Submitted by
bryankauai
a Cross Country Rider
from kapaa
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2011
Strengths: just awesome. unbelievably reliable. NEVER pop out unless cleats are worn to down to tiny nubs...
Weaknesses: not for weight weenies
Bottom Line:
these are bad ass! ive had tons of these on a wide number of bikes.
currently i have em on my mtb, roadie, hell even my tricked beach cruiser rain bike.
i was turned on to em while riding fix gears way back when. kept poppin out of my spd's while skidding or sprinting. friend said "try these" never looked back.
im never scared of pop out while hammering super hard on my ss mtb.
shed mud well.
just excellent. well made.
i ride every day and get about a year outta the cleats, just about the time my shoes fall apart.
set and forget.
i recommend to all
but not for weight weenies
Bike Setup: Vassago jaber, ridged ss, this and that..
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Submitted by
shafertl
a Cross Country Rider
from Bozeman, MT
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2010
Strengths: Strong, reliable, easy to get in/out, maintenance free, sexy
Weaknesses: nada
Bottom Line:
These pedals are the best. I've not tried many others, as I've been riding these pedals for more than 11 years. And judging by the other reviews on this site, that is not evidence of weak riding; rather, a testamony of strength and reliability. I've raged hard all over the Rocky Mountain west on these pedals and never had a problem. I just recently sheared one of the metal bars on a spring break trip to Moab, as I bashed it on a rock. I can't even be mad after almost 12 years of solid use. Hell...I'm still riding them now. I just don't use that side. So here I am considering a new set of pedal, investigating what new products have entered the market and what new technology has been created since my last pedal purchase. I'll be ordering another set of these.
Bike Setup: An old Mountain Cycle Mojo Slix with other old parts. (I'm in grad school and can't afford new stuff. I was almost embarrassed to write this, but I just went on a ride yesterday after looking into getting a new bike with student loans and realized that I really love my bike).
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Submitted by
rcknroll35
a Cross Country Rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2010
Strengths: Solid, clear mud, NO maintenance (EVER), love the clear "clank" noise when clipping, undestroyable
Weaknesses: I never fell hard, so I'm not sure if they would easily clip-off, because they are quite stiff when compared to other pedals and there is no ajustment. This might be an issue to other people but no me.
Bottom Line:
Used those for around 8-9 years, transfering them from bike to bike as I went along and god are they great, good looking, solid and maintenance-free (9 years, never touched them). I really love the clear "clank" noise when clipping unlike other pedals where you're not to sure if you're clipped or not... Some will say that you don't have that problem "once you get used to" but why want to get used to them, if I can have pedals that could click right away, 100% of the time, without putting any afterthought, concentration on your feet??
If you don't care about not having any adjustment, then these (all Time pedals) are for you!
Highly recommended, outstanding product!! Will buy again if they EVER break!
Similar Products Used: Tried many pedals, many shimano's in fact.
Bike Setup: Transfered these pedals from 3 bikes in 9 years (approx). A Giant Warp DS1 1999 (1 year), a Norco Fireball 2001 (8 years) and I just bought a brand new Scott Spark 40, 2009. The guys told me I should go for the Shimano pedals, that they were popular, so I did (wondered, why not try?). Completely deceived : as crappy as 8 years ago, hard to clip properly/easily, always wondering "Am I clipped?" because there is no clear noise that you are, etc.
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Submitted by
zach lk sow
a Cross Country Rider
from kuala lumpur malaysia
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2009
Strengths: easy to use
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
my knees led my head to decide to try out clipless so that they can help out each other. Afer doing some research into clipless pedals, time atacs was what i decided to have and that is a very good decision.
Tried clipless for the first time, time atac is so easy to use, both clipping in and unclipping, the circular motion of pedalling really help my right knee, which is in pain for the past few months.
cann't wait to use it in my favourite trail in 2 days time.
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Racer
from Chicago, Illinois
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2007
Strengths: These are the best pedals I have ever ridden. They are totally reliable, clips in with a telling "twang", they don't let go when your sprinting (even when your sprinting for your life), require nearly zero maintenance, and feel solid. Everything breaks except for my pedals. Clears mud, salt, and ice like nothing I have ever ridden. Never are inescapable.
Weaknesses: hrmmm.. that is a difficult one. Perhaps the cleat material, the cleats are a soft metal which is fantastic for protecting floors and not destroying more expensive parts of the pedals with wear, but when they wear down (3+ months serious riding) they leave an uneven platform for your foot, which your lower leg accommodates for with a little conditioning. However I do have a set for beating the crap out of, and a set for racing which have fresh cleats.
Bottom Line:
From my experience as a racing cyclist and year round commuter in a horrible city for 5 years, there is no pedal I would trust more for clearing intersections and sprinting for buses for a pleasant draft.
Favorite Trail: Lake Front (I live in the city....)
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: used on craigslist
Similar Products Used: Pheew!... various Shimano garbage circa 1999-2001, Time ATAC alium, XS, and World Champion series. Speedplay X series, Zeros, and Frogs. Time Equipe. Look Keo, and the I use the newest plastic pedals for racing road, and time trialing.
