Time has come out with a new set of mountain bike pedals for 2011, the X-Roc S, with a stable platform for aggressive riders. The X-Roc is slightly smaller that the Z-Control pedals I tested a couple years ago but that’s not to say they’re any less capable.

Unlike the Z-Control pedals, the X-Rocs feature a composite body designed with stainless steel plates to protect the important bits and to provide an area to limit wear. The body is also designed with integrated teeth to better grip the pedals when you’re un-clipped. And when the weather takes a turn for the worse, ample ports in the pedal allow crud to flow out, reducing the chances of clogging the cleat area and possibly preventing you from clipping in.

When you’re clipped in you have about 6mm of lateral float and ±5° degrees of adjustable angular float. Depending on how you set the cleats you could have either a 13° degree or 18° degree release angle. A total weight of 422 grams is reasonable for a pedal that comes with a full length chromed steel axle, composite body, and the clipless mechanism.

Installing the X-Rocs on my AM / trail bike I found that these pedals offer a real improvement over the Z-Control pedals. The X-Roc pedals feature the same reliable clip in feeling as the ATAC XS but it was much easier to find the pedal with my foot after popping out. Adjusting the tension is easy with a standard screwdriver through a port on the side of the pedal. There are a few tension settings to allow you to tune the tension for your particular style of riding. I tend to run mine second from soft.

I ran the X-Roc pedals on my DH bike to see how they felt with the Mavic Alpine XL shoes and I gotta say they worked well and held on tight. I was afraid some of the larger rock gardens would wreak havoc on the composite pedal body but after more than a few hits, everything still works just fine.

For about $135 you get everything in a neat package with cleats and pedals. The instructions are easy enough to follow and will take about 20 minutes to get them on your bike and cleats on your shoes. If you are replacing existing cleats, do yourself a favor and clean the old screw holes very well and use some penetrating oil to loosen up the old hardware. You may want to even consider leaving the penetrating oil overnight.

I would like to thank the folks at Time for sending down the X-ROC S pedals for review.

If you’re like me, you want reliable, high quality mountain bike gear that will last season after season. Case in point: I wore the same pair of mountain bike shoes for 7 years straight and probably notched 120 different trails in them. Of course the last year or two wasn’t pretty – stripped and rusted cleat threads, frozen insoles, and half a kilo of ground-in trail dirt – but you get the point. So when it came time to replace the old kicks I wanted to make a solid investment in a high performance shoe and I found the 2010 Time MXS Carbon shoe fit the bill to a tee.

Fit and comfort

One of the reasons I put off buying new mountain bike shoes was because I have a bit of a foot problem: wide feet. Cycling shoes are often more narrow than regular shoes and to add insult to injury, few manufacturers offer EE widths. Fortunately the new Time MXS Carbon shoes are thermoformable which allowed me to mold the shoes to my exact foot shape. The thermo shaping procedure is simple and you can do it at home with a hairdryer (ask your wife or girlfriend how to use it if you’re unsure ).

The velcro straps and adjustable buckle on the Time MXS Carbon shoes allow you to customize the fit even further and I found that leaving the bottom velcro strap a tad loose relieved almost all the pressure caused by my wide feet. The real star here is the adjustable buckle closure that allows you to ratchet the upper part of the shoe tightly to reduce slippage. In fact, I’ll never buy another pair of mountain bike shoes without a ratcheting buckle again – it’s that important and improves pedaling efficiency and comfort dramatically.

Many high end mountain bike shoes are made from leather but the fact is that leather just isn’t very breathable, especially when it’s wet. The Time MXS Carbon shoes feature mesh on top of the toe box and along the sides for maximum ventilation, minimizing sweaty feet on the trail. Inside, the padded tongue and soft insole make this shoe feel as comfy as a plush house slipper.

Trail performance

The Time MXS Carbon shoe is compatible with all pedal types and during my testing I had no problems with Crankbrothers or SPD cleats. Racers will especially appreciate the replaceable toe spikes and lightweight carbon construction. Walking in these shoes isn’t too bad thanks to the continuous tread pattern surrounding the cleat recess. Extra deep tread on the heel and toe helps you get up sloppy slopes when you need it the most (’cause if your bike tires could grip the ground you wouldn’t be walking). The stiff soles are ultra-efficient at transferring power to the pedals – just don’t expect to do any trail running in these shoes in the middle of your ride.

