Submitted by
sevenzero
a Cross Country Rider
from Dark Side Of The Moon
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2011
Strengths: Hmm. This is where you say what you like about the pedals? They look pretty cool. The machine work and CAD design work is very nice. The eggbeater clip is a simple engineering marvel.
Weaknesses: The function of these pedals all around is useless.
Bottom Line:
These were my first clipless pedal. I bought these pedals looking for the best of both worlds, (As did a friend I ride with who is riding flats now) or minimally a good compromise between clips and flats. The truth is having no experience with clipless pedals made me think the mallets were passable. If you raise the pins you can't click out, if you lower them they do little to nothing when you want to be free on sketchy stuff.
I picked up a set of the low end eggbeaters at REI for $49.00 and did a trial by fire today on one of the more technical trails here and to be honest I had some anxiety about being smashed into the rocks. I wish I would have tried the egg beater first, it would have saved me a few trips to the ground stuck in the mallets.
The bottom line is, these pedals probably work amazing for everyone else. For me they are a worthless blend of two types of pedal and they suck at being either one. They inspired absolutely no confidence when riding with them. After riding the regular eggbeater today I found that it clicks out at any foot angle with little to no effort, pedals pretty damn good clicked out for just having that minimalist stick to stand on, instant Zen. I would recommend choosing a specific pedal (Flat or clipless) rather than this inbred stepchild. Get the regular egg beater, they rock.
I bought them used so my value rating should be higher, they are so worthless I have to give them the lowest rating.
Maybe I am a tame rider compared to some here, but I have whacked these pretty hard on many rocks and they have performed like champs. That said, I am not a hard-core downhill rider, so I don't do big drops that would be harder on the spindle. For all-mountain and XC riding, I love these. They give me a solid, stable platform and let me ride with normal shoes or sandals if I need to. I definitely prefer them to the Candy SLs I have on my commute bike. Only problem I've had was a spring that stuck open on one pedal, which was quickly fixed by CB.
Submitted by
the_one
a Weekend Warrior
from Madrid(Spain)
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2010
Strengths: you can clip or not with big plataform
Weaknesses: you have to rebuild early. Bad quality materials inside the pedal.
Bottom Line:
It could be great pedal but they used bad quality materials for the price you are paying for it.Big plataform when you are not clipped. CB clip system is too good for knee problemas.
Strengths: I love how you can raise the pins to grip the shoe. Makes me feel like I am rding flat pedals even with the extra float.
Weaknesses: Broken Spindle
Bottom Line:
How can there not be a recall on these pedals with so many broken spindles? Seems like a very serious safety hazard. I would not recommend buying these if you plan on using them for more than 9 months.
Submitted by
chtorres2
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2010
Strengths: Platform plus clipped performance. Adjustable pins for unclipped pedaling. Easy clipping in and out.
Weaknesses: I havent found any yet other then having to buy a rebuild kit to change the internals every so often (depending how much you ride and conditions they are used in) instead of being able to just taking it apart to clean and regrease the thing. You can do that with other pedals why not with yours Crank Brotthers?
Bottom Line:
First of all Ive only had the pedals for 2 monthes and Ive used them a lot. I havent had any problems. I have been concerned because of so many reviews saying the build quality is junk and they are unreliable. I still went ahead and bought them because they are the closest thing out there to what I wanted 1. A platform pedal that I can ride fast going downhill without the fear of crashing clipped in... 2. A pedal I can clip in to have more control going up hill and fast in easier conditions. These pedals have held up pretty good. I weighd 210lbs when I started using them and I weigh 197 lbs right now so Im not a light guy. I mash them hard and Ive had a few nasty crashes that have hit the pedals pretty hard and they havent given in yet. Maybee Im a lucky one. In my opinion they are well built. If they fail me Ill be quick to update my review and let you guys know. I ride 2-3 times a week for at least 6-15 miles each ride just to give you and idea of how much use theyve gotten. They probably have around 100 miles. They get 5 chilies for value cause they are not to expensive. Overall 4 chilies because you cant just take em apart and regrease them. You have to buy a $15-$20 rebuild kit.
