Hi, Sara

I used to have Shimano SPDs on my mountain bike and on my road bike. I used to have them set on the lightest setting to be able to get out of them quickly. Although they were adjustable, which was a good thing, I also found that I could accidentally adjust them the wrong way! Ouch! They also required some maintenance - all those moving parts needs lube and need to be checked frequently.

When I switched to Candy's on my mtb, which I also used on my road bike until DH bought me quattros, I loved them instantly! What I have found over time is that the cleat for the eggbeater series of pedals is softer so that it wears out first and the pedal will stay true to its shape for a long time. You do need to replace the cleats more often than you would with Shimanos, but they are not very expensive. The Candy's are great on the mtb, and the quattros are perfect on the road bike. They have just the right sized surface for balance and for pedaling and coasting unclipped, which I tend to do when I'm getting going and getting stopped. I have had no trouble with them not releasing when I need them to!

Me, I'd go with the quattros in a second!

If you're ever worried about getting out of your pedals, a quick spray of your cleats with teflon spray before a ride and they'll be just like butter!

DH just got himself a set of quattros on ebay and says the pricing is looking very good there at the moment. It's worth a look. OH, and they come in such pretty colours!

Oh, and the eggbeaters are the simple pedal with just the mechanism and no frame around it. These can wear your shoes out because there is not surface to hold your weight from around the shoe...which might be why you've been told to avoid them.

Have fun with your new bike!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~