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Crank Bros. Candy SL

Average Rating 3.84/5
# of Reviews 126
MSRP $ 140.00
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Description:
  • 2-sided all-mountain pedal
  • 4-sided entry
  • easy entry and exit
  • spd® compatible*
  • fully rebuildable
  • excellent 2 year warranty
  • superior mud shedding design
  • stainless steel spindle, fiber composite platform, carbon steel wings
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    Submitted by thejimrose a Weekend Warrior from sf,ca
    Date Reviewed: August 13, 2008
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $100.00
    Purchased At:ebay
    Strengths:elegant design, platform, 4 way entry
    Weaknesses:can be tricky to get into, feet 'float' on pedals a bit too much, can also be a little tricky to get out of.
    Similar Products Used:shimano spd
    Bike Setup:fuel ex8 with some bits
    Bottom Line:i bought these b/c i felt like i needed something different, and the design looks brilliant. i'm pretty hard on stuff and 200lbs and the pedals have held up GREAT - not sure why so many others have had bad luck, maybe a few batches of bad spring metal? platforms show use but are fine. the engagement and disengagement are a bit finicky, esp the engagement. i often have to push / stab / mash the pedals to get them in, the engagement point doesn't seem to be in the same place all the time, and i often don't get a really positive click. also my feet float on the pedals which feels like the clip is loose. the big up is supposed to be the candy's are great in the mud but i never ride mud.

    overall i'd say it's a fine pedal but i think the spd works a little better. spd tension adjust is nice too.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by nick119 a Cross Country Rider from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Date Reviewed: July 29, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Markham Park
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $120.00
    Purchased At:Alex's Bicycle Pro S
    Strengths:Easy in and out, but a nice hold.
    solid construction, for the most part.
    rebuildable
    platform is nice for those who worry about being unclipped
    Weaknesses:Looks as though it might break if you really beat it with a rock on a bad screw-up.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano M505
    Bike Setup:Trek Fuel EX6, Crank Bros Candy SL pedals, 2.1 Panaracer XC Fire Pros, Stock everywhere else
    Bottom Line:A nice pedal for the money if you have the skill to not beat the crap out of it into a rock. The clipping in and out is a little different from other pedals I've tried, but after a while you get used to it. I like em.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by klamnyc a Weekend Warrior from NYC
    Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Rockypoint
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $60.00
    Purchased At:ebay
    Strengths:Good Looks, Cost(you can find good deals on them here and there), user friendly, good pedal if you're new to clipless.
    Weaknesses:no adjustable spring tension, plastic body.
    Similar Products Used:none(first pair of clipless pedals)
    Bike Setup:sc chemeleon, geared, fox forx 130mm
    Bottom Line:In my experience, for the money I think it's a great pedal to get into the clipless thing. It's a easy pedal to learn to use that also offers pretty good performance and weight savings once you've gotten used to them. The no adjustment thing good and bad in that you don't have a lot of parts to mis-tune, break or maintain, but i guess it's also bad in the sense that you might want it looser or tighter than the 2 settings the special cleats offer you. I've only had a number of rides on them so far and haven't ran into much of a problem. i would recommend but not at retail prices, look on ebay.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Scott Kurland a Cross Country Rider from Irvington, NY,USA
    Date Reviewed: May 6, 2008
    Favorite Trail:NHW
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $75.00
