The Crankbrother Pedal Thread

[beanbag]

I was planning on buying some Crank Brothers Mallet 2's, however on the website I came across the Candy SL pedals which also look pretty good.

Both are obviously good bits of kit, but which ones would be most suitable for serious XC / All Mountain trail riding?

Any chaps here use them?

[neil_bolton]

I don't use them, but the only thing I always hear about their pedals is the awful awful bearing reliability.

With Shimano SPD's you'll never get any bearing issues. Simply fit and forget - for years.

[rhinochopig]

neil_bolton said:

I don't use them, but the only thing I always hear about their pedals is the awful awful bearing reliability.

With Shimano SPD's you'll never get any bearing issues. Simply fit and forget - for years.

Pretty much sums up my experience. XTR pedals, whilst not the lightest of kit, just work - well - and last for ever. Crank brother are great if you live in a dry climate (i.e. not the UK).

[lingus75]

Another vote for SPD's, fitted the really cheap ones to my commuter about 5 years ago and still perfect.

[Henry Hawthorne]

I have some 30 quid SPDs, and they've worked fine for me for about 4 years now.

[Steve UK]

neil_bolton said:

I don't use them, but the only thing I always hear about their pedals is the awful awful bearing reliability.

With Shimano SPD's you'll never get any bearing issues. Simply fit and forget - for years.

I bought some of the candy things, awful bearings loads of play I stripped them before using them regreased and rebuilt them then sold them on I was so unimpressed.

I use Time Z Freerides, a little heavy but fantastic, 1 pair I have been using for 6 years and recently bought another pair to standardise my pedals on my commencals.

Try to get pedals with cartridge bearings for use in this country

Steve

[littleandy0410]

I've got Candy Bros Smarty pedals on my road bike. Had them on my mountain bike too, but found clipping in a real pain when on technical climbs etc, plus had a few "spd" moments where I've been unable to unclip and toppled over sideways. Never had that problem with my Shimano SPD M520s, which I stupidly gave away to my bro!

I'd go for Wellgo MG1s if you want some flat platform pedals (lighter and cheaper than V12s), or shimano spds if you want clip in.

[smack]

neil_bolton said:

I don't use them, but the only thing I always hear about their pedals is the awful awful bearing reliability.

With Shimano SPD's you'll never get any bearing issues. Simply fit and forget - for years.

Awful bearing reliability

One of my mates runs them on 3 bikes, and the amount of times they have died is ridiculous.... But he just will not bite the bullet and replace the lot of them. Oh well.

I've been running Shimano M959's for 6 years - havne't had a single problem with them, and haven't had to do anything to them.

[Big Bob]

As above. Ive got a set of Acid with mullered bearings, worked out cheaper to buy a pair of cheap SPD's than buy the bearing kit for the Crank Bros.

[smack]

Forgot to add, check here:

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/pedal/PLS_135cr...

Ignore the reviews that start "I just put these on last weekend.....", or by spotty teenagers, and look for ones that people have had the items for a reasonable amount of time and added some meaningful information.

[beanbag]

OK, well it seems thanks Crank Brothers are not so good. Even my bro-in-law who raved about them has ditched them for another pedal. Didn't find out which though....

After a little reading, I've narrowed down to the following choices but I'm not sure which is most appropriate.

I need something tough, reliable and that works well for a little more extreme XC....

Shimano XTR SPD's
Time Atac Carbon XS Pedals
Time Z Control Pedals

Suggestions on each and which would be the better one to get?

Edited by beanbag on Sunday 12th April 19:11

[Steve UK]

I have the Time z freerides which are similair to the Time control's.

Best thing apart from they are indestructable is they float a little so as not to damage your knees.

[smack]

beanbag said:

Shimano XTR SPD's
Time Atac Carbon XS Pedals
Time Z Control Pedals

Time Atac's have more float than SPD's (which some people prefer, esp if you had dodgy knees), and wear out your shoes faster than others due to the two bar design that rosts of the sole of you shoe.

SPD's don't have float, which some people prefer...

If you can, borrow a set from mates and see what works for you.

[Steve UK]

smack said:

beanbag said:

Shimano XTR SPD's
Time Atac Carbon XS Pedals
Time Z Control Pedals

Time Atac's have more float than SPD's (which some people prefer, esp if you had dodgy knees)

If you don't have dodgy knees you soon will have with solidly fixed spd's

[beanbag]

Steve UK said:

smack said:

beanbag said:

Shimano XTR SPD's
Time Atac Carbon XS Pedals
Time Z Control Pedals

Time Atac's have more float than SPD's (which some people prefer, esp if you had dodgy knees)

If you don't have dodgy knees you soon will have with solidly fixed spd's

Is this a general issue of SPD's? I've been reading reviews for both the Time pedals and Shimano XTR pedals and all three are highly rated with the XTR more so.

