Review: Crank Brothers Eggbeater 3 pedals

My first comment on these pedals will be this: when considering buying, borrow a mates bike with them equipped, and take it for a proper ride on your local trails. I believe the experience from these pedals in a carpark to be astonishingly negative: floaty, slightly loose feeling etc, especially coming from Shimano spd's. However, once on the trail, these pedals feel like somewhere between flats and clips; you can move your feet to a better angle for cornering and technical descents, but hit the fire road or steep climb and you have the extra power in your stroke only cleats can deliver. However, with their small platform, I would recommend some stiff shoes to avoid the "ball of ice" feeling some riders experience, or buying the slightly wider Candy pedals.

One of the attributes I have been told the Eggbeaters posses is excellent mud clearing ability, I completely agree. After riding these at a muddy, sticky Moonride I am convinced that this is the case; the Eggbeaters gave me no trouble. Also, I like how can clip in from all sides, so you don't have to align them horizontally before clipping in like with other designs.

So, the Eggbeaters offer a nice feel, are convenient to use, and at 278g pretty damn light too. However, they will set you back $200, but bear in mind this is the same as Shimano XT, is lighter and looks cooler in all it's anodised glory.

However, be wary dear buyer. I have had my pair of these seize during the time I have had them; it seems all Crankbrothers products with movable parts do this at some point or another. This bearing seizure can be repaired, as the pedals are rebuildable, however if yours seize the way mine did they do some damage to the pedal. This is bearable the first time as you can just change the bearings, but after the second time you will need to buy new pedals.

Cat Eye Moonride 2012

For those unfamiliar with this event, the Cat Eye Moonride is a team relay (or solo if you are crazy enough...) with options of 6, 12 or 24 hour events.

Departing from the usual venue of Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest, this years event was held at Tui Ridge Park, located just outside of Rotorua. For many competitors (especially the 24 hour competitors) this was a blessing with options other than tents for accommodation if you wanted to stay at the course, as well as other commodities such as flushing toilets and.... Hot Showers!

Unfortunately, New Zealand's unpredictable weather meant rain the entire week before this event. This was to have a profound effect on the course as we competitors soon found out. As soon as you turned into the single track and pointed your bike up one of the climbs, the slippery mud (courtesy of our lovely local weather) began a fight with your rear wheel for traction. It was not uncommon to see elite level riders with bikes over their shoulders jogging up the hills, having found it faster to run than try and find traction on the slippery surface. However, although the mud made the uphill a battle, the downhill was fast and freaky, sliding all over the place but never truly losing traction. This made for a few wide grins and some relief from the uphill slogging that inevitably followed.

One thing I believe is worth mentioning is the new timing system. Instead of ankle mounted antiquities that looked like relics from the cold war, event promotions have started using timing chips taped to the back of the numberplate allocated to each team, which at the end of each lap was slipped out it's plastic sleeve and onto the next rider's bike. Not only were transitions faster, but there were far less cases of laps not being recorded. Well done event promotions.

Events like the Moonride are also about having fun...

Results time:
After a hard fought race in a tight category, my team mates and I ( team name DOC Ginger Nuts, despite none of us being Ginger?!) emerged victorious in under 17's by over a lap, with yours truly completing the final lap. The cherry on the cake for us was one of my team mates winning the major spot prize, a Scott Scale 60 (2nd year a JAFAKID has won the major spot prize...). Team JAFAKIDS camel ears, a competing JAFAKIDS team, was also present on the podium, taking out a hard fought 3rd in the same category.

Thank you to everyone who helped with this event, I am looking forward to next year....