pedal questions... Crank Brothers Quattro SL or Ti

[luckeeesmom]

Hello,
I am new to road biking and just got a very lightly used Giant OCR 2 at the lbs last week. While a little wobbly at first I have caught on quickly and did a 10 mile ride on Sunday and a 6 mile ride yesterday. I am training to do a sprint triathlon in the summer and expect that I will want to convert from platform pedals to clipless.

I recently bought Specialized motodiva mb shoes because I got a great deal on them and they fit my feet really well. Since they take spd cleats I have been looking at the Crank Brothers Quattro due to the good reviews I have read and also the fact that they have a larger platform.

I am torn between getting the SL upgrading to the Ti. Online I found the SL for $88 and the Ti for $110. Does anyone on TE have experience with these pedals or is knowledgable about quality differences between the two models? Being new to biking I didn't know if pedals are a good component to splurge on or if my money is better spent on other components. Any advise is appreciated!

[Eden]

While $110 is a very good price for the Ti pedals (in fact I'd be very suprised if you can actually get them at this price.....), the only difference between those and the SL's is that the spindle is Ti rather than stainless steel, so they are a tiny bit lighter - like maybe 40grams, which is roughly 1.5oz.

[salsabike]

I am switching from Speedplay Frogs to Quattros and love the Quattros. Mine are stainless steel.

[luckeeesmom]

Yes they are a very good deal! I found them at a bike shop online out of indianapolis and they sell for 137.95 but they have a coupon code for 20% off your first order and since I'd have to buy the 2 bolt cleats ($20) for the cheaper set the titanium ones end up being slightly more.

So do you think the quattros will be ok for first time clipless pedals? I suppose everyone has to start somewhere!

[Eden]

I think they are great for first time clipless users. They are very easy to clip in and out of, and if you decide to switch to road shoes some day, the pedals will still be 100% compatible. (I use them too!)

[GeoCam]

That same bike shop sells the Quattro SL on ebay for $78, which includes shipping AND cleats!!



Yes they are a very good deal! I found them at a bike shop online out of indianapolis and they sell for 137.95 but they have a coupon code for 20% off your first order and since I'd have to buy the 2 bolt cleats ($20) for the cheaper set the titanium ones end up being slightly more.

So do you think the quattros will be ok for first time clipless pedals? I suppose everyone has to start somewhere!

[GeoCam]

The pink ones on ebay are even less - I sure wish pink matched my bike!

It doesn't say whether the included cleats are the SPD 2-hole or the road style 3-bolt type. I'm going to ask the seller that question. I am ready to get pedals and this seller offers a good price. Thanks to the OP for the tip!

[Eden]

With quatto pedals the included cleats should be the 3 hole style - so unless it specifically says that they come with 2 hole cleats, I'd expect you would need to purchase those separately.

[GeoCam]

Eden,

As I tried to find that out, I noticed that different retailers offer different cleats. This one for example, indicates that the Quattro cleats are SPD style.

http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=7685

[luckeeesmom]

The site where I will buy is http://www.bicycleoutfittersindy.com/

If you are a first time buyer from this store you can receive 20% off with the coupon code A95436. The prices listed on the store are higher than shown on ebay however they ship free which, after using the 20% coupon code, makes them the same price as shown on ebay.

The SL's come with the three bolt cleats while the Ti's come with the 2 bolt cleat.

Ok Girls I haven't placed my order yet so don't buy them out of stock :)

[luckeeesmom]

i saw the pink ones too! I really like them but they won't go with my red bike!:(

[Eden]

Eden,

As I tried to find that out, I noticed that different retailers offer different cleats. This one for example, indicates that the Quattro cleats are SPD style.

http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=7685

I'd check that one carefully - if they are "Quattro cleats" they use a 3 hole bolt pattern (I have both types of Crank Bros pedals, Quattros and Candys) The cleats for Candys, eggbeaters, and the other mt bike/downhill style pedals are 2 hole. Unless the reseller is taking apart the factory packed boxes I would think they should be the cleats that match the pedals. I'd tend to think that the web site has incorrect infomation and I'd say defihnitely call them and clarify before you order.

The cleats are totally cross compatible - you can use the mt bike cleats with the road pedals and vice/versa - but you do need to make sure they will fit on your shoes.

[amelia05]

another satisfied quattro user here. They're easy to get into and out of, decent amount of float. The only thing I don't like about them is that occasionally I have trouble clipping in because the 4-sided clip spindle thingie is in juuust the wrong place to catch the cleat. I have to push it forward a little to get it to catch, which is not a big deal unless it happens when I'm trying to clip in at a busy intersection. Even then, the platform is big enough that you can use it like a standard platform pedal to get across and clip in after the "crisis" has passed. :)

I don't really have much else to add, but I second the comment about quattros coming with the 3-hole cleats but being compatible with the eggbeater/candy 2-hole cleats. The 3-hole cleat is the same metal cleat, but with a larger rubber platform around it. I like the 3-hole cleat better because it fits around the pedal and feels more secure, but I do use the smaller cleat on my mtb shoes and it works fine.

Another difference between the Ti and the SL, other than weight, is the rider weight limit. The SLs have no rider weight limit, the tech specs for the Tis say they're for riders 185 lbs or less. This may not be an issue for you, but it's the reason I'm waiting to put the Tis on my bike. 5 lbs to go! :)

[RolliePollie]

I'd check that one carefully - if they are "Quattro cleats" they use a 3 hole bolt pattern (I have both types of Crank Bros pedals, Quattros and Candys) The cleats for Candys, eggbeaters, and the other mt bike/downhill style pedals are 2 hole. Unless the reseller is taking apart the factory packed boxes I would think they should be the cleats that match the pedals. I'd tend to think that the web site has incorrect infomation and I'd say defihnitely call them and clarify before you order.

The cleats are totally cross compatible - you can use the mt bike cleats with the road pedals and vice/versa - but you do need to make sure they will fit on your shoes.

I love my Quattros! But mine came with 2-bolt cleats and I just bought replacement cleats and they are also 2-bolt. I think you have to buy a 3-hole adapter if you need the 3-bolt pattern. But maybe they've changed this on this year's Quattros. Mine are a year old so I'm not sure. Crankbrothers website has pictures and specs so you could check there to be sure.

Anyway, I have the SL's and they seem to be holding up quite well after about 2,500 miles. I believe I picked mine up for about $75 on Nashbar or Performance Bike...can't remember for sure! I think you'll be very happy with these pedals. They are easy to clip in and out of and the large pedal platform feels very stable. Plus I think they are cool looking!

[luckeeesmom]

Just ordered the quattro ti's! I was considering the sl's but after I added in the cost of the cleats for those I only had to pay about $15 more for the ti model. The store confirmed that the ti's come with the two hole bolt pattern. Also ordered a nice wheelset this evening. I can't wait until all of it comes in!:D

Thanks for all your responses, I found them very helpful. If there are any new riders in my area I'd love to go for a ride although I'm still doing fairly low mileage....