Bike Setup: Merlin Extralight Winters: patchy shimano and old wheels. Old Dominator shoes. Summers: 105/Ultegra mix with Ksyrium (light ones), Century aerobars (more hand positions than "pure" aero, probably little difference in profile), Sidi Genius, and Dominator 5 shoes.
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Submitted by
Timsk
a Cross Country Rider
from Brighton, UK
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2007
Strengths: Keep on going and going and going.... I've never performed any maintenance on them and I've used them for MTBing and commuting in very wet contitions. Thick plastic body is very tough and still looks fresh after 5 years of riding. Zero play in the bearings. Very simple; float adjustments are made by swapping the cleats between shoes. Engagement is easy with a nice reassuring 'clunk'.
Weaknesses: Heavier than a lot of the racing/XC pedals on the market but not as bad as some claim. Weight = durability.
Bottom Line:
Don't Time deserve some kind award for this pedal, best clipless pedal ever made? I've never a component last this long. You can get them on Ebay for modest prices, I'm looking for a second set right now!
Similar Products Used: Egg Beaters. My Egg Beater Stainless lasted 18 months with 3 sets of new bearings before finally seizing up so badly I couldn't remove the inboard race. Beyond repair, ended up in the garbage.
Bike Setup: Pedals have been on numerous bikes- A Santa Cruz Superlight, Intense Tracer, Kona Cindercone, Edinburgh Cycles Courier, A Brompton Folder, A Dahon Speed Pro Folder. On One Singlespeed. Did 2500 miles across America with them on my old steel framed touring bike.
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Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Franklin, MA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2007
Strengths: Bomb proof Easy in and out the same every time Simple set up.
Weaknesses: none that I can see
Bottom Line:
I have been riding these pedals for more than 5 years. The same pedals. They are set to the lower release angle (15 i think). I have never had any trouble getting into or out of them once I got used to them. the first few rides were tough, but every time after, no problems. These things are bomb proof. I have smacked, whacked and cracked these things on rocks, roots, cacti, trees and shrubs from AZ to MA, which the exception of the scratches and dents, these pedals are just as solid as the day I got them.
By far the only component on my bike I don't have to worry about or adjust.
Submitted by
mancalledsharon
a Cross Country Rider
from salibury
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2007
Strengths: great for getting into and out of.no need to do anything to keep these working
Weaknesses: when wet you have to clip in or you'll slip off the small pedal
Bottom Line:
buy these second hand they go on forever i have a pair on both bikes(fixed pompino and mtb) they are so easy to use with no lock in. if you've never tried any other clipless pedal don't bother these are the daddy
Bike Setup: old marin with sram x9 avid v's pace forks
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Strengths: strong, easy in and out, maintenance free, install and forget about
Weaknesses: not the lightest pedal, but hey i'm not the lightest rider
Bottom Line:
About 7 years ago I ehlp my uncle's team out at 24hours of Snowshoe in West Virginia. One of the guys on his team had a new bike with TIME atac alium pedals on it. He hated the pedals. As payment for being their pit crew he gave them to me. Since then they have been on 4 different bikes, hundreds (probably thousands) of miles, and I havent done a damn thing to them. Never oiled them, never cleaned them. This is probably the only part of the bike I never think of. They are always easy to get into, easy to get out of. They have bashed off rocks, trees, roots, curbs, etc, and come out fine. Never bother with anything else. Time ATAC is the way to go
Submitted by
Jorgex
a Weekend Warrior
from Almada, Portugal
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2006
Strengths: -the best system of all times, specialy under mud -13º or 20º(no screws to setup) -at least 6 years of pleasure, light FR, lots of XC, enduro, muddy winter and my self(over 100kg) -if u want to different from other bikers
Weaknesses: -heavy(back in 2000) and extremely heavy today -clits not compatible with SPD pedals or any other system
Bottom Line:
I tottaly agree with previous reviewer, Time pedals are not so compatible with Sidi Action 2 SRS. I bought the shoes and pedals at the same time(in different stores)and only later i discovered the compatible problem.
This is from my Sidi Action 2 SRS review: "About the Time pedals, it will gently cut the removable sole when trying to put in/out your feet in the pedal, after that it will stabilize. There's no problem at all."
Action 2 SRS has a soft sole so it's relatively a small problem. All bike shoes are made for SPD use, not for other systems like Time, CrankBrothers, Northwave...
In the end this brand will improve your riding skills. If, for some reason, these pedals die , i'll buy TIME pedals again.
Strengths: super reliable, durable and easy to get in and out of
Weaknesses: relatively heavy, grooves developed in the shoe
Bottom Line:
So i have been reading all these positive reviews and i am surprised that noone mentions the problem that i have. After less then 2 years of use these pedals developed play with my SIDI shoes. Eventually i figured out that there were massive groves in the sole of the shoes which caused the play. Due to this wear the position of my foot is altered on the pedal increasing the q-factor and messing up my pedal stroke.
I could blame the shoe... but its SIDI and its hard for me to master the courage to blame $300 shoes. My brother is also having the exact same problem with his Northwaves anyway.