    Purchased At:Ebay
    Strengths:Ease of use, lightweight, Non SPD
    Weaknesses:None so far
    Similar Products Used:Shimano SPD 520's
    Bike Setup:Cannondale Prophet 2000, Full XT/XTR rear derailler
    Bottom Line:I was jonesing to try anything non spd. I have been riding SPD pedals for over 10 years. These are my first, and so far, nothing but postives. There is definately an audible click in and out. Getting into is very easy. Foot must be in a bit of a different position, but easy to get used too. Have had some trouble getting out in a tight spot, but happy so far with the conversion.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Aaron Huckstep a Racer from Albuquerque, NM
    Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Tunnel
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $60.00
    Purchased At:Performance
    Strengths:Easy to get into
    Weaknesses:You'd better fix your pedal stroke
    Similar Products Used:Speedplay Frogs
    Bike Setup:03 Stumpjumper
    Bottom Line:I just blew up my second pair of these pedals. I like riding hard, and out here it's pretty rocky, but the one common failure point I've heard from people is that these pedals break when you bash a rock, which is bound to happen sometimes. My first pair cracked after a rock bash. I tried to change my pedal stroke to avoid rocks, and just be aware of the danger, but just yesterday did the same thing - second pair totally bent, which means they're destroyed. I'm going back to the Speedplays - they're totally indestructible.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Brian Bowles a Cross Country Rider from Cordova, Tn.
    Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Herb Parsons
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Price Paid: $120.00
    Purchased At:Bike World
    Strengths:Easily Shedds mud,easy to clip into, and ver few moving parts. oh and strong to.
    Weaknesses:no adjustability, if you need it. Personaly I dont mind.
    Similar Products Used:None
    Bike Setup:stock Specialized Hardrock pro Hardtail
    Bottom Line:a bit pricy, but super strong and reliable pedals. would buy another set if I had too, But so far it is looking like it will be a long time before I have to do that.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Nick Giammona a Weekend Warrior from Lake Hiawatha, NJ, USA
    Date Reviewed: March 28, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Ho-Chi-Min Trail in Montauk, NY
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Purchased At:Albert's Westwood Cycle
    Strengths:Light weight, easy in and out, simple design, mud is NEVER a problem
    Weaknesses:Durability
    Similar Products Used:Shimano SPD, Time ATAC
    Bike Setup:Haro Mary SS 29er
    Bottom Line:Why is everyone complaining about clipping into these? They're as easy or easier than spd, there IS an audible 'click' when you clip in. Watch for rocks, if you hit one the right way, it can release on you. The body shields it so it's not as frequent as the regular eggbeater. The body isn't very durable, but it's plastic. You knew that before you bought it. What did you think was going to happen. This is a XC pedal so don't put it on your trail bike. It won't survive.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by mark lyndon a Weekend Warrior from NZ
    Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Hot X Buns
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $120.00
    Purchased At:LBS
    Strengths:2 sets of screws, sticker, light weight, Pretty Box
    Weaknesses:Dont last, weak, inconsistant engagement (compared to Times)
    Similar Products Used:Time Atacs 5/5, Redline Flats (Nice), wellgos (detah traps)
    Bike Setup:Yeti 575 Race
    Bottom Line:Broke after 2 rides, bars jammed against body so they wouldnt spin to engage.
    After 2 reides they looked about a year old, the composite body dosnt take much in the way of hits even on XC trais.
    The 4 way engagement is its down fall, to many place the bars can be in, so each engaement is different, wierd.

