[Closed] Time Atac MX4 pedals? comapred to CB shimano etc

Have only run Shimano (various) and Time MX2.

Tried Time for the float offered, and they live up to their reputation, although the floaty feel does take some getting used to, feels like skiting about ice to being with!

Because of the float it seems to take a little bit more foot movement to unclip, but it's never caused me any problems.

Mud clearance is great, I feel it earns me a few overtakes in the average CX race as I seem to be able to clip in quicker than others on Shimano.

Can't comment on maintenance yet, my first set broke but were warrantied, the arches that hold the cleat were 'stamped' rather than moulded so had sharp edges which must have weakened them. The replacements had moulded arches (rounder and smoother) which are still going strong. I hear there's a couple of bolts that can loosen and come adrift if you don't keep your eyes on them.

To be honest though, I've never had a pair of Shimano pedals wear out, always considered them top of the tree for durability...

Used all three. Wouldn't consider CB as not fit for purpose from a reliability pov IME. Shimano OK but ultimately always going back to TIME (first used ATAC when in came out 25 years ago...). Clipping in and out feels so instinctive, seamless and positive. Never had reliability issues with Time.

I have both Time and Shimano. My missus is on the Time now as she really hated Shimano! I did prefer the Time pedals but she wasn't confident on the Shimano at all.

I like how reliable Shimano are, but the Time feel better to clip in and out of to me.

Hi Mate, I've used all three over the years. Started with Shimano and moved to CB when I got my first Heckler. After many rebuilds I finally got sick of rebuilding them, only to fall apart again 2-3 months later, so I tried Time and not looked back. probably been on Time/Mavic pedals for the last 7 year at least.

Nice float, good platform, reasonable cost, last ages unless you clip a rock with the spring bit on the underside (tends to make it bent and loose so your foot can come out on the odd occasion you don't want it to) They clear mud and ice with a quick stamp, easy and positive clip in, what's not to like. I'd avoid the "Easy" cleats though which I think come with the MX2's.

Garry has converted to Time the last couple of years, from being a long lover of Shimano and you know what he's like with kit;-)

Anyway, hope your well and Happy New year

Carlos

I've used Time ATACs for yeeeeeeeeears. Can't comment any Shimano/CB as I've never used them, but when it comes to this question:

are they easy to service? parts readily available?

I don't know, because I've never needed to know, if that tells you anything.

Hi Mate, I’ve used all three over the years. Started with Shimano and moved to CB when I got my first Heckler. After many rebuilds I finally got sick of rebuilding them, only to fall apart again 2-3 months later, so I tried Time and not looked back. probably been on Time/Mavic pedals for the last 7 year at least.
Nice float, good platform, reasonable cost, last ages unless you clip a rock with the spring bit on the underside (tends to make it bent and loose so your foot can come out on the odd occasion you don’t want it to) They clear mud and ice with a quick stamp, easy and positive clip in, what’s not to like. I’d avoid the “Easy” cleats though which I think come with the MX2’s.
Garry has converted to Time the last couple of years, from being a long lover of Shimano and you know what he’s like with kit;-)
Anyway, hope your well and Happy New year
Carlos

Yo mate all good thanks hope you are too - happy new year to you and yours (and garry too!)

thats cool to hear - what model is it you guys are running? thats pretty damned reassuring given how many miles you do a year, and some big ass rides too! so they must be very reliable!

i think ill give them a try - as long as they arent any harder to get out of than shimano then thats all good with me, if they are inbetween shimano and CB for ease of use then great, with the better reliablity its win win

they never get a mention in any tests, just the usual suspects, but im fed up of having to buy new every 6 months, and like you once CB have been rebuilt once i find they fall apart within a month again, just a waste of money

As for everyone else thanks for input so far, sounds promising! sounds like all the benefits of the others combined with no real downside

I think we're both on MX4, although Garry might be on MX6's. Couple of other guys I ride with have also converted d=from Shimano to Time and are loving them

As for reliability, I think I've had one pair warrantied due to the spring snapping and they were just swapped out, not repaired. never rebuilt them, don;t even know how to take them apart. They are defo easier than Shimano (from what I remember) when clipping in (just don;t get the easy cleats, they are too easy in and out at 10*. Where as the standard cleats are 13/17*) I'd guess they are on par with CB, maybe a little harder to get into, I can't remember tbh its been that long.

If you do get some and don't get on with them they won't last long on the classifieds, i'd even have them off ya 😉

that's good to know its the mx4 as they are the ones ive looked at most - cheers for info im gonna give them a punt! they are £43 on merlin - and sounds like they are gonna last a while too - that's good enough for me!

I think CB is 10degree release angle to as standard (could be wrong) so may just try them like that first, then get some more of the 13 ones when summer comes for summer shoes....will give them a try though - im gonna regrease the shimano saints ive got - should be able to sell them for similar money as these are going to cost, then if i dont like these ill flog em and try again with something else 😥

I would get the MX2, they're identical bar a few grams and are £30 at Merlin.

oh yeah shit - didn't see there was a model below - are they really the same? same internals etc?

The regular cleats are 13 and 17 - depends which foot you put them on what these angle you get. The instructions tell all. 😉

Oh, I came from CB btw. Times are a more positive in and out, but not really any more difficult, if that makes any sense at all! Difficult to describe.

cheers bud - appreacite the input - sounds good 🙂

The description of the axle differs slightly between MX2 and MX4 but I reckon that's BS.
I have the 4 and my mate has the 2 they look identical and we've had them for 3 years without any difference functionnaly. I would buy the 2 if I needed new ones.

cheers nick may as well save a few quid too then 🙂

Rode Shimano for years before switching to Time (Z freerides, MX2s and 4s) maybe 10-12yrs ago. Much prefer Time. Tried Shimano again briefly and all the same problems I'd had were still there (unwanted releases being the biggest). Word of 'warning', the latest set of MX2s I bought last year came with some new kind of 'beginner' cleats with a 10-degree release angle.

They are a steal at £30. I don't think many Time adopters have gone back to other clipless but a lot of people simply don't realise how good the Atac system is.

Was a long time Time user. Got on well with the metal bodied pedals (z-freerides?). Newer 'plastic' cages got smashed up pretty quick for me. Went to XT Trails and not looked back. XTs far more durable in the rocks.

I’ve also been a long Time user. Still have one of the original pedals from the 90s on my old bike back in the UK but the newer plastic bodied versions have become less and less robust in a bid to make them lighter and The pedals fall apart before the bearings wear out. CB pedals I know wouldn’t last a week with me. But according to my LBS Time are going to discontinue making the ATAC system (Look have already changed to a Shimano style) which is why I went for some XTR pedals for my cross race bike. So far I have been really impressed with them. I actually find they engage more easily than the Times when jumping back on in a race situation but they didn’t perform so well after running in thick mud it took a few goes of getting clipped in.

But according to my LBS Time are going to discontinue making the ATAC system

I wouldn't take much notice of what this LBS says...