Crankbrothers Quattro vs. SPD - So confused!

[BeeLady]

I have SPDs, they are the only ones I've used and I like 'em and I like the shoes that I got with them that I can also walk in, as I use my bike for errands.

Two tips that were given to me that I think are worth passing on: when you buy your shoes and SPDs/eggbeaters/whatever, ask for your bike to be put on a trainer in the LBS and practice clipping and unclipping for a while. Second tip: I am glad that I got in the habit of always unclipping my left foot; no thinking, just unclip that foot. I leave my right foot clipped as that is my stronger leg to push down on the pedal when I start off.

[emily_in_nc]

I had to shave the sole of my heavy-treaded mountain shoes (Cannondales) a LOT to be able to clip in at all to Eggbeaters Candies. Eventually I got it mostly right, but I still had some trouble clipping in with my second foot on rooty singletrack, since I couldn't coast long enough on that type of surface to clip in easily every time, so I often ended up riding with the second foot unclipped for awhile. Not fun!

So, on the recommendation of Triskeliongirl, who posts here, I switched to Speedplay Frogs and sleeker shoes and LOVE the pedals. They are very easy to clip into and out of; I never give it a second thought. And, they have float to help your knees, unlike SPDs (as I understand it, I've never used SPDs).

Good luck with whatever you end up with. I'm obviously in the minority with the Eggbeaters. I did like them -- I suspect my shoe was more to blame than the pedals, and the fact that I had a shim under the right cleat to correct for a leg-length discrepancy. I think that made clipping in harder. So, you will probably not have this experience.... The Candies colors were great - I do miss that about them, since I love a color-coordinated bike. Oh well, can't have everything!

Emily