    Sold tem after 2 rides fter they broke and got them fixed under warranty.
    Brought some more times, they the buisness!!!!!!!!
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Jadedbee a Weekend Warrior from Sacramento, CA
    Date Reviewed: February 16, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Connector, Auburn
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $45.00
    Purchased At:Mad Cat Bikes
    Strengths:Light, cool looks, shed mud well
    Weaknesses:durability, feel loose, not adjustable
    Similar Products Used:shimano spd
    Bike Setup:Salsa El Mariachi 1x9 fully rigid 29er
    Bottom Line:Yikes... I was going to get another pair of SPDs with my new bike but got a deal on these as they came off another bike that the shop recently sold (buyer wisely didn't want them). I had a lot of issues at first getting the cleats to work with my shoes (short screws were still too long, used shims but they made the engagement super loose, the float didn't feel right). I got new shoes (Specialized BG Comp) but still couldn't manage to get the hang of clipping in and out (way too finicky) culminating in my falling over a cliff side as i was not able to get out of one of the pedals. Many recommended shaving the soles of my new shoes - DON"T DO THIS! You're just compromising your shoes to make these lousy pedals work. AND after shaving them the pedals returned to the way-too-loose feel.

    Upon inspection back at the shop, in just a matter of a few rides I had bent the engagement wings outward (due to torque from pulling up?). The shop and I agreed - it was back to SPDs for me. We didn't bother trying to warranty them - it'd probably just do it again and the SPDs were instant gratification. Maybe the Ti Eggbeaters are the real deal, but I've got such a bad taste in my mouth I'll probably never find out.
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Bryan a Weekend Warrior from Flagstaff, AZ
    Date Reviewed: February 13, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Broken Arrow, Elden
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:Contest Winner
    Strengths:SO simple to use, slap them on your bike and forget it, never had an issue with these.
    Weaknesses:The plastic around the egg beater is kind of useless,
    Similar Products Used:shimano, bmxer pedals
    Bike Setup:Jamis Dakar XLT with Fox AVA, Minute 3, Hayes HX9 brakes
    Bottom Line:I thought i had to review these after reading everyone complaints about bending or breaking these. They've been nothing but invincible on my bike, had them for over 4 years and only the plastic is scraped up at the ends from rocks. I ride my bike hard over 100 days a year and have ridden most of the lift accessed downhill courses in CO on this bike. I dont understand how people have broke this pedal
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Michael a from Berkeley, CA
    Date Reviewed: January 11, 2008
    Favorite Trail:San Juan Trail
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:Compatible with Crank Brothers Eggbeaters.
    Weaknesses:Clips made of inferior materials compared to Eggbeaters SL
    Similar Products Used:Crank Brothers Eggbeaters SL
    Shimano PD-M747
    Bike Setup:Ibis Mojo Carbon
    Fox Vanilla RLC 140
    Fox RP23
    Formula Puro Oro disk brakes
    Bottom Line:These were decent from smooth cross country riding. However, the clip-in was always less than positive. I'd often clip-out and clip-in again to make sure the connection was solid.

    The clips that hold the cleat to the pedal looked inferior to those on the Eggbeaters SL. One the very first ride on the San Juan Trail in Southern California, these pedals were essentially destroyed functionally. Rocks litter the singletrack, and these did the pedals in. The clips were bent. Though they could be bent back into shape, I've abandoned these on my trail bike. I'll continue to use the Eggbeaters on my other bike (cross country racer), but I'm switching to the Shimano PD-M970 for the Ibis.

    The small platforms worked to reduce numbness on long rides compared to the Eggbeaters SL, I'd avoid these as they are not durable and the clip-in and clip-out are not confidence inspiring. The brass cleats wear quickly.

    I'm giving an overall of 2 chills since, they were good enough for smooth non-technical riding.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Jim a Cross Country Rider from San Diego
    Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Noble Canyon
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:Cheap, light weight
    Weaknesses:Often no positive "click" on engagement, wear out fast, disengage when bottomed out on obstacles, often get hung up on cleat when stepping in, easy to slip off when trying to engage and bust your shin.
    Similar Products Used:Ritchey, Shimano, Time
    Bike Setup:2002 Canyon Hardtail
    Bottom Line:These pedals were enticing due to the low price and low weight. It was hard to engage them from the beginning, I kept using them expecting I would get more comfortable with them but never did. Of all the pedals I have used these are the only ones I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by 40hills a Cross Country Rider from Suburbia North Carolina
    Date Reviewed: November 26, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Bent Creek trails
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $67.00
    Purchased At:Full Cycles
    Strengths:Light weight, simplicity (no adjustments required), ease of clipping in/out, mud clearing, more secure feeling than Eggbeaters (in my opinion), can be found for cheap (use froogle.google.com)
    Weaknesses:Plastic platform is fairly soft compared to steel, but probably at least as good as the lightweight magnesium pedals that are similar in weight. Neither may be the best choice for super rocky terrain. I personally don't encounter much more than logs with occassional rocks, so this isn't an issue for me.
    Similar Products Used:Eggbeater SL, Shimano 520(525?)
    Bike Setup:SC Superlight with sensibly light XC build (light, but durable)
    Bottom Line:Great pedal that has the advantages of a simple design (i.e. light weight, few moving parts) with none of the disadvantages more complex pedals have (i.e. multiple adjustments, small dirt trapping pieces).

    To me, these pedals feel as secure as my Shimanos, but clear mud MUCH better and are easier to clip in and out. I've had instances of the Shimanos sort of binding up when in a panic get-off, but the Candies always operate smoothly.

