thoughts?

Be advised that the stock pedals usually come with the spring tension set in the middle of the range. I suggest using the stock cleats, backing the pedals springs almost all the down, and going for ride with a wrench in your pocket so you can stop and adjust them to your desired feel.  Note, the adjustment spring on Shimanos uses a very small allen wrench that is not usually on a multi-wrench tool.

This brings up another point. It appears you ended up with your current pedals because they were speced on the bike by the manufacture, although most high end bikes come with everything but pedals.  When buying a bike do your homework. It is usually easy to get the store to swap out parts (seat, stem, pedals, shifters, brakes, you name it) when you buy it for no cost execpt part price difference, but once you start riding it you will have to buy different parts and be stuck with the old ones if you want to switch.

 

that was my thought too!  :) IS the 520 that much different than the 540? I go the 520 for $50.00 the 540 seemed the same but a little lighter but 90

Thanks and a good advice! I will do that. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudfoot 

 

Be advised that the stock pedals usually come with the spring tension set in the middle of the range. I suggest using the stock cleats, backing the pedals springs almost all the down, and going for ride with a wrench in your pocket so you can stop and adjust them to your desired feel.  Note, the adjustment spring on Shimanos uses a very small allen wrench that is not usually on a multi-wrench tool.

 

Not to insult your intelligence, but don't forget that there are separate springs on each side of the pedal, so you need to adjust each one twice. It is not uncommon to find people with the two sides of the same pedal adjusted with differenct spring release tensions.

no, insult away!  Much appreciated, I don't think my current ones have duel adjustments  Much thanks, that could have had disaster written all over it! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

that was my thought too!  :) IS the 520 that much different than the 540? I go the 520 for $50.00 the 540 seemed the same but a little lighter but 90

Not that the 520 is a bad pedal but the 540 is a better pedal. Lighter. better bearings.

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M540.-type-pd_mountain.html

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M520-S.-type-pd_mountain.html

Also it is on sale at Jensonuse for $60. Click "market" for sale price

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/PE703A08-Shimano+Pd-M540+Pedal.aspx

Better axle too. In the end, it'll probably last longer than the 520.

I'm planning on a new set of Times. Considering how long they last me, I think I'm going to go all-out and buy the Ti axle jobs. Over 10 years, it comes out to not that much $$. So with that said, you might want to get the XT pedals or something. You can take them to your next bike and the one after that, and the one after that....

the 540 does look better, unfortunately, I'm very loyal to this bike shop, small shop, passionate roadies and help me out each Christmas when we do a toy drive,they sell me bikes at cost for the kids. I hear what you are saying and agree but I'll just take the 20's. I appreciate all the help and advice, I can ask but I don't think they can match that price and they have the 20's in stock. Is this a bad decision?

Do any of you have Look Moab bits? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

 Is this a bad decision?

No. It's $40, no need to obsess about it. If you want better ones later, but better ones later and these will be backups or hand-me-downs to another bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by epic 

 

No. It's $40, no need to obsess about it. If you want better ones later, but better ones later and these will be backups or hand-me-downs to another bike.

So true! Thanks again guys. I am sure these will be a huge up from my ol' POS's
 

got the 520's. What a huge difference! SO much easier to get out of and back in very easily. I put a new cleat on my shoes. I moved it back slightly and really saw an improvement.

THANKS BEARS!!

Studded platform pedals.  Used various spd's for years. Don't miss'em a bit. Love my shimano platforms with Vans hi-tops. Super grippy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizcorpl 

Studded platform pedals.  Used various spd's for years. Don't miss'em a bit. Love my shimano platforms with Vans hi-tops. Super grippy.

well there is absolutey no benefit to average mountain biker to use platform, except for some those who for some reason cant get out of SPDS(did you use shimano?) even the fastest DH guys run clipless.

plus he didnt asked if he should get platform/or clipless he asked what clipless pedal he should get. He already choose. Its right above your post. You just wanted to troll(successfully) and post about how you can ride platform pedals. Good for you! I bet you would be able to go faster though anything on clipless pedals.

I am a pretty sucky mountain biker. But I've had good luck with Time Atac/Z. FWIW, pretty much the whole family is using them. First, the cleats are super low profile - totally recessed relative to the cleats, which I just plain like. Second, there's nothing to fool with or adjust on the pedals. Couple of springs...no muss no fuss. Third, mud is a non-issue. The mechanism is just braindead simple & it just works.  

At least for vanilla XC, I've seen no durability issues with the Times. A few pairs on the family bikes are close to a decade old, with a reasonable amount of use for basic gravel/dirt road, double track and easy single track riding. 

I'd assume the similar Crank Brothers are fine as well. 

Maybe it is a geographic thing, but I've not noticed any excess love for SPDs in my neck of the woods. No particular hate either....

Time Atac and Crank Bros. definitely work better in the mud.  When dirty they still release well, but even at their best they do not release as quickly and easily as relatively clean Shimanos.  SPDs need to be kept clean, although the newer high end ones shed mud better than the older models.  If you do much technical riding where quick pedal release can mean the difference between a routine stop and the hospital, I'll take the SPDs.  I've tried all three kinds and I wouldn't trust my healthy body to anything but SPDs when riding sketchy stuff.  Around here there are many mountain tails that are viturally on the sides of cliffs. If you lose it and can't get out of your pedals quickly the money you saved on the cheaper ones will not matter much.

such a night and day difference between the POS bontragers and the 520's. I can see where the 540's are a little better but for me and what I am riding, they are fine. I doubt the 520's are any heavier than the stock bontragers and its a light bike to start. Can't thank you guys enough. It's always a good thing when pending 50 can bring such value.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

got the 520's. What a huge difference! SO much easier to get out of and back in very easily. I put a new cleat on my shoes. I moved it back slightly and really saw an improvement.

 

THANKS BEARS!!

Finn, do they make you go faster? :)

I have a pair of the platform SPD's (I forget the name of them), I will swap them on my bike if I head up to Vt to do any serious downhilling.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

 

Finn, do they make you go faster? :)

Yes, I jumped a full 5 mph...... OK, not any faster  :)  but using Phil's tip on improving the bottom of my pedal stroke definitely did increase my speed a bit.