Hi everybody, I could use some advice from those of you who have tried both SPD and ATAC or Speedplay pedals.
I have been using SPDs since I started mountain biking (about 4 months ago) and one thing I really like about them is I have never had any problem unclipping: I just push my foot into the ground aiming about 45 degrees down and out and the thing just magically comes off every time.
My question is, can I expect the same behavior from Time ATACs or Speedplay frogs? Or do those pedals require a more conscious twist-out-then-put-foot-down movement? I am looking at alternatives because the springy centering action of the SPDs is hurting my knees.
So in short if you moved from SPDs to Time or Speedplay, are you falling more often than you used to because of the clips?
No, Time pedals won't make you fall more often, unless your legs are physically unable to twist to a 13 degree release angle rather than a 10 degree release angle (as with Shimanos)... or if you have a mental block that makes those 3 extra degrees seem inescapable.
I am looking at alternatives because the springy centering action of the SPDs is hurting my knees.
It sounds to me like you are a prime candidate for having a cleat fitting done at your LBS. The $30 of having the cleats properly positioned will be money much better spent than the $100+ on another set of pedals whose cleats are also misaligned. check out: bikefitkit.comarticle2.htmlOpen ↗
"Franck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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Hi everybody, I could use some advice from those of you who have tried
both
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SPD and ATAC or Speedplay pedals.
I switched from ATAC to SPD after I the ATAC's became too loose and too easy to come out of. So you should consider the ATAC's that are adjustable. People on here have favorably reviewed them.
"SDC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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... I switched from ATAC to SPD after I the ATAC's became too loose and too
easy
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to come out of. So you should consider the ATAC's that are adjustable. People on here have favorably reviewed them.
Interesting, how do I know if a given pair of used Atacs is adjustable? Can I find out based on what year they were bought? I don't mind easy to get out off, but I do mind having the cleat moving in the binding when pulling back at the bottom of the stroke - that's how loose I have to set my SPDs to avoid hurting my knee.
I doubt proper alignment is the problem as someone suggested. It tried several alignments but what is happening is that different angles feel right at different times in the ride - and when my SPDs aren't completely loose any deviation from the centered angle quickly causes pain in one of the big tendons at the back of the knee.
I would try speedplays if they weren't so expensive...
I doubt proper alignment is the problem as someone suggested. It tried several alignments but what is happening is that different angles feel
right
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at different times in the ride
I'd have to say that you never hit the proper alignment. you'd be amazed at the difference a millimeter makes. I used to have muscle cramping problems on one legg and then I had a fitting done, they positioned the cleats so that my left heel ponted out more than my right and the cleat on the right was further behind the ball of the foot. I've had zero problems since. and noticed an imediate increase in power output.
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- and when my SPDs aren't completely loose any deviation from the centered angle quickly causes pain in one of the
big
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tendons at the back of the knee.
pain in the back of the knees is often a sign of the seat being to low. ATACS _are_ usualy gentler on the knees but from your descriptions, I dont think the type of pedals is the cause of your problems as much as bike fit/setup. If I where you, I'd go to the LBS and talk to the fit guru about your problem.
I have been using SPDs since I started mountain biking (about 4 months ago) and one thing I really like about them is I have never had any problem unclipping:
Why switch? Don't go with the crowd go with what works for you.
"GregR" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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... If you like the SPDs, just get the 959's and be done with it.
G
What's different about them (I have the M-515), can you adjust tension without loosing the free float? They're just as expensive as the speedplay anyway...
"Bill Wheeler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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Franck said:
I have been using SPDs since I started mountain biking (about 4 months
ago)
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and one thing I really like about them is I have never had any problem unclipping:
Why switch? Don't go with the crowd go with what works for you.
I second that.
It's kinda expensive to try many kinds of pedals; but I wanted to find the best type for me. I tried everything I could afford (Onza, ATAC, SPD, Frogs, BeBop). Speedplay Frogs weren't bad; but the BeBop's were the best, with 22 degrees of float, instant cleat engagement and a huge, round cleat "pocket" that is impossible to miss. I ride SPD's sometimes; but they're much harder to "find the pocket" (when clipping in) than the BeBop's. I do like the SPD pedals that double as platform/flat pedals. Those are perfect for some types of riding.
Go with what works best for you, not what the crowd thinks (including me, of course).
"Bill Wheeler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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... Why switch? Don't go with the crowd go with what works for you.
Peace, Bill
Because the cleat is moving in the binding as I pull back on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. And if tighten the binding to fix that then my knee hurts. That being said I will keep experimenting with alignment / tension for a while. The SPDs (with multi-directional cleats) release exactly when I need them to and this is a feature I really don't want to loose...
The best pedals for me personally are the Crank Bros. Eggbeaters 'S' 2003. NOT the 2002 or previous Eggbeaters.
Obviously its a matter of personal feel, but for me, I'll never use another pedal again.
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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"Bill Wheeler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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Franck said:
I have been using SPDs since I started mountain biking (about 4 months
ago)
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
and one thing I really like about them is I have never had any problem unclipping:
Why switch? Don't go with the crowd go with what works for you.
I second that.
It's kinda expensive to try many kinds of pedals; but I wanted to find the best type for me. I tried everything I could afford (Onza, ATAC, SPD, Frogs, BeBop). Speedplay Frogs weren't bad; but the BeBop's were the best, with 22 degrees of float, instant cleat engagement and a huge, round cleat "pocket" that is impossible to miss. I ride SPD's sometimes; but they're much harder to "find the pocket" (when clipping in) than the BeBop's. I do like the SPD pedals that double as platform/flat pedals. Those are
perfect
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for some types of riding.
Go with what works best for you, not what the crowd thinks (including me,