    Value can't be beat... overall rating is 5 thanks to an outstand combination of weight, performance, and design.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Bijorn Dunkerbeck a Weekend Warrior from New Hampshire
    Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Fort Rock
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $70.00
    Purchased At:ebay
    Strengths:Never clog with mud. Easy to use.
    Great customer service.
    Weaknesses:Durability when exposed to rocky terrain. Plastic wears out fast then you start hitting the shaft/end bolt. Next thing you know you have no pedal.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano
    Eggbeater
    Bike Setup:Stumpjumper Expert
    Bottom Line:These pedals only last for a year or so. Gone through several pairs. Went back to CrankBros for free repairs once and they were great. Used the rebuild kit and bought a spare pair. Problem is these pedals just cannot stand up if you are around rocks. Tried the eggbeaters and those hurt when you bang your shins on them.
    Will try something else like a Time or Shimano. Rocks on the East coast are fact of life.
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by John a Weekend Warrior from Urbana, Illinois
    Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:Performance Bike
    Strengths:They came free with the bike? I guess thats because no one else would want them.
    Weaknesses:What is good about them? No aduable click to let you know your in the pedAL.
    Similar Products Used:Ritchey and Time.
    Bike Setup:2007 GT Zaskar Expert stock LX Deore with a Rockshox Recon 351 front shock.
    Bottom Line:These pedlas were very difficult to to get engage and rough sections of trail or climbing would have ne pulling out of the pedal. I played with the cleats and trimmed the shoe inserted the shim it did matter they just stink. I ordered a set of Time XS carbons as soon as I arrived home after my first ride on these pedals. TheSe are going in the trash since I would feel guilty about subjecting someone to this garbage if I sold them.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by ANDY DODSWORTH a Cross Country Rider from UK
    Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007
    Favorite Trail:CBC CORKSCREW
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $90.00
    Purchased At:CRC
    Strengths:LIGHT AND A NICE DESIGN, WITH GOOD MUD SHEDDING
    Weaknesses:VERY POOR QUALITY, SOFT WEAK MATERIALS, NEXT TO NO SEALS TO PROTECT BEARINGS. 3 RIDES AND THE WINGS BENT, ANOTHER 3 RIDES AND THE PEDAL CAME OFF, FITTED REBUILD KIT IT LASTED 1 MONTH AND HAPPENED AGAIN.
    Similar Products Used:EXPEDO, SHIMANO, WELLGO
    Bike Setup:BLUR AND NOMAD
    Bottom Line:COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL EGGBEATER THESE ARE VERY POOR, NOT USABLE HERE IN THE UK THEY JUST FAIL NEARLY EVERY RIDE. I HAVE SENT THEM BACK TO CRANKBROTHERS USA AS UK DIS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by ALEX a Weekend Warrior from Ellicott City, Maryland, United States
    Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Ridge
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $75.00
    Purchased At:Ebay
    Strengths:Light(doesnt make a diffrence) decent looking easy in out
    Weaknesses:it will break at themost unexpected times and at times wont feel secure(even though you are)
    Similar Products Used:Shimano
    Bike Setup:2003 Cannondale Jekyll 600 carbon spv lefty fox DHX 5.0 air
    Bottom Line:decent if you are a beginer but as you get more use to clip-less you should probley go with a more stable pedal. good looks alright performance all around pretty decent and excellent to learn on probabley one of the best to learn on out there for sure oh yeah and if you have purchased it already check em before you hit the trails
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Jon a Cross Country Rider from Santa Rosa, CA, US
    Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $60.00
    Purchased At:Used on Craigslist
    Strengths:Float, Smooth in + out, Don't accidentally unclip.
    Weaknesses:Maybe can't get into them as easily as SPD's.
    (Should only have 2 sided entry with platform)
    Similar Products Used:SPD's
    Time XS
    Eggbeaters
    Bike Setup:Sweet custom Built K2 Razorback. (Although these pedals have been on 4 different Bikes)
    Bottom Line:Best set of pedals out there!
    I bought these and the cleats that can move side to side(like SPD cleats) and it fixed the knee problems I had with other pedals.
    I love the smoothness... no clanking/snapping sound going in or out. Don't have to twist as hard either.
    These stay clipped much better than SPD's.

