[Ian F]

I run Time ATAC pedals on my XC bikes. I have four sets of the things... I also use Nike Cairnes shoes - the only mtb shoe I've found that fits my foot - so I buy them cheap whenever I see them.

The problem: The steel hoops on the pedals wear grooves in the soles of the shoes, causing the pedals to feel loose and weakening the soles; I've broken two pair so far...

Has anyone else had this problem? Is there anyway to prevent it?

I'd like to avoid changing pedals on 4 bikes, but thinking of switching to Frogs...

 

[bomberz1qr20]

Originally posted by Ian F
I run Time ATAC pedals on my XC bikes. I have four sets of the things... I also use Nike Cairnes shoes - the only mtb shoe I've found that fits my foot - so I buy them cheap whenever I see them.

The problem: The steel hoops on the pedals wear grooves in the soles of the shoes, causing the pedals to feel loose and weakening the soles; I've broken two pair so far...

Has anyone else had this problem? Is there anyway to prevent it?

I'd like to avoid changing pedals on 4 bikes, but thinking of switching to Frogs...

What makes the Nikes fit so well? Is it the heel or the toebox?
I have narrow heels so Answer shoes always seem to keep my heels from pulling up.

Look into the new Crank Bro Egg Beaters. They're like a four sided time pedal, very sweet.

And I'd look into one of the stiffer soled shoes, maybe a pair of Carnacs, they're VERY durable and can be found cheap on sale fairly often. (at least when I've seen em). Seems like you just need a tougher shoe...

Hope this helps...

 

[edoz]

This is just my experience, but I've used Frogs on my road bike for a couple of years, and I've had them too clogged up to clip in twice. Once at a water stop on an organized century, where the water jug sat and dripped on the ground there was some mud that I stepped in and I had to dig the cleat out with a stick. Once at the local crit race, I walked across the dirt to the portajon, and it had rained that morning and they clogged up. Had to use a stick again. I can't imagine them being good off-road pedals. I use the ATAC Aliums on my mtn bike with no problems. I'm a Sidi man, though.
Just an idea, you could try a shim under the cleat. Some pedals come with a steel shim to go under the cleat, and that would be tougher than your shoe. It would also raise the shoe away from the cleat a little and maybe the cleat would rest on the pedal body instead of the sole resting on the hoops.

Just a couple of ideas, I hope they help. If you do decide to switch to frogs let me know. I need new pedals!

 

[Ian F]

Originally posted by bomberz1qr20


What makes the Nikes fit so well? Is it the heel or the toebox?
I have narrow heels so Answer shoes always seem to keep my heels from pulling up.

Look into the new Crank Bro Egg Beaters. They're like a four sided time pedal, very sweet.

And I'd look into one of the stiffer soled shoes, maybe a pair of Carnacs, they're VERY durable and can be found cheap on sale fairly often. (at least when I've seen em). Seems like you just need a tougher shoe...

Hope this helps...

Carnacs don't fit. They can't be laced tight enough so that I won't pull out of them. Ditto for Sidi's. I had a pair of Dominator 2's and had them as tight as they could go and could pull them off like a slipper. I have a rather narrow foot and the Cairns are the only shoe I've found that I can actually get too tight. I have 4 pair of shoes so I'll switch pedals before changing shoes.

The Egg Beaters look like a good pedal and have gotten good reviews, but I slam rocks quite often and they just look too delicate for me. They also look like they would suffer the same wear issues.

I like the Frogs because I have some friends who use them and they are good in mud like Times. I don't know what edoz is doing wrong (are you sure you don't have the road pedals? the lolli-pop looking things? I have those on my road bike and they'll clog up if you even look at dirt), but I've seen guys with their shoes caked in mud and the pedals engage.

I've wondered about adding reinforcing plates. Does anyone make them?

Thanks for the input

 

[edoz]

Originally posted by Ian F


I don't know what edoz is doing wrong (are you sure you don't have the road pedals? the lolli-pop looking things? I have those on my road bike and they'll clog up if you even look at dirt), but I've seen guys with their shoes caked in mud and the pedals engage.


