clipless pedals - Alternatives to SPD

I’ve only ever used Crank Brothers and have nothing but good things to report.
easy in and out. Lots of float.

Time from the ATAC family. Been using them since the mid 90's. Mostly awesome. Only broken one in all that time.

Also bent the crank arm and cracked the bottom bracket spindle at the same time, so i'm not mad.

Got some nice trail type pedals in their range now too.

Time

I was a long time spd user but now use Mallet's, the only downside I've experienced is that they need a lot more maintenance. The actual function is better IMO (easier to engage but impossible to accidentally unclip upwards). They also have a better platform than SPD's (I think Saint are the only SPD option with a platform) and also have the adjustable traction pads as well as the pins. I bought mine second hand, not sure I couldn't stomach the full RRP.

Another happy Time user. Merlin had some good prices on them a while ago

Crank Brothers Candy 3's. I use them for Road, Gravel, Touring and MTB-XC/Bikepacking.

Crank Bros for me for over 20 years - lovely float, cheap and reliable. Tried SPD for a few months and nope.

If you like spd then Hope. Like SpDs but better in every way.

Another very long term Time ATAC user here. Loads of float, easy to use in almost all conditions, simple to service.

Time ATAC here. Great system, fitted them years ago and never needed to do anything to them since.

Time ATAC for 20+ year.. Seemingly unkillable, indeed I've never bought a pair new, they've all been second hand, and I've never done any form of servicing on any of them.

Consider every other component on your bike and how it's changed in the last 30 year. Now think about the SPD. Hardly changed at all and with good reason.

CB Mallets for me every time

Time. Like crank brothers but not shit and requiring relentless maintenance.These days mx6

I use Look pedals though they still compatible with SPD cleats.

Returned to SPDs (and Nukeproof CS pedals) a few years ago as a long time crank brothers user.

Preferred the float and feel of the CB pedals, hated the constant maintenance.

The CS pedals are lovely and tight for a few rides, and then the bushings get sloppy, the cleats wear quickly, and it all feels shit.

Time ATAC user for past 12+ years, absolutely faultless and brilliant for my wonky knees.

Time from the ATAC family. Been using them since the mid 90’s

Same here, bought them as my first clip less pedals as they have more float and I have a dodgy knee. 30 years later and never used anything else on MTB, ,gravel or road....so they work, but others may be just as good, I wouldn't know.

It's all personal preference so its probably useful to know what the differences are between SPD and other systems. What feels different with the Time pedals? (Presuming someone's tried them both)

I went from SPDs to CB which have loads more float and easier to clip in and out of which gave me confidence on more gnarly trails (used to just ride SPDs on the XC bike). Despite this I missed the locked in feel of SPDs as the CB feel quite loose, and I missed the clear end of float feel. Went from that to Hopes and found a very happy medium. The entry and release is so nice and easy but they still feel lovely and secure, plus the bearings hold up beautifully. Best way I can describe the difference is that you don't have to do the toe hook then stamp in quite such a defined way, just wave your feet at the pedal and you're in.

As an aside I've always steered clear of non shimano systems which use SPD cleats as I figured that Shimano must be the most optimised, and IME the m520's will outlast me.

I had Time for about 25 years, last year I changed to Shimano.  I found the current style of Time pedals to wear quickly, clicks and creaks, and the pedals damaging the soles of my shoes (I snapped the sole of my winter boots where the grooves weakened the shoe, and cracked the soles of another pair of shoes).  I tried using sole savers after that but didn't really like the metal-on-metal and increased fiddlyness clipping in.  The old Time pedals with four springs and round wire bars were much better but I think there is only one style still made that way. (MX2 and 4)

However Shimano hasn't been perfect, I've got XT pedals and one side of the right pedal clicks and has some play between cleat and pedal.

Time. I have broken three pedals in six years , the mechanism eats into shoe sole and clipping in is harder than in Shimano. Oh and cleat are brass and do not like walking on rocky terrain.
Still going to use them as they work with my knees.

