What is the most common pedal choice TDR racers?

[2013TDhopeful]

I have seen lots of debate online regarding pedals, but couldn't find much from people who participated in the GDMBR.  I was considering the Shimano XT and Crank Brothers Candy 3 pedals because they seem to be popular XC pedals in general, but I was hoping I could get some advice from you guys regarding the best pedals for this race specifically -- or at least find out what pedals are most commononly used on (and survive) the Tour Divide race.  I'm sure that virtually every pedal out there could be found on the trail at some time, but I have to think there are a couple specific pedals that are seen crossing the finish line most often.  Thanks. 

   

[sthig]

keenly interested in this

[THE LONG RANGER]

It's gonna be similar to saddle choice (or contact points, in general): usually it's what you're used to, and have good personal luck with. I've used Crank Bros. for forever, and used it for the TD. First year, a new pair of Candy 3's broke before Grants NM, second year a rebuilt pair I borrowed made it all the way. Not many places en-route to pick up pedals after Salida. The Walmart in Grants, NM will have pedals to get you to Silver City. Which, is what I did the first year, but I couldn't even get the broken pedal off - the tool actually broke in half, trying to loosen it.

Not a bad idea to send along an extra pair of pedals in the post somewhere half way, in case the pedals start to feel... broken...y. I did, in Salida, given my experiences the year before. If you send back some warmer-weather clothes at the same time, you should have plenty of room to stash them somewhere. Don't need them? Send them back with the clothes.

[OllieW]

After years of being a Crank Brothers fan boi a string of catastrophic failures turned me to Shimano. The new Shimano XT and XTRs are awesome and hard to beat for reliability. Both Craig and I were running XTRs and while mine finished with no worries, his developed a rumble which turned into a heartbreaking failure just outside Grants. There are just so many stories like this in the TD where you can do everything you can to get the most reliable gear, but bad luck can put an end to all the preparation. My advice, buy the XTRs and get them blessed by your relevant omnipotent spiritual figure.

[ascar_larkinyar]

i have two sets of TI eggbeaters.  one on the cranks and a backup pair in my bag.  if you are going to run them better bring a backup cause right when you need them the most is when they will fall apart.

i run them mostly for the float.

[BigPoppa]

I'm a crank brothers fan too but I was worried about failures for the TD. I used the carbon Time atac. I still have the same pedals on my bike and they are solid after ~4000 miles.

I have considered going with some egg beater pedals and carrying a spare set. I'm just not sure if it is worth the weight....

[stappy]

Even after the failure I still love shimano peddles. The new 980 xtr have shallower bearings to accommodate thinner peddle bodies with less deck height for better efficiency. Shimano has been working out the kinks since these peddles came out. I knew about the issues and had toasted two sets of early production run 980's. Deciding between xt, which I knew were bombproof, and xtr was something I deliberated on right up until I left for Banff. I started with a new warranty replacement set of xtr's confident in shimano's ability to resolve the issue and because I was greedy for every once of efficiency. In the end they made it roughly to Grants. Should have run xt, could've sent peddles in my package to change out as a preventative measure. If I were racing again it would be with xt and with total confidence. I think 980 peddle bodies are 14mm thick and xt, deore, older xtr are 19mm.
I wouldn't use crank bros, used them for years, 2700 miles would be a gamble. I've found Time to be pretty bomber as well.

[2013TDhopeful]

Sounds like the XT pedals are the safest way to go.  Any thoughts on getting the 785's with the small platform/cage around the pedal for a little more support vs. the regular 780's?  It's extra weight (65 grams), but I didn't know if that might help reduce hot spots on long days. 

[ETURK]

After years of being a Crank Brothers fan boi a string of catastrophic failures turned me to Shimano. The new Shimano XT and XTRs are awesome and hard to beat for reliability. Both Craig and I were running XTRs and while mine finished with no worries, his developed a rumble which turned into a heartbreaking failure just outside Grants. There are just so many stories like this in the TD where you can do everything you can to get the most reliable gear, but bad luck can put an end to all the preparation. My advice, buy the XTRs and get them blessed by your relevant omnipotent spiritual figure.

I agree with XTRs - they are reliable. That said I went fancy 2 years ago and got a aftermarket TI spindle for them - which did make them lighter. However after a season of use and riding secton 1 of the CTR just for fun, It snaped clean off (stuck to my shoe!). My leason is I don't trust TI anymore in peds.

[ETURK]

Teching out here a bit, I should (trusworth XTR aside) I have been eyeing the new Look S Track peds. I don't normally get this detail on peds, but they got something new: Stainless steel with a removable carbon cage that is WIDE for the feet (I like the idea of platforms for long rides), weight is clamed at 122g for the S-Track Carbon Ti, but I would get the S-Track race to avoid the Ti. I also think they have bigger bearings, a plus. Like most cleats, these come with adjustable pads so you can get that tight click for a snug outer shoe on the outer cage contact. If only I could get a carbon cage on my XTRs.

Read more at: http://www.lookcycle.com/media/upload/DOSSIER_DE_PRESSE_S-TRACK-EN.pdf
Or watch this video:

LOOK S-TRACK + Christoph Sauser

This the claim: "The total surface obtained, 460 mm2, is by far the largest on the market, which assists power transmission and provides unmatched
comfort."

[RideLikeAlf]

I used Shimano PD M530s - cheap as chips - and they made it all the way to the border  . The platform around the pedal clips allows you to get one or two urgent pedal strokes in before you are fully clipped in, which can be an advantage when remounting up some of the steeper stuff.

[sthig]

omg - thank you for this, Elf

[RideLikeAlf]

ur welcome, stig

[sthig]

the local bike shop and crank bros are going to let me demo some Mallet 3's (http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet3.php) to see how they work for me.  I've got some issues with my left foot and could use a flat when needed

[Blackhound]

Shimano for me.  I had one to many failures with the Crank Bros one's in the past .  The Shimano I used in 2011 (530 I think, lower than xt anyway) had a few years use on them before I started training for TD11. Was going to replace them but did not get round to it and they were fine.

Got a bit sloppy last winter and got 2 more pairs for £60 (~$100) which I expect to last years. (I had a few mtb's and one set of pedals)

[sthig]

I got my mallet 3's and it's my goal to put near 200 miles on them this weekend to see how they work

[chriskmurray]

Another person with far too many crank bros reliability issues to trust them on anything as big as the divide.  I had a run where in 2 months 3 sets of pedals crapped the bed.  The brass cleats on crank bros also wear out fairly quick, Shimano's last nearly forever.  The cheapy Shimano 520's are nice enough I would not hesitate to put them on a bike headed down the divide, the newer style Shimano's are working out some kinks for sure but the older style XT's and XTR's are incredibly reliable.

[sthig]

Thanks chris!

[Adam Alphabet]

Any reports on Speedplay Frog's on the divide? how'd they fair?

[hitek]

I been leaning towards a platform style pedal, then I make a attempt at the Divide in 2014