    These are great pedals. The only reason I see not to buy them is if you HAVE to get in the first try every time.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by creecrop a from Carmel Valley,CA,USA
    Date Reviewed: July 19, 2007
    Favorite Trail:brail trail
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $95.00
    Purchased At:local shop
    Strengths:4 side entry less thinking about cliping in and more thinking about carving the next trail,simple design clip bracket with a fat tension spring,best looking pedal i have seen ,feels very natural to clip in or out
    Weaknesses:have a long history with a lot of different pedals,from rebuild in the middle of sea otter,to riding with one foot,with these pedals a few creaks and moans,so far -no weakness
    Similar Products Used:just about all of them,if not me then someone else in the group,amazing what works and what doesnt work depending on the rider and bike set up
    Bike Setup:cross country , free ride set up put them together myself,bike KHS fr1500 frame all high grade stuff built for a fast clydesdale
    Bottom Line:so far this pedal setup is holding up and peforming well,without any problems,and if there is , lesson learned on to the next option,whatever keeps you riding and feeling strong...
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Paul Gwin a Cross Country Rider from Murphys, CA 95247
    Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Elusive
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $99.00
    Strengths:Lightweight, four sided entry, easy engagement and disengagement
    Weaknesses:No Durability
    Similar Products Used:Shimano
    Bike Setup:Blur XC
    Bottom Line:I can't believe I am reviewing a product after the first ride. I got these pedals for my wife for her first clipless pedal. Halfway through her first ride (three miles in actually) and with no hard contact with the pedal, the engagement wings are so bent on the left pedal that they won't spin freely within the plastic body. I'm unimpressed to say the least, my wife isn't exactly hard on her equipment and it made her first ride on her new bike miserable. I also have a set and since they seemed to work okay I won't write them off just yet but we'll have to see how Crank Bros handles the situation.

    Being a first time clipless user, she has been trying to roll her foot out of the pedal instead of twisting out. This was a very common thing we'd see selling to new clipless users when I was worked at a shop and we never saw a pedal come back (we didn't carry Crank Bros though). I can't believe that a 125 pound girl can so ruin a pedal just by trying to disengage incorrectly.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Bob a Cross Country Rider from Louisville
    Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Strengths:Simple,strong,reliable,light weight,not affected by mud or snow.
    Weaknesses:None so far.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano.
    Bottom Line:I have two sets of these plus a set of mallets and all have been flawless. The SL's are lighter than the Shimano pedals I've used (and sold).
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Nachomama a Cross Country Rider from Flagstaff, AZ
    Date Reviewed: June 11, 2007
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $80.00
    Purchased At:LBS
    Strengths:relatively light, decent price, were very easy to engage prior to breaking, took no time to get used stepping into
    Weaknesses:not durable, werent disengaging worth a crap
    Similar Products Used:shimano...
    Bike Setup:chumba xcl
    Bottom Line:slapped these puppies on, rode around my house and was amazed at how easy they were to get in and out of. hit the trail and continued to be amazed at how easy they were to get into but couldnt get out too great resulting in dead horses in the middle of several rocky areas... ive been riding clip-ins for many years so im not new to this. many other reviewers are reporting the opposite so im not sure what to say... may have been due to shoe interface as well... but only one side was a problem.

    unfortunately, after 2 rides, 1 of the 4 "retention bars" crack most of the way through and bent. this resulted in that bar not passing very cleanly inside of the plastic outer "frame". at this point, that pedal is virtually impossible to get into...

    this pedal lasted 2 rides.

    my old shimanos were abused for 8 straight years and are now back on my brand new chumba b/c they outlasted my 2 week old candys...

    ill see how the return/customer service goes and give them another shot as long as they send me new ones w/o hassles.

    we shall see... but so far im not impressed at all.



    you make
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Jordan Johnson a Cross Country Rider from Austin, TX
    Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
    Favorite Trail:City Park Motorcyle Trail in Austin
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $99.00
    Purchased At:Performance
    Strengths:They look great. They don't weigh anything. I cannot agree with some other's reviews as far as clipping in and out. I think it's super easy getting in AND out of these pedals. I like the feel of the small platform. The cleats are super solid, and the instruction manual is super easy to read and VERY detailed.
    Weaknesses:I can see the platform getting messed up over time as it is just plastic and stuff. But, no pedal is ever going to last forever. So I'm not sure if that is even a weakness.
    Similar Products Used:Multiple Shimano SPD bulky ugly junks. And a pair of Bontrager bulky ugly junks.
    Bike Setup:2006 Stumpjumper FSR expert, fox rp23, deore xt, etc...
    Bottom Line:These pedals really perform, feel, look, and just are great. I recommend them to anyone who is wanting a good looking pedal that feels just as good if not better than traditional SPD pedals.

    Oh yeah, ps - go to the crank brothers website - www.crankbrothers.com - they have some really fresh looking shirts and junk for pretty cheap. No I do not work for them or anything, I just really dig their stuff. My favorit is the crankbrothers zip u