Some riders may be put off by the gloss black finish on the Time MXS Carbon shoes and I have to admit I was a little unsure about the look myself. It’s a style you’ll either love or hate but you can’t argue with the fact that mud slides right off these shoes like butter on a hot frying pan. These shoes also seem to be sealed pretty well and the first time I stepped into a deep creek crossing I thought for a moment that they might be waterproof. After about a 3 second delay I could feel the cold water seeping in but the upshot is that general trail wetness, short of full-on immersion, won’t leave your feet soaking wet.

After hundreds of miles in these shoes I’ve discovered another undocumented feature: odor protection. Despite walking through some pretty putrid mud and having gallons of sweat drip down my legs, somehow these shoes still smell brand new. The ventilated mesh certainly helps as does the tight enclosure which keeps crud out. My mountain bike shoes are no longer the smelliest shoes in the house – running shoes, welcome to the top of the heap!

Summary

The Time MXS Carbon mountain bike shoe is a great investment in comfort and performance that will last for years to come. The unique Thermo Shape membrane allows you to get the perfect fit at home and you’ll love the efficiency you’ll get from the stiff soles and tight enclosure. And even if you do find yourself off the bike every now and then you’ll love the aggressive tread pattern that stabs through the muddiest terrain. Perhaps the only drawback to this shoe is its price but remember, the piece of gear will pay dividends for years to come. Now is the Time for the MXS Carbon.

Thanks to the folks at Time for providing the MXS Carbon MTB shoes for review.

Ever since I started riding with clipless mountain bike pedals I’ve stuck with the basic Shimano pedal system. Sure, over the years I’ve upgraded pedals and tried other Shimano-compatible brands but I’ve always been a little hesitant to try a completely new system because I falsely assumed I’d might have to relearn how to clip and unclip all over again. Then, a couple months ago, I got a chance to give the Time ATAC XS pedals a try and I finally got to see what I’ve been missing all these years.

Pedal Features

At 350g the Time ATAC XS pedals are slightly lighter than my Shimano M540 pedals which puts them solidly in the mid-weight range for mountain bike pedals. The composite body is super durable, low maintenance, and even rust-proof which is good news for those of us who encounter plenty of stream crossings. The bearings are also waterproof so these pedals will keep spinning smoothly and consistently no matter how much wet stuff you throw at them. Looking at the composite body from the front of the bike you can see it cuts an aerodynamic shape which is a detail most other pedals leave out.

The Time ATAC XS pedals also feature 3 adjustable release-tension settings from low to high which makes it simple to choose the right amount of tension for your riding style. No more futzing with an an adjustable screw wondering how many turns you should put in to get the tension right – in my book simple is always better. You can also choose a 13- or 17-degree pedal release angle depending on the way you install your shoe cleats. The wider 17-degree setting is perfect for more experienced riders who want to avoid inadvertent releases on tricky tech sections. And anyone who has ever had to remove stuck pedals will be happy to know these pedals feature both wrench flats and allen key holes on the spindles for multiple install/removal options.

Performance

Right away I noticed the Time ATAC XS pedals give a very smooth, consistent and solid entry and release. Compared to the Shimano pedals I’ve been using, I could actually feel a satisfying click on my foot rather than just hearing it. The pedal body is also wide enough that it’s easy to find the pedals without looking down and even provides a fairly comfortable platform for short rides without cleats. Time claims “you can step into a Time ATAC pedal faster than into any other” which sounds about right to me – clipping in and out is super quick and easy. Best of all, the cleats are SPD-compatible so your shoes are probably all ready to go!

The Time ATAC XS pedals feature 5 degrees of radial float and 3mm of side-to-side float which is meant to reduce knee and joint tension on epic rides. Radial float is basically the twisting range of motion your foot is allowed before it begins to encounter pedal release tension. Side-to-side float is less commonly referred to but it’s pretty self-explanatory – it’s the distance your cleat can move from side-to-side within the pedal mechanism. On the trail I found the float (both radial and side-to-side) felt great and allowed me to swing my knees and legs in and out more easily for balance on tricky sections than pedals with less float.

At first glance I assumed these pedals would be so-so in terms of mud shedding ability but I was pleasantly surprised out on the trail. Down here in Georgia we have plenty of mud but it’s probably better described as clay and it sticks to EVERYTHING. Despite several rides on tacky to downright muddy, un-maintained trails, the ATAC XS pedals didn’t jam up once. Chalk it up to an insanely simple design that doesn’t leave anywhere for mud to hide and you get a perfect clip-in every time.

After reviewing some high-res photos of the pedals I did notice some minor dings and scratches on the pedal body caused by normal wear and tear. So if you’re into ultra-pristine looking gear and can’t stand the sight of  blemishes on your pedals, you may want to consider another pedal set. You may also want to consider wrapping your frame in Bike Armor stickers too.