Although the Time pedals offer more movement, I've heard they are harder at times to clip in although they shed mud more easily and as some have mentioned they offer more "float"....

Unfortunately I can't try any of of these pedals as my friends don't have them, other than I'm using a pair of Shimano OEM cheapy SPD's that came with my belated Kona back in 2004 so I can sort of tell what SPD's are like.

Would be interesting to try Time and Crank Brothers one just to see what they feel like but unfortunately this isn't possible.

[neil_bolton]

beanbag said:

Steve UK said:

smack said:

beanbag said:

Shimano XTR SPD's
Time Atac Carbon XS Pedals
Time Z Control Pedals

Time Atac's have more float than SPD's (which some people prefer, esp if you had dodgy knees)

If you don't have dodgy knees you soon will have with solidly fixed spd's

Is this a general issue of SPD's? I've been reading reviews for both the Time pedals and Shimano XTR pedals and all three are highly rated with the XTR more so.

Although the Time pedals offer more movement, I've heard they are harder at times to clip in although they shed mud more easily and as some have mentioned they offer more "float"....

Unfortunately I can't try any of of these pedals as my friends don't have them, other than I'm using a pair of Shimano OEM cheapy SPD's that came with my belated Kona back in 2004 so I can sort of tell what SPD's are like.

Would be interesting to try Time and Crank Brothers one just to see what they feel like but unfortunately this isn't possible.

I've ridden Time Atacs over the years and they are certainly excellent pedals when it comes to float - an excellent thing if you have bad knees.

However, I've ridden XTR spds for years and don't have a problem with bad knees as a result.

The XTR's are light, tough and seriously reliable.

I'm not going to tell you whether you should get one or the other - it depends on whether you need float or not - but put it this way: All my bikes at one time had XTR pedals - and now the either have XTR or DX SPD's.

Seriously good pedals are those Shimano's - if a little boring. Honestly: You wont go wrong with them - but you won't think 'wow' - but seriously - how many components get swapped between so many bikes - you'll still have the XTRs in ten years time...

[matt-ITR]

If your willing to do a little bit of maintenance on CB pedals then they are fantastic.
Squirt a bit of grease in them every month or so, maybe rebuild them once a year. Cleats wear a little faster than Shimano because they are made of brass.

If your not willing to do the work, they will end up with play. For me the performance advantages of eggbeaters/candys are worth it. SPDs feel horrible in comparison. Inconsistent clip in/out, bugger all float and crap mud clearance.

[pdV6]

I have dodgy knees and whilst I do like SPDs they do cause me pain after a while.

Therefore I switched to ATACs years ago. The oldest pair I have (must be about 9 years old) are still like new but the more recent Alium models (a) get a bit sharp after hitting them on rocks a few times and (b) the bearings are a bit worn.

The other thing to watch with ATACs is that the cleats are made of brass and therefore wear out a lot quicker than the equivalent SPD ones. I get through a set in about 9-10 months, by which time there's almost nothing left of 'em.

[TallTony]

I have some red DX spds (the downhill ones with the large cage) which date from 1997 I think.

Still going strong after 12 years of abuse... I did have to replace the cleats but one can hardly complain about value for money.

[beanbag]

matt-ITR said:

If your willing to do a little bit of maintenance on CB pedals then they are fantastic.
Squirt a bit of grease in them every month or so, maybe rebuild them once a year. Cleats wear a little faster than Shimano because they are made of brass.

If your not willing to do the work, they will end up with play. For me the performance advantages of eggbeaters/candys are worth it. SPDs feel horrible in comparison. Inconsistent clip in/out, bugger all float and crap mud clearance.

What is it that actually wears out on them exactly?!

And how easy are they to rebuild. I don't mind doing this so long as I don't get a pedal seizing up on me while I'm 30km out in the middle of nowhere(happens often), and I then have to push my bike back.

I do honestly prefer the look and type of platform that the CB mallet offers. I'm just very concerned with it's reliability.

If I don't get these, it's a very tough choice between the Time ATAC carbons and the XTR SPD's.

Frankly, I've no idea which to choose.....