 |
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
Home | Product Reviews | Pedal | Crank Brothers Mallet C | ||||
|
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Submitted by
Travis
from Auburn CA
Date Reviewed: 4/29/2008 12:31:17 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | South Burma @ Annadel |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $85 |
| Purchased At: | cambria bicycle |
| Strengths: | coming from some Shimano M520's to Mallet C's ... the eggbeater was great to click in and out compared to the M520's and the pedal seemed to hold my cleat very stiffly, the platform was nice and boosted confidence on downhill sections because I could just feel more pedal there on the heavy corners and drops .. |
| Weaknesses: | Well my eggbeater cage broke on one of my pedals. I've been using these for very little time too, its a flaw in design over Shimano I guess. But Warranty is going to cover my pedal to be fixed. But that does not really help when I want to go riding today. The red paint wore off really fast too. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Shimano M520's, crank bro 50/50 x, wellgo's that rip your shins up! |
| Bike Setup: | 07 stumpy comp with a dee max in the back with kinda nevegals 2.35s, monkeylite sl bars, thomson layback post, yeti grips and mallet c's, |
| Bottom Line: | I think I am going to buy another pair of the pedals because they are 49$ and my LBS matches internet prices. They are great pedals when they aren't broken and crank brothers does have really good customer support. But! make sure you use the Shims, which have to be purchased separately, or shave some rubber off your cleats if they are rubbing the platform around the pedal, if you don't do this is could A) break your pedal and B) lead to severe knee problems. |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating: 
|
|
|
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Fresh Meadows, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: 3/21/2008 10:36:52 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Blue Mountain |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $80 |
| Purchased At: | blueskycycling.com |
| Strengths: | Good pedal for those coming over from platform pedals |
| Weaknesses: | Heavy, I guess? |
| Similar Products Tried: | Platforms - some Shimano crap |
| Bike Setup: | Yeti ASX |
| Bottom Line: | Awesome pedals if you wanna learn. |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Jason Lithopoulos
a Downhiller
from Rancho San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: 2/26/2008 7:29:26 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | San Luis Obispo, CA |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $50 |
| Purchased At: | ebay |
| Strengths: | Solid, great product for the money, even at full price, easy to use, easy to clean |
| Weaknesses: | paint comes off easy, but that shouldn't matter unless you're one of those idiots that has a shiny bike with no dirt on it |
| Similar Products Tried: | other platform pedals |
| Bike Setup: | 2005 Haro X2, Avid BB7s, Manitou Nixon and Metel |
| Bottom Line: | If you are looking to go clipless, or if you have and are looking for a clipless pedal that can be ridden like a platform, this is the pedal. You don't have to BS with those little tiny pedals or ones that are double sided. This pedal can be ridden on both sides and the inner egg beater spins for easy entry. Great product |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
corey
a Weekend Warrior
from se us
Date Reviewed: 2/1/2008 10:00:56 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | one with dirt and rock |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $89 |
| Purchased At: | online superstore |
| Strengths: | everything |
| Weaknesses: | weight |
| Similar Products Tried: | platforms |
| Bottom Line: | This is my first clipless pedal system. I rode several years before I got the nerve to go clipless. Based on reviews here and elsewhere I bought these. They are built very well, were easy to learn, and are tough. I ride a lot of rocks and have been borderline abusive towards them. No problems yet. I like being able to unclip and move my foot forward a couple of inches and riding them like platforms for the real technical stuff. Been seeing them for 50 bucks lately, thats a steal. Unless your a weight weenie, these are great. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Carlos
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, CA USA
Date Reviewed: 12/4/2007 11:35:52 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | any singletrack |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $99 |
| Purchased At: | LBS |
| Strengths: | Excellent engagement/disengagement Grippy platform Durable Mud has no effect on cleat engagement |
| Weaknesses: | Heavy |
| Similar Products Tried: | Shimano 545 |
| Bike Setup: | Yeti 575 |
| Bottom Line: | I purchased my Mallets after I started having problems with my Shimano 545s, especially in the mud. The Mallet has a grippy platform that is very useful when attempting to build up speed before clipping in. So far my Mallets have held up twice as long as my old 545s. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Terry Reis
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: 11/7/2007 4:49:06 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Kirroughtree |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $120 |
| Purchased At: | Wiggle |
| Strengths: | Great platform works well when clipped out. Emergency clipping out is easy. |
| Weaknesses: | Sometimes tricky clipping in but gets easier with use / practise. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Shimano Clipless and Time Z Attack |
| Bike Setup: | Yeti 575, RP23, Pace RC41 Fighter 20mm TA, Mavic Crossmax SX. |
| Bottom Line: | I have a love hate relationship with clipless pedals. When I'm bombing over rocks and drops I like the security, when something that stretches me appears I wish I wasn't. But on the whole I prefer to be clipped in. Tried Shimano was never happy with them. Tried Time Attack Z, better but still had some loss of confidence moments. Finally relented and bought a pair of Mallets. The most impressive thing for me is the ease of unclipping by far the easiest pedal I have used. This may be helped by the fact that I have used the Stainless Steel Shim (available as an accessory) under the cleats. Emergency clipping out is a doddle. Move your foot slightly forward of the spring and you have a perfectly usable platform. Drag it backwards to re-engage. I have not had any accidental unclipping and I have used them hard. My son who would never touch clipless pedals now has a pair as well and is getting on great with them. Guess I have found my pedalling nirvarna !!! |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Grady
a Weekend Warrior
from Elgin, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: 9/28/2007 7:22:25 AM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $65 |
| Purchased At: | Ebay |
| Strengths: | -Simple design -Sheds mud quickly -Easy entry and exit -Pretty! |
| Weaknesses: | NONE |
| Similar Products Tried: | Scott |
| Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude with stuff |
| Bottom Line: | A brilliant design! Takes getting used to, and the springs must be broken in. Best of both worlds! |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Dan
a Downhiller
from Montreal, QC
Date Reviewