ATAC pedals are truly a classic. Time continues the tradition
with the Alium for 2004, a budget-minded system that offers the same ATAC easy
entry and exit and biomechanical float and rotation as top-end Time products.
Submitted by
jsassenberger
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta, GA 30064 Date Reviewed: November 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Blankets Creek
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Do what you expect from a Cross Country pedal, easy in , easy out. Never let me down.. ever.
Weaknesses:
Weight..
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Trek Top Fuel 69er
Bottom Line:
These are great pedals, bought mine used, put lots of hard miles on em... and they just work perfectly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fintopaz
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh PA, US Date Reviewed: September 7, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
These pedals work well no matter what. Durable and super easy to use. can't get enough mud in them to stop functionality.
Weaknesses:
none really. I guess the aliums are a bit heavy.
Similar Products Used:
nashbar road pedal and spd
Bottom Line:
I bought these pedals because of the degrees of float advertised. I have bad knees and these never give me a problem on long hilly rides. I would never buy another type of mountain pedal. These have been smashed off rocks and clogged with dirt, small stones, leaves, snow ans small twigs and never stopped working. I have had so much mud on my shoes that it seemed stupid to try and clip in but with a little extra force they locked right in and clipped out with ease. I would strongly recommend these to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
KEVIN C
a Cross Country Rider
from Old Orchard Beach, ME Date Reviewed: August 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Eastern Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Ruggedly built, Secure Pedaling, Low Price, Super easy to clip in and unclip out.
Weaknesses:
They are built stout, so they come with a little more mass.
Similar Products Used:
None, first set of clipless pedals
Bike Setup:
Diamond Back Overdrive 29er
Bottom Line:
These are one of the best purchases I ever made for my bike. New to clipless as I post this, but I have never felt more comfortable using clipless pedals. No problems clipping in or unclipping at all. These are built to last, and they clip in securely. Just awesome all around.
I love 'em!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smokey422
a Cross Country Rider
from gilliam, MO USA Date Reviewed: June 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lahdahl, Rock Bridge State Park
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Great performance in muddy and mucky conditions, easy exit and entry after modifications (see below).
Weaknesses:
Difficult release with stock cleat (cost me a broken ankle).
Similar Products Used:
Shimano and Dirtwerkes SPDs, Crank Brothers (the worst, not recommended).
Bike Setup:
Fisher HT, Thudbuster, Sram 9.0 SL, Mustang rims on XT hubs, modified Time pedals.
Bottom Line:
I was not a rookie when I purchased these pedals from Speedgoat, but stil found myself getting hung up in them occasionally. One of these hang-ups on a rutted downhill cost me a broken ankle. I took a look at the cleats and ground more material off, making entry and exit easier. Now they worked as designed and I didn't have to enter technical sections wondering if I would get hung up. Since then they have become my favorite pedals. If you're having problems with yours, new cleats are cheaper than broken ankles! Four stars for value and overall because of the need to modify them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J.S.T
a Cross Country Rider
from Quebec Date Reviewed: June 8, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
The float when you are cliped in.
Works well in mud conditions.
Maintenance free.
Tough.
Weaknesses:
Weight...for those who care.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano SPD 515
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS, full xt.
Bottom Line:
I like really technical trails and I ride in humid conditions, so both easyness of cliping in and out and tolerance to mud are majors facteurs and these pedals really delivers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jacko82
a Cross Country Rider
from York Date Reviewed: May 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Dolby, The lakes
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$48.00
Purchased At:
Merlin Cycles
Strengths:
Will take all the bashing in the world, easy to clip in/out even in thick gloop!
Weaknesses:
None, possibly the weight?????? just buy the XS or carbon version.
These pedals will take anything, they have been bashed about and still work perfectly. Havent really needed a full service the odd spray. The weight may be an issue but that doesnt bother me, you are taking Grams?! Way better than Shimano!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nick314
a Cross Country Rider
from Annapolis Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
whatever i can get
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
no maintenance whatsoever
probably indestructible
works in muddy conditions
dependable
Weaknesses:
weight for some people, i never cared
when youre cleats get completely clogged with mud, its harder to clip in
i had no problems with these, very dependable and will survive anything
if you buy it, give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the pedals, since its hard to get out of them at first, i almost got ran over by the ups van for this reason, but its all good
great overall pedal and value, i recommend it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
verslowrdr
a Cross Country Rider
from central WA Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
- can just stand on 'em with soft shoes not clipped in
- works even when shoes are covered in ice/mud/crud
- doesn't cut your leg in half if you bash your shin
- kind to my achy knees
- DURABILITY DURABILITY DURABILITY!
Weaknesses:
weight? if you're into that...
Similar Products Used:
First clipless pedal, now propagated to all bikes in our stable
Bottom Line:
I bought my first pair in 2001, then when I got a new MTB in '04 I just moved the same pedals on the new ride.
*** I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF MILES THESE PEDALS HAVE, or how many rocks/trees/curbs I've bashed with them.
*** I've NEVER done any maintenance to them. NONE.
These may not be the lightest pedals out there, but given the abuse mine have taken for the service they've provided for the price... dang. I think they've honestly earned 10 flamin' chilis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LT
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX, USA Date Reviewed: March 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Hill Ranch
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Reliable, No maintenance, easy engage and disengage, works pretty well in the mud, smooth action
Weaknesses:
Weight? (if you care), no tension adjustment
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey, Shimano, Crankbrothers, good old fashioned toe clips and straps!? Power Strap...I've tried it all over the years
Bottom Line:
Great pedal for the price. I've beat on them for 2 years and never had to touch them for maitenance, greasing, etc. Very Easy to get in and out of the pedals with no learning curve. Always kept my shoes engaged when needed and gives good solid feel when cranking. Also, I'm on the heavier side (220 with gear); the pedals have never failed. My only complaint was that once dirty, the cages and platform "creak" against the bottom the shoe. Especially going up hill. No big deal but kinda embarrasing when everyone else's bikes are quitely cranking next to you. Overall a great pedal and would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy, durable and reliable pedal. May not be the pedal for XC racing. Value rating is the highest, while the overall rating takes a hit for lack of adjustability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AwP
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville Date Reviewed: February 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Ridgeline, DuPont
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Durable. Hands down.
I can't break them.
Moderately high spring tension when new. Feel stable knowing you won't fly out of them during a series.
Affordable.
Weaknesses:
Heavy. Brick-like. Unlike higher quality Time mtb pedals.
In muddy situations, they become very clogged and engaging becomes very difficult.
No spring adjustment, which would be useful as they wear down over the years.
Similar Products Used:
Crank Brothers Eggbeater C.
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC. X-9 d-train. BB7's. Mavic Crosslands.
Bottom Line:
Need a pedal that can survive a train wreck during a nuclear explosion? Buy.
Need light, xc pedal? Go with Time Atac XS Carbon. Lighter with spring adjustment. Or Crank Brothers Eggbeater Ti.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
formulaone33
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL USA Date Reviewed: January 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Everything at Santos Trails in Ocala, FL
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
These pedals are simple, secure and absolutly reliable. Clipping in and out is the same whether your shoes/cleats are clean or muddy.
Weaknesses:
They are a little heavy compared to stuff from Crank Bros. but not much heavier at all than Shimano pedals
Similar Products Used:
Onza Clipless, Shimano SPD-535 and SPD-747
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper HT, Rock Shocks Judy C, Shiamno XT and LX parts.
Bottom Line:
I have been using Shimano pedals for years and I wanted to try something new. My wife's Jamis came with a set of these and she really like them so I tried then out. These are great pedals! They have a nice degree of float to them so they are very knee friendly. They are very easy to clip into and feel very stable once clipped in. The best feature of these pedals is their mud performance. They work the same no matter how clogged up your shoes get. Oh, and they are VERY inexpensive!