Thanks for the input

No, I'm sure they are Frogs. I've thought about switching to the X-2's but those new Coombe pros look nice.
I'm just telling you how my Frogs have performed. Everyone else I've talked to says they are great. They get good reviews, so I'm not sure what the deal is. Maybe I have a bad pair or something. Maybe they just don't want to be on a road bike.

 

[daveM]

Hey, I had the same thing happen to my Shimano shoes. They still have some miles left in them, so I took a spare set of the threaded plates that go inside the shoes for the cleat screws to thread into, and centerd that between the cleat and sole on the bottom of the shoe on the outside of the sole. Works great! I had to drill a couple of new holes, and grind the plates flat. Could be the next big product to market!

 

[Velocity Girl]

The problem I had with my Frogs in the mud was not engaing them, but disengaing them! When you go to clip out and your foot is stuck solid, it is not a good feeling (especially after you tip over )

 

[Crank Brothers]

Hey Ian F You manage to bend break or otherwise mess up the Beaters, we will give you a new one.


Rupert
CB

 

[RideMonkey]

I have never experienced this problem with Times. I use SIDI shoes.

 

[1speed]

running the same combo as RM and have never had a problem.

maybe Nike's sweat shops need higher end sole material...

 

[Ian F]

Originally posted by 1speed
running the same combo as RM and have never had a problem.

maybe Nike's sweat shops need higher end sole material...

The Cairnes are made in Italy... by Sidi, or so I've been told...

 

[Dark Helmet]

Originally posted by Ian F
I'd like to avoid changing pedals on 4 bikes, but thinking of switching to Frogs...

I did what you're thinking about doing, except in reverse. I finally got tired of replacing cleats, pedal bodies and bearings on my Frogs. No doubt they were the most comfortable cleats I've EVER ridden on, I just got sick of the maintenance involved.

So, I switched to Time Atac alum., it's only been 4 months, although initially I didn't care for them too much, I am now finally getting used to them and like them a lot. We don't have much mud in So. Cal., so clogging has never been an issue.
Could be the sole's of your shoes are not strong enough and are wearing. I use Sidi's and I have never had a problem with the sole's.

 

[ssaddict]

Originally posted by Ian F


The Egg Beaters look like a good pedal and have gotten good reviews, but I slam rocks quite often and they just look too delicate for me. They also look like they would suffer the same wear issues.

Thanks for the input

I've been running these for about 3-4 months and I can say they are rock solid. Hands down the Cheapest, Lightest, and Easiest pedals I've ever used (Shimano every kind, Onza, C4, Wellgos, Time's, Speedplays). I have tagged these pedals on rocks more than a few times and the will not break.

I don't think you could find a better pedal on the market at this time, IMHO.

I'm currently waiting on their DH model which they are unfortunatly not going to release until 2003.

PS have you tried Northwave's they are pretty narrow shoes.

 

[reflux]

Originally posted by Ian F

The Egg Beaters look like a good pedal and have gotten good reviews, but I slam rocks quite often and they just look too delicate for me.

Thanks for the input

I had to replace the spring axles in my Times at Sea Otter because the clip in/out felt like absolute crap. The Time reps told me that this happens quite often and most cases are mistaken as worn cleats. Anyway, he told me the spring axles just need one good smack on a rock and they are bent (even a small bend makes a big difference). I saw a buddy's set of EB's tonigt and the pedal looks to be a little more solid than my Times. I'm really looking forward to trying out a set of EB's.

 

[Castor]

Regarding to the sole wear and tear: I happen to have had contact with Timesports (France) about a Freeride pedal, named Z, it uses the ATAC technology but has a cage which enables you to even wear tennis-shoes. I wrote an article in Dutch, but the english specs and a picture are there to see too http://www.mountainbike.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?topic=1996&forum=16&9

I have waited and evaluated the purchase of Time pedals for some time now, but this seems my reward.

 

[Cracker]

I have times and have never had a problem with them. Only once have they been too mudded up to clip in. I'm not sure who recommend the shim between the cleat and the shoe bottom, but that should be your first fix, rather than buying four sets of new pedals. Try that out and let us know if it works.