Submitted by
E.T.^R
a Weekend Warrior
from Sudbury, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2010
Strengths: Clips are easy to use, easy to get used to large platform you can mash on if not clipped in. Good customer service
Weaknesses: These pedals seem to have a vary brittle axle,I have broken three in as many years and am finally convinced that is not just me.
Bottom Line:
To me it all boils down to one thing these things will fail catastrophically when you least expect it so I say stay away from them.
I would not recommend this product to my friends!
Submitted by
willtsmith_nwi
a Weekend Warrior
from Valparaiso, IN
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2010
Strengths: Good Ergonomics
Weaknesses: They break from XC use. The last time they broke it sent me into a crash and now I have a separated shoulder.
Bottom Line:
Crank Brothers fixed the numerous broken axels I sent them from these and the original Mallet C. They can't fix my separated shoulder. The last customer service interaction I've had with this place went way downhill. They wanted me to pay for a fix.
It's a shame that this innovative platform/clip design is manufactured like crap. Over three years of sending back axels, this company learned nothing and I ultimately ended up with a permanent injury.
There is no value to such a product. It cost me $300 to replace all their junk. The overall rating for a product that gives way so suddenly is zero. Buy at your own risk.
Similar Products Used: Time ATAC, Time ATAC Z (both good so far)
Bike Setup: Karate Monkey XT/X9 Build.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
asanathema
a Cross Country Rider
from Cumberland, MD
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2010
Strengths: Platform/clip-ins.
Weaknesses: I just checked out the springs and found the left one which I primarily clip into is so rusted it doesn't move, maybe that's why it's been easy to what with my cleats worn down to nothing. Added grease through the port and oiled the outside of the spring, which seemed to work for the right beater (but that was movable)haven't had a chance to check it out yet and been too busy to go down to the basement since I did that. Yes the paint does leech off pretty quickly but they're pedals...
Bottom Line:
I'd probably buy them again, I like the clip in and platform design we'll see if depending on my fix if I'll go with 1s or upgrade, same time I might just go flats with pins depending on weight.
Similar Products Used: Does taking off stock DB Peak wellgo's and putting on CB candy sls count?
Bike Setup: Custom painted Specialized Epic Expert.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
tbaier
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2009
Strengths: Versatile.
Weaknesses: Not particularly good at being a flat or a clip pedal. Heavy. Suspect bearings.
Bottom Line:
As others have said, this pedal tries to do 2 things at once and does neither particularly well.
In my opinion, unclipping in order to ride technical sections is not really advisable on these. Between the raised butterfly clip in the center and the small, easily bent tread on the outside, traction is minimal when you are not clipped in. For me, the outer cage also makes it harder to unclip, and adds a fair amount of weight.
I also noticed a lot of bearing noise after about 6 months of riding. They are still going, but I'm not getting my hopes up for a long life.
What I like about these is that I can hop on my bike with street shoes or flip-flops on and ride around town or tow my kids in the trailer if they want to go for a quick ride. As long as its nothing too demanding. Its a lot easier than having to always put special shoes on.
Unfortunately the negatives outweigh the positives and I think I'm just going to buy some flats for fun, a proper pedal wrench and some Time ATACs for MTB.
Submitted by
Cameron
a Downhiller
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2009
Strengths: Very good grip while unclipped compared to competitors, smooth exit, semi-easy entry.
Weaknesses: I've broken a few spindles on both this model and the older mallet model. The spring, if clipped on a rock, bends very easily. This makes all 4 sides unavailable to clip into.
Bottom Line:
If you're serious into downhilling, i'd suggest looking at another pedal. It has honestly scared me on multiple occasions how easy it is to actually snap these spindles. I've been lucky about when this has happened though and have not been seriously injured. If you plan on riding hard or fast, jumping, dropping etc... I'd suggest looking at another product. This pedal is simply not designed for a downhilling environment.