The guy below with the negative review has to be new to clipless pedals becuase these pedals are very easy to get in and out of.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pathfinder
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT USA Date Reviewed: January 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
sawmill -spring loop
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came with bike/ Big
Strengths:
solid platform feel, you'll never come out of these by mistake, float
Weaknesses:
too hard to get in and out of
Similar Products Used:
Scott SPD clipless (I with I could get some more of these)
Bike Setup:
2005 Giant Trance 2 stock (just an awesome bike!)
Bottom Line:
I was pretty excited to get these pedals with the bike because I had heard good things about Time pedals in general. I was worried about the lack of adjustability, but hoped the release tension would feel alright, but it never did. The release tension always has felt too tight, way too hard to get out of in a pinch. The Scott pedals I have on another hardtail on the other hand are adjustable and have always been really easy to get in and out of without having to think about it. Additionally I could never just step into these pedals, it wasn't that the tension was too high, but it was really hard to get the cleat lined up just right. I suppose it could be the shoes I wear, when I put the scott pedals on my Giant there were no problems. Shopping for new pedals as I write! I would not recommend these to riders new to clipless, but I would recommend them to someone who likes that locked in feel and doesn't need to dab a foot or need a release unexpedtedly. 3 chilis for value, they're very dependable 2 chilis overall---they're just too hard to get in and out of.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
schmitty8225
a Cross Country Rider
from Oviedo Fl Date Reviewed: January 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Santos
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Aluminum, easy clip in and out
Weaknesses:
Heavy
Similar Products Used:
None
Bottom Line:
I just set these up on my bike. I sprayed some WD 40 on them to make them easy to brake in and I can clip in and out with ease. I have no idea why the previous guy had so much trouble with it. Possibly installed the cleats backwards so they have to be turned more to get out of them. I haven't done any trail riding yet with them but around in a dirt parking lot it was easy to get in and out of.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tdeems
a Weekend Warrior
from Little Rock, AR Date Reviewed: January 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Camp Robinson
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Strong and Cheap but nothing else!
Weaknesses:
Paint wears off after 3-4 rides, cleats leave large divots in shoes, heavy, hard to get into, impossible to get out of quickly, no adjustability
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M540
Bike Setup:
2004 Giant Trance 3
Bottom Line:
I bought these because I wanted to switch from platform to clipless and they were cheap and looked like a good pedal. They took a lot of practice to get into, you have to hook the front of the cleat and then push down to get in and then rotate your foot away from the bike to get out. When going down a trail this is a lot to think about when you should be focused on riding and having fun. If you ever start falling, loose traction, get stuck, etc., GOOD LUCK UNCLIPPING! I have fallen countless times at the top of too steep hills and through rock gardens because I can't come unclipped to catch myself with my legs. I've even fallen just coming to a stop and can't get out of my pedals (very humiliating). I am now sitting at home typing this review with a sprained wrist from catching about 10 falls with my hands and shoulders on yesterday's ride because I could not get unclipped. I thought the pedals would break in and I would get used to it but that hasn't happened. I tried my friend's Shimano SPDs and realized how good clipless pedals can be. With the SPDs you can just stomp down and you will be clipped in, requiring no focus away from riding. To unclip just turn/jerk/pull your feet any direction and you're unclipped and safe. I just ordered the Shimano M520s and can't wait to get on the trail again, after my wrist heals.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
VeloRace
a Racer
from Atl. GA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Chicopee
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Clip-in, pedal, jump, hang-on, pedal, clip-out. No problems.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Shimano 747, Onza - both of these I've pulled out of unexpectedly.
Bike Setup:
Just got a Felt 2Niner Comp that I'm tweaking, and bought a 2nd pair for this bike!
Bottom Line:
I have never had any trouble with these pedals in any conditions. Worst case, I may have clicked my foot to drop some dirt, but then clipped right in.
A great Value for the money!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bonin_in_the_boneyard
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA Date Reviewed: November 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Pretty much all of NorCal rocks
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Reliable, no surprise click-outs. No adjustments. They work perfectly right out of the box, and continue working forever. They're also completely indestructible from what I can tell. And because of the nature of the system the cleats barely wear down, either.
Similar Products Used:
SPDs.
Bike Setup:
Right now I have these on my Gary Fisher 29'er AND my Lemond 'cross bike. But I used to have a pair each on my Stumpjumper, Fuel 90, and Allez.
Bottom Line:
There must be something wrong. NONE of the Time pedals have ratings here even though they're pretty much the greatest ATB pedals ever, at least for XC. I like them so much I have them on my road bikes just for consistency.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 45.95
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