I started on SPD, then got on the Crank Brothers hype train with Mallets, Candys, Quattros, and Eggbeaters on a range of bikes. While they are great (and agree with everything said above about service requirements), no doubt, what no-one tells you is that they eat shoes. The way the cleat/pedal interface works, unless you're very careful about using a cleat plate or similar to protect your shoes you end up with the pedal bars wearing deep grooves. Currently on Hope RCs, but not been on them long enough to give a full report, other than to say I like them and are closer to SPD feel than Crank Brothers. Also Ti axle as standard on the RC models and fully rebuildable by Hope sold it for me.

Shimano Deore Trail Pedals , decent size platform which my knees like ? cheap as and virtually indestructible ? XT if you want to be a bit more flash, recently got a pair for about £70 .

Long term CB user here. They do need to be greased, but it takes seconds. I find it a satisfying part of the inspect/lube session.

Still going to use them as they work with my knees.

We must have different knees. I gave up on Time cos I couldn’t easily rotate my foot to release. Yes, I am like a duck:-)

what no-one tells you is that they eat shoes

My Candy's have never done this. I wonder if the wider contact area makes a difference?

Time Atac used here.

Get them with the only Crank Brothers item needing zero maintenance, ever. The shoe protector plate.

I was on Times from the mid 90s, always liking them in use, but moved to Shimano two years ago after experiencing some of the same issues with durability/serviceability as others above. The SPDs are fine after the initial recalibration period - prefer the ME700 pedals to the M540 grenades. If money was no object I'd be looking at Hope for spares backup and complete serviceability - that's the way I'd be going in the future.

EDIT: the SPD cleats are deeper/thicker than Time, noticeable on hikeabike stuff if you've got shallow soles.

I went Shimano to time and back to Shimano

The time cleats are not cheap and wear out.

I did break a few pairs and I worn a few pairs out. The pedals with square bars I had wore out. The round bars lasted thousands of gritty miles.

I have about 7 pairs I can't bring myself to get rid of. Any interest? Lighish ( non carbon), heavy attack z, and a pair of the specials if anyone is interested.

I'll sell you a barely used XTR xc pair cheap if you like. That way I can go hope on my last hold out shoes for the gravel bike.

I’m with benpinnick.

I gave up on Crank Brothers pedals a while back as I was getting sick of the constant rebuilds.

After reading a review of the Hope GC’s on Loamwolf I thought I’d give them a punt and I’m glad I did. They are exactly as the reviewer says.

Another happy time user for last 20 odd years

If money was no object I’d be looking at Hope for spares backup and complete serviceability – that’s the way I’d be going in the future.

Shimano are completely  servicable?

Oh and cleat are brass and do not like walking on rocky terrain.

I've still got some of the original narrow cleats in service on a pair of winter boots... They haven't been made for 20 years. Spent most of their first few years of use riding in the Peak District.

Time, I have ATAC, MX and Speciale's on my off-road biased bikes. My knees thank me every day as I'm not built like @DrJ

what no-one tells you is that they eat shoes
My Candy’s have never done this. I wonder if the wider contact area makes a difference?

Same here - I've just thrown out my oldest pair of shoes because everything delaminated, soles were tatty, but not knackered?

Time ATAC, I started out on SPDs, then about 15 years on CB, constant maintenance, wobbly wings on some Eggbeaters, many pairs of worn shoes... Now I've got 4 pairs of Times and love them, solid engagement, maintenance free and no issues so far.

Time user here too. Really like the Speciale 12's using now. Expensive at RRP but can get a lot cheaper if shop around.

We must have different knees. I gave up on Time cos I couldn’t easily rotate my foot to release. Yes, I am like a duck:-)

I believe so since my knees are here, hurting like hell after couple of days at the fells.

Time Easy cleats work for me,  regular ones too if slightly filed for narrower exit angle. My dodgy ankle doesn’t like the narrower angle from regular cleat and 17 deg version is impossible.

I'm intrigued by the Hope Union, but I need two pairs and £260 on pedals is making my bank acct ache

@benpinnick, when I'm back in the world, I'll message you about those XTR, thanks