Time ATACs - Are they a no-go now?

Hey peeps. I've just moved back to London after being out of the country for a solid 8 years, much of which haven't touched a bike for, especially fixed. I'm getting hold of a new one and am shopping for pedals. I always used and loved the Time ATAC XC pedals when working as a courier, and was just gonna get another pair of those, but I've heard elsewhere that they've gone to shite in these years and the new ones break super easily... and to only buy old aliums, etc.

Would love any up-to-date insights people might have on them / know what SPD pedals peeps are riding with these days?

Thanks!

Heard the same about the new pedals. I still ride ATACs, but I am slowly working my way through several older sets I have stashed away. M520 MTB pedals are cheap, reliable and in plentiful supply + cheap cleats also. I'd go with those. Or... (shock, horror) flats and straps.

I used to ride Look Race Track Xs and they were really good!

New ones are total shite.

Thanks, peeps. So sad to know they've gone downhill.

I saw the M520's recc'd elsewhere as a good alternative these days, so I think I'll take a step up to the M540's, given the marginal price difference. Cheers! Appreciate it.

I broke two pairs of ATAC Speciale 8 in the last page of this thread alone! After at least 6 pairs of prematurely broken atacs I've switched to Hope pedals, despite using atacs for about 25 years.
It's the second time I tried Hopes...the first time I thought they were giving me knee pain, but it turned out to be something else. I use the Trail version of their Union pedal.
It's also nice to have the cleats last longer than the couple of months I was getting out of atacs shitty brass cleats.
Atacs still 'feel' the best for engagement, but I'll be fucked if they're getting any more of my money now.

I've got a pair of Time Atac Roc that I could let go if that would work for you? They're good pedals but I've since switched to SPDs on my other bikes after the Atac compatible Looks died. It's a pain in the arse using 2 different types of cleats and 2 pairs of shoes or I'd keep them! Would do a straight swap for any old SPD pedals in working condition. Either that or a little bit of cash to go towards some.

Damn, that's crazy! They used to be so good...

Thanks! Already ordered a pair of M540's :)

I've still got some ATACs. In fact, I've still got the Dominators (forum chic) I used with them. But since going to midfoot in 2011 they're not much use.

I'll swap you for some SPDs if you're up for it?? I'm stuck on the ATACs and could do with any I can get...

Happy to help you out too @hippy ;)

Just bought a new set of XC8’s, guess I’ll keep an eye on them

No problems with some XC6 that I got 2 years ago

I should move them on. I was going to try out going back to SPDs for off-road but I think I'll just stick with flats. So, with that in mind I probably have a pair of shoes and some ATAC pedals and maybe some spare cleats for sells. I'll see if the grrl can dig them out and I'll post

I don't want to jinx it but I've got a pair of XC 6's that I've been using for 4 years and apart from the tensioning screw getting stripped (made of cheese) they've been sound. Ok they've not seen moon mileage but I have used them a fair bit across short bikepacking trips, some commuting and Audax. In fact I bought another pair a few months back... fingers crossed!

I probably have some basic ATACs somewhere too. I just use flats now and don't see myself going back so will try to dig them out and post here.

DM me if you're selling and I can collect... I have a couple of new sets that seem fine after a year or two, but another that had one of the rails bend in the first week.

Yeah I'm up for that! Shoot me a message and we can figure it out.

I just had a look in my pedal drawer and have a set of the nicer, grey Time Atac Roc pedals, one set of used cleats that must've come off the Dominators and one set of BNIB cleats.

no failure with current time atac xc 5 or 6 yet, but have collected some 2nd hand time atac alium (those with round klick mechanism) which are heavy but run smooth as butter.

Ive got ATAC 5 6, and 8 on various bikes currently and have had a good experience with all, the cleats wear out quite quickly but the pedals are sold and reliable IME.

Anyone still looking for ATACs? @Juicy8 ?

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I've had xc8s on my fixed and xc2s (all the new square bar type) on my gravel bike for about 4 or 5 years with no issues. Mileage isn't anywhere near BRPs and I can tell they're not going to last forever but they've been fine.
I like the feel of times, I went from look > shimano > time xpresso 4 on my road bike also.
But yeah, if you're not a princess and the pea type like I am, shimano seem way more solid.

I have the retro ATACs on a couple of bike and they all have a plastic on plastic creak, anyone know the best thing to lubricate that with the make them shut the fuck up?

I “oil” mine with silicone oil and works great.

I might be interested if still available. How much you look for?