Sportif Pedals? Crank Brothers Quattro?..Suggestions please!

Spikedhope
Spikedhope Posts: 144
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
Ok all you lovely Radar people here is my problem, I hope to hear some really good words of advice!

Every year I do a couple of 'sportif' bike rides using a road bike. The longest event being 300km. Currently I'm using Campagnolo Pro-fit pedals, nice...but a bitch to clip into, and during a 300km event which starts at 11pm, I'm looking for something more user friendly to clip into, and probably easier to walk in (I'm thinking of getting some new MTB shoes for the sportifs as walking about at the feeding stations, taking a crap etc. isn't funny with big cleats).

So, what do people advise?
I was thinking of using Crank Brothers Quattro, but them seem to be discontinued - why? What about other Crank Brother Pedals??

Or Speedplay??
(I do have a lot of problems with 'Hot Feet' too, I've read both good and bad things about Speedplay...and walking in them sounds awful!)

I do also have some Shimano A520 pedals..which are fine, but I don't think fishing equipment belongs on a bike.

My first event is only in a couple weeks, so I really hope to get some great tips quickly..so I can nip to the shops and get training with my new Bikeradar readers choice!! :-)

Comments

  • bobpzero
    bobpzero Posts: 1,431
    speedplay zero(either with the chromoly or stainless steel spindles) , with coffee shop caps covering the cleats are a lot easier to walk on.
    it may seem to take a long time to get them off and on. or u could go with mtb shoes and pedals option
  • graeme_s-2
    graeme_s-2 Posts: 3,382
    I thought the Quattros were still being manufactured and sold, just the UK distributor isn't importing them anymore. I've just looked on the Crank Brothers website, and they're not listed there anymore at all :(

    I love my quattros and have them on both my bikes. Use them for commuting, training and triathlons. The cleats are really easy to walk about in and they feel great on the bike. Gutted that I'm going to have to change systems at some point now :(
  • Spikedhope
    Spikedhope Posts: 144
    Just got this from Crank Brothers this morning: The Quattro pedals have been discontinued, as we will be focusing on mtn biking products only.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Try the CB acids, decent sized platform underfoot easy in and out.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    Spikedhope wrote:
    I was thinking of using Crank Brothers Quattro, but them seem to be discontinued - why? What about other Crank Brother Pedals??

    Or Speedplay??
    (I do have a lot of problems with 'Hot Feet' too, I've read both good and bad things about Speedplay...and walking in them sounds awful!)

    Crank Brothers Quattros have a tendency to fall apart.

    Speedplays I have replaced my Quattros with seem ok so far.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Do they not make the Candy's? They are quite nice. Bound to be some old stock Quattros about so you could buy them up. Speedplays seem prone to filling with cack but that's an observation not experience. Really the usual 3 (Look,Shimano,Time) seem to work for most people
    M.Rushton
  • Spikedhope
    Spikedhope Posts: 144
    I've had look, Campy Pro-fit are about the same...never met anyone who has used Time....just I wonder what people can advise, I do like the concept of Speedplay....but I have heard mixed reports...more bad than good. Still hope to get some more gems of advice from BR.

    Chairs

    Mike
  • bobpzero
    bobpzero Posts: 1,431
    well id like to know what bad reports of the speedplay zero there are. probably just the expense of the cleats..
  • John Stevenson
    John Stevenson Posts: 962
    I'm a Speedplay fan, but I wouldn't use them in a situation where I expected to walk a lot. The cleats wear quickly if walked in, and I can't see the point in carrying around cleat covers. I carry enough junk around as it is.

    I'd go for stiff MTB shoes and associated pedals. Crank Bros Egg Beaters or Candy would do the job.
    John Stevenson
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    If you are riding big distances like that - then I'd go for road shoes and Looks.

    Lets face it - time on the pedals is gonna outweigh time walking around massively - so cater for the cycling part. You can always put on rubber cleat covers for cafe stops. My mates been using this technique for a dozen or more years. Then again - I just use Looks and can waddle about fine - not had a problem in 20+ years.
  • Spikedhope
    Spikedhope Posts: 144
    Hummm....I can't decide over the following:

    MTB shoes with shimano A520 SPD pedals

    Or, Road shoes with either Look Keo or Shimano SPD-SL

    The advantage of the MTB shoe, is you do actually get a fair contact area with the pedal if your shoe grip has good contact. Plus you can walk about alot and clipping in and out is cake.

    Road shoes with Look Keo or SPD-SL.....I've never tried either and would love to know which is better or worse and why?

    I used the old look system for years but switched to Campy Pro-fit....and I just can't clip in as easily as I would like. (last year during a 300km event in the pitch of night and having just stopped for a pee....I just couldn't locate the click in....)

    Looking forward to hearing some wise words!!

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