The Verdict

After a few rides with the Time ATAC XS mountain bike pedals I was convinced these were the pedals for me. With solid construction, smooth and comfortable performance, and impressive gunk clearing capabilities, these pedals should be on any serious XC rider’s radar. And if 350g sounds too heavy for you, check out the ATAC XS Carbon or Titan Carbon for an even lighter-weight platform. Give Time pedals a try and you’ll see the difference!

Thanks to the folks at Time for providing the ATAC XS pedals for review.

Back in September I got a chance to preview MTB pedals and shoes from Time and I was curious to see how they performed on the trail. The Time Z-Control pedals ($125 MSRP) are designed for freeride/DH/BMX and are so named for their Z-shaped side profile. I soon found out these are versatile pedals that can stand up to serious abuse!

The Z-Control features an aluminum body with machined surfaces for a slight weight reduction (525 grams per pair). The Z-Control pedals also come with a chromed steel axle to prevent corrosion and are tough enough to stand up to the abuse of free riding and shuttle running. To keep things running smoothly the Z-Control sports a bushing as well as a single bearing up front. Everything is well sealed to keep the dirt out which ensures these pedals will last.

The cleats on the Control-Z pedals look very similar to those found on CrankBrothers eggbeaters and like the eggbeaters you have a choice between setting a 13 or 17 degree pedal release angle. This is accomplished by choosing how you install the cleats (see instruction sheet for further installation info). I tested the bike with both settings and even though I’ve been riding for a very long time and consider myself an expert, I still chose the tighter 13 degree release angle. For me the 17 degree option was too much and made it more difficult to remove my feet from the pedals.

The Time Control-Z cleats are 100% compatible with any cleated MTB shoe so there’s no need to invest in a new set of kicks. These pedals also boast an oversized platform that Time claims will improve power transfer but I didn’t really experience that myself. The oversized platform did make it easier to catch the pedal when clipping in which is definitely a plus in freeride / DH situations.

Riding along the trails with the Time Z-Control I have to say that these pedals are tough. Despite hitting large rocks that would shatter the casing of lesser pedals, the Z-Controls held up just fine. Since these pedals are solid aluminum they did show some signs of abuse but they continued to function like new (though I did get a few small dings and scratches).

In muddy conditions the Z-Control pedals worked about the same as they did when they were clean, though getting clipped in took a bit of getting used to. I’ve been riding another brand of pedals for a long time and I’m used to clicking in a certain way. Once I was comfortable with the motion it still seemed to take a little bit more effort to lock into the Z-Contorls than with other pedals I’ve tried.

The float on the Time Z-Control pedals is a nice touch which allowed me to swerve a bit on the bike and slightly pivot on the pedals without inadvertently releasing my feet. The ability to swivel comes in handy when navigating tricky rock gardens and allows the rider greater body motion for threading tight lines along the trail.

Overall the Time Z-Control pedals work well, won’t clog up with mud and dirt, are adjustable, and can take a beating on the trail. These pedals offer a great value for the money, especially for those who like a larger platform clip-in pedal system.

Specs from Time:

Chrome-plated steel axle
Surface coated aluminum body
SELF-CLEANING  – RELIABILITY
EASY ENTRY
ANGULAR FLOAT: ±5°
LATERAL FLOAT: 6 MM
Weight: 525 g per pair

Thanks to the folks at Time  for providing these pedals for review.

This morning element22 and I got a chance to speak with the folks at Time and saw some pretty cool mountain bike shoes and pedals.

The MXS Carbon shoe features a thermoformable external membrane that allows you to get a custom fit for your foot shape. The cool thing? You can mold the shoe yourself at home using a hair dryer! We’re told the toe box is a touch wider and taller than a typical MTB shoe which is good news for my 2E brothers and sisters.

The Titan Carbon pedal is super lightweight and offers 5 degrees of angular float plus 5mm of lateral float. With a titanium axle and carbon reinforced body these pedals tip the scales at just 290 grams per pair. The pedals claim to be “self-cleaning” so mud jamming shouldn’t be an issue, though the real test is to see how they perform in tacky Georgia red clay.

For the freeride/DH crowd, Time offers the Z pedal, a lightweight platform pedal with a steel axle and aluminum body. Just like the Titan Carbon you get 5 degrees of angular float and the same self-cleaning design. At 530 grams per pair these pedals feel much lighter than they look.

Mountain bikers may not be super familiar with Time but these pedals and shoes are definitely worth a look as a lightweight, high performance alternative to the SPD/Crankbrothers duopoly.