12 replies to this topic

[tony l.]

I am going to race cross this fall. what are your thoughts on top picks for pedals and shoes. Not an spd fan. I want something easy to get clipped in and not brake the bank....thanks for your imput

[cleeland]

I personally like Crank Bros. Candy, though some have had them literally fall apart.  They are relatively inexpensive as far as pedals go, and shed mud (not been a problem here in the last two years) and easy clip in.

Prior to the crank, the go-to pedal for 'cross was the Time ATAC, and many still love it.  They're more expensive in my experience.

As far as shoes go, depends on what your foot likes.  I use the mid-grade shimano MTB.  Anything with a full sole with toe spikes is good.  Make sure you can run a few steps comfortable in them, because you'll be doing that.

[tony l.]

cleeland, on 03 August 2012 - 02:32 PM, said:

I personally like Crank Bros. Candy, though some have had them literally fall apart.  They are relatively inexpensive as far as pedals go, and shed mud (not been a problem here in the last two years) and easy clip in.

Prior to the crank, the go-to pedal for 'cross was the Time ATAC, and many still love it.  They're more expensive in my experience.

As far as shoes go, depends on what your foot likes.  I use the mid-grade shimano MTB.  Anything with a full sole with toe spikes is good.  Make sure you can run a few steps comfortable in them, because you'll be doing that.

Thanks Chris!...ease of clip in is huge for me, one of my reasons I love my speedplay's......looking like a Felt F65X...team buy on bike for me....CIAO'

[scottpeipert]

cleeland, on 03 August 2012 - 02:32 PM, said:

I personally like Crank Bros. Candy, though some have had them literally fall apart.  They are relatively inexpensive as far as pedals go, and shed mud (not been a problem here in the last two years) and easy clip in.

Prior to the crank, the go-to pedal for 'cross was the Time ATAC, and many still love it.  They're more expensive in my experience.

As far as shoes go, depends on what your foot likes.  I use the mid-grade shimano MTB.  Anything with a full sole with toe spikes is good.  Make sure you can run a few steps comfortable in them, because you'll be doing that.

+1 I have always used crank bros pedals but have had some literally fall apart. Also, I just switched the Time pedals and find that they are also very easy to clip into. The times to me feel more solid and more predictable. There were time in my eggbeaters when I thought I was clipped in but was not.

i have a almost new set of eggbeaters I will sell you very cheap if interested.

[tony l.]

Will the egg beater cleat fit the beaters and the candys both????

Edited by tony l., 03 August 2012 - 05:53 PM.

[scottpeipert]

tony l., on 03 August 2012 - 05:52 PM, said:

Will the egg beater cleat fit the beaters and the candys both????

Yes. Eggbeaters and candies are the same platform. The candy just has the body around the pedal.

[rockhound]

Time

[millerclimb]

tony l., on 03 August 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

I am going to race cross this fall. what are your thoughts on top picks for pedals and shoes. Not an spd fan. I want something easy to get clipped in and not brake the bank....thanks for your imput

Bottom line- There simply isn't a 'best'.

In terms of cost to reliability ratio, then a pair of Sidi dominator and the working class Shimano PD-540 would probably garner the most points in terms of relatively low cost, mud shedding, and indestructibility.

I seem to break pedals like their going out of style and as such, have the following rank order(best to not as good): Shimano 2011/12 XTR>2012 XT>Shimano PD-540s>older Time ATACs. I've had terrible luck with crank brothers (so they don't even make the list). Caveat is that I ride a lot of gravel and MTBs. On the other hand, I also know people who ride a ton of gravel and love CB pedals that don't have as much bad luck with them.

The 540s are excellent at shedding mud. And the newer shimano pedals much better than the older versions. The ATACs are also fantastic in this respect and they certainly have many die-hard/loyal users who seem to never have problems.

So with all that said, I'd put a plug in for trying the newer shimano pedals, e.g. 2011 or 2012 XTR or 2012 XTs. I think they're the best. But if you're not game or simply don't like them, then try the Time's over CBs if you plan to ride 8-10hrs+ throughout the year. If you're just racing cross and doing 2-3 training rides throughout the week during CX season, then CBs are probably fine. But again, I'm biased because I break stuff like no other.

Shoes...I think it really depends how much you'll be riding and running/walking in them. Specialized shoes fit really well and have incredible design, but the BOA can be unreliable in my humble (and albeit, clumsy) experience. Shimano shoes are awesome, but the higher end stuff doesn't last that long. Sidi's are great if they fit your feet. The Mavic's are stiff as all hell and a lot of people love them....but running in a crazy stiff shoe can be difficult if the fit isn't perfect (I got a bunch of heel lift).

I've found a great balance of price, comfort in running, stiffness, weight, and general construction to be the Giro code or gauge. They're comfy, well made, run well, light, and aren't stupid expensive.

[sub-lt]

One more thing about shoes for cross:  I read somewhere, and found it to be absolutely true, that velcro straps loosen up in muddy sloppy conditions.  So for cross I'd make sure whatever shoes you pick have a ratcheting latch at the top to keep them secure.

I have to agree on the Crank Brothers pedals -- love the way they work (I run the eggbeaters for cross and the candies for mtb), but hate the fact that the springs and bearings seem weak and prone to unannounced breakage!

[rich pierce]

I never feel as locked in with crank brothers pedals as I do with Times.  I've pulled out of them a number of times and gotten knocked out of them other times on the MTB.  Their main advantages over Times are weight and price.  I don't have any recent experience with Shimano pedals.  I used them in the 90's when they were awful in mud, switched to Times then and did not go back, but I have friends who have great performance and zero durability issues with newer Shimanos.

[celeste55]

I have mavic fury shoes and love them, and the same road equivalent shoe. Best fit of anything I've ridden (shimano, specialized, DMT, nike)

I've ridden CB eggbeaters for the entirety of my cross racing.  I've more or less liked them. Overhauled them the last year I raced them, and will probably do that again this year unless I decide to spring for something new.  I have to agree with rich about them not feeling super locked in, but having ridden shimano spd's as well, I kind of feel like mtn pedals just suck in that department compared to road pedals.  If there was a mtn pedal that felt like a Look keo blade with the 16nm tension, I'd be on them in a second.

[tankrider]

I run Crank Brothers "Egg Beaters" for both MTB and Cross and have both a love/hate relationship with them.

Pros

• Very easy to clip in and out.
  
• Sheds mud easily
  
• Cleans up after a race easily

Cons

• There is no tension adjustment, so there is a feeling of never really being completely locked in
  
• Don't last near as long as I would like them to
  
• Expensive for breaking as often as they do

[Falasi4]

newer shimano spd - run them on mtb and cx - love the adjustable tension, crud shedding, and nearly indestructible even with mtb pedal strikes on rocks, etc...

shoes - ratchet strap on (unless you want to lose a shoe in a mud bog run - not seen in last several years but who knows what's coming for weather this fall...)
Personally my feet like Specialized shoes. Toe spikes seem to cause more tripping than they help - only help in the worst of conditions on steep runups which again, we have not seen in the last several seasons