I would also recommend against the older versions of these(the ones i use) since they had round rails which potentially puts more pressure into the sole of your shoes. The newer ones have square rails so that the pressure is further distributed across the contact point. No doubt that Time made that change to address the problem i am having.
If you have expensive shoes that fit well and you plan on keeping them for few years dont buy these pedals.
Submitted by
Pablo
a Weekend Warrior
from Kernersville, NC
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2006
Strengths: Bought them new in 1996, to replace the crappy shimano's that came with my Y-22. What a difference. But, that is not why I'm writing this. To date, 10 years later, they still function like new!!! Never have been off the bike, and only cleaned and lubed them after say every ten rides or so...
Weaknesses: Maybe wgt, but hey, those lighter shimanos, were hell to get out of with any speck of mud!!! Light don't matter when you face down in the creek still attached to your bike!
Bottom Line:
I'm finally going to break down and build a couple of hardtail retro's. What pedals do you think I'm going to use? Maybe there is something better out there, but I'm not taking a risk.... Buy these used on ebay with confidence.... 10 years ladies and gents! Thats along time for any MTB component!!!!
Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006
Strengths: Can always easily 'find them' and clip in, even under the muddiest of conditions! They make a satisfying 'click' that you can hear and that is very assuring! They are easy to get out of in sketchy situations with a bigger platform than some other miniscule models I have seen (like eggbeaters, etc.)
Weaknesses: Maybe I am a cheap bugger, but $100 for a tiny little pedal? I guess some cost way more... They seem a little hefty, but perhaps that adds to their overall durability. If I was a true weight weenie, I would join Jenny Craig and quit drinking beer, so I can't really complain... (I just bought a new pair of Time Carbon ATAC's and they feel significantly lighter.) It would be nice to be able to easily open them up to clean and oil them effectively as mine have developed a bit of a squeak over three years... even with faithful external cleaning and dropping oil onto the exposed springs through the plastic cover. I did completely EXPLODE a pedal on Jumping Pound Ridge as I accidently clipped a rock at high speed... the thing completely disappeared! CRACK and goodbye. Nothing left sticking out of my crank arm. Needless to say, I didn't do the Cox Hill portion and dropped out onto the the Powderface gravel road as fast as I could. It made for a brutal finish of the ride as I was trying to (unsuccessfully) outrun a thundershower / hail / snow storm at altitude! Now I have an appreciation of how a one-legged rider must feel (Brent Wolfe.) Wow. It was tough going up and down!
Bottom Line:
Love the 'ol fatty TIME's. Very dependable and low maintenance, like a gal I once ... well I ain't gonna go there. Other than that 'explosion' ... (but odds are any pedal would have gone "t1ts up" as my Auntie Sharon says, under those same situations!) If you aren't a weight weenie and want a solid, dependable clipless pedal that is easy to learn on, I recommend them. Not as high-falutin' as some others, but cheaper than what I just spent on those sexy, svelte new Carbon's be-atches! ("TIME" will tell if I come to love the new Carbon's more though. LOL!) After a suitably long evaluation, I will do a post on them too.
Similar Products Used: As mentioned, I just bought a pair of Time Carbon's... feel lighter, the same great clipping in and out properties, look slimmer and sexier, plus the red / black colour scheme matches the rest of my FSA parts (how Poseur of me!) but too new to objectively report... And of course the old standard-issue platforms that everyone knows of.
Bike Setup: 2005 Turner Flux proto direct form Turner post-Interbike with FSA, SRAM, Magura, Rockshox and Maxxis bits.
Strengths: Easy to get in and out of and low maintenance
Weaknesses: make sure to put cleats on correct foot
Bottom Line:
Awesome pedals for the cash. Make sure to have the cleats on the correct foot or they are be-yotch to get out of, often resulting in skin-loss and extra doses of Vitamin I.
Similar Products Used: spez pedals, well-go (spd type)
Bike Setup: santa cruz superlight
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Submitted by
Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville,FL,usa
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2006
Strengths: Tough,easy in, easy out,reliable in all conditions,nice deg of float,positive engagement
Weaknesses: Ugly,bit fat
Bottom Line:
These have NEVER let me down,easy to get in/out. They have taken a beating in all conditions and still work great after 5+ years of solid riding. I tried some shimano m540 out of curiosity and they were useless in comparison to these.I will replacw the bearings soon and use them for a few more years .
Hey,
After searching and searching I think Im gonna go with TIME Atacs for my first pair of clipless pedals...but I dont know which ones to get. Most everything I do is trail r Read More »
Hey all,
Does anybody know if the Time ATAC XS pedal cleats work with the previous version of ATAC pedals?
I've got 3 bikes all using the older style pedals, and I need to r Read More »
Subject: The little 6-holed end caps on ATAC pedals.
I've had to tighten a few of these on Bikes I've worked on. I use a pair of atuomotive snap-ring pliers, and these work well Read More »
I bought a new pair of the alium atacs and put the bike on a indoor trainer and found it was really hard to unclip so I looked and found the treads on the shoe were in the way, tri Read More »
Hey guys-- looking for someone who might be able to help me. On a recent ride, I noticed one of the pedals moving slightly on the pedal shaft. I got off and noticed that the end ca Read More »
