Product Test: Time ATAC XC 8 Carbon Pedals
Performance platform: The ATAC XC 8 Carbon pedals offer a substantial platform area in the shoe-to-pedal contact area without being so big that they tag everything along the trail. Months into our testing, the sides were still in great shape.
The $224.95 Time ATAC XC 8Carbon pedals were designed by the French company to provide maximum power transfer from the rider’s leg to the pedal.
Tech features:
ATAC XC 8 Carbon pedals are the second from the top in the ATAC pedal line (the 12 Titan has titanium spindles instead of steel). They offer a carbon fiber body, steel axles and Time’s Auto Tension Adjustment Concept (ATAC) technology. They have stainless-steel, molded dual arches and a measure of float designed into them (angular freedom of plus or minus 5 degrees and lateral movement of up to 6 millimeters). Our pedals weighed 5 ounces each, which is the claimed weight of the pedal. With the cleat and mounting hardware, they weighed 5.8 ounces each. The metal box that the pedals are delivered in is a classy touch.
Field Test Results:
We used Sidi Spider shoes and they mated perfectly to the pedals. We mounted the pedals on a number of different cranks, but for the majority of our testing, we used SRAM XX1 cranks.
Every pedal requires a different technique for cleat engagement. We are not talking about the friction nec- essary to clip in or out, but the actual motion needed to engage. The XC 8 pedal requires a toe-down-and-forward-push motion to engage, and there is an audible click to let you know you are strapped in. The engagement pressure is adjustable.
The XC 8 offers a substantial pedal platform. Even if you don’t clip in immediately, there is plenty of plat- form to allow you a few pedal rota- tions before engaging (a great feature when trying to get started on the side of a hill). Once you are clipped in, that platform continues to deliver with a solid base for your shoe’s sole to mesh with. You will not feel outward flex. The pedal incorporates cleat float, and if you are not condi- tioned to it, it may take a few rides to adapt. For riders who suffer knee soreness, this float could be the answer.
The release sequence requires a good twist of the foot. If you have ever suffered an unplanned release, you will love the security of this pedal. It is not too hard of a release for a trail rider, but we wouldn’t recommend it to a beginner. This pedal is designed for a rider familiar with clip- less pedal systems.
One other plus was pedal clearance. The pedals don’t look all that narrow from the side, but after months of riding, we noticed we were not striking rocks as often as with other pedals, and a close inspection of the pedals revealed almost no scuffs from impacts.
The Time ATAC XC 8 Carbon is a serious pedal for the serious trail rider or cross-country racer looking for great power delivery, awesome clearance and a secure cleat-retention system.