Strengths: Good all around pedal, easy to clip in and out.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
I really like these pedals. They are listed as downhill but i concider them the perfect all mountain pedal. I ride cliped in when i amd on the easy cross country hills, and up hill. Then i ride unliped for the downhill, drops, jumps, and scary stuff. The pedal is a little heavy but if your doin that kind of ridin weight usaly isnt that much of a factor. The mallet 1's are a little bit heaver than the mallet 2's but they are the same pedal the only difference is that the platform on the mallet 1 is alittle wider and has a extra set screw on each side.
Strengths: Has a platform for days that you don't want to clip in; low price; solid; easy clip out; a lot of float
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Great pedals; work great, feel great, look great. Have a platform for easier days and are low priced. Great for first time clipless or experienced riders.
Bike Setup: Jamis Dakota 29er; MRP LRP, Custom wheels,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
slyder1217
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Strengths: Easy clip in/out. Solid feel. Durable.
Weaknesses: Heavy.
Bottom Line:
Great pedals. I've been very pleased thus far. The platform is nice for really hairy stuff or for slapping on the tennis shoes and going to the greenway. Great beginner pedal or for someone who just likes to have the option of running a platform.
Similar Products Used: Crank Brothers Egg Beaters.
Bike Setup: Trek, Shimano XT, Rock Shox, Thompson.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
US41
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2008
Bottom Line:
I bought these as my first clipless pedals. Why they are called clipless when they have clips and when attached you are "clipped in" I will never understand. I was nervous about getting something like egg beaters because I thought I may hate them and wanted to be able to use them as flats anyway.
No one at the bike shop explained to me that the pedals were specifically for downhilling nor even what that was about.
I don't like them. I've tried some egg beaters now, and I think it is important to note that I really don't use the platform at all - its all in your mind. The connection point is the clip - not the pedal. It's just wasted metal.
The spring in one pedal broke and had to be returned to the manufacturer to be refurbished. They did not replace it.
The other pedal's allen wrench socket stripped when trying to remove it - cheap chromallow construction. Chromalloy is not steel, and its not good.
They are back on the bike now, and I'm still using them, but I'm saving up for some egg beaters. You can get steel ones on Ebay for 40% less than these pedals cost me in a bike shop, and installing them requires a knowledge of how to install a lightbulb and tighten using an allen wrench. Dead easy.
Just get egg beaters.
Two stars overall because of Crank Bros customer service refurbishing pedals. Otherwise I would give nothing but a one.
Submitted by
silkworm13
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2008
Strengths: Look cool - I got some sweet dark blue special editions made specifically for Performance, they're pretty bullet proof - i trashed the hell outta them on and epic in the san gabes 30 miles with crazy rock gardens and creek crossings
Weaknesses: hard to ride while not clipped in, but still easier to ride not clipped in than other clipless pedals - heavy
Bottom Line:
very nice pedals, would recommend them to anyone - i'm just not comfortable with clipless, i rarely crash, but i ride a lot of singletracks with some pretty unforgiving exposure (100+ foot sheer cliffs) i prefer living to ride another day over the little bit of extra power and stability clipless gives.
Hi All,
I've been looking for more technical trail ride and I'm planning to replace my stock Shimano 505 for a clipless platform. I'm between the new Mallet 1 and Shimans M647. Read More »
I found this via a "sponsored" link on ebay while looking there for Mallet 1 pedals.
HuckNRoll.com has the Mallet 1s for $68.87 ( [url]http://www.hucknroll.com/mountainbike/CRN0 Read More »
OK so I am sitting here miserable with a broken 5th metatarsal bone in my foot, I am thinking of going with Mallet 1 pedals for there wideness so I will have some more support for Read More »
I just purchased some mallet 1's, and I just took them out today. Grease is spewing out the side of the right pedal and they are squeaking like I am using a mouse for a fender. Do Read More »
I have just bought a set of mallet 1's and use them with my shimano shoes just fine, but I want to ride them as platforms too. My typical DVS skate shoe/ platform is not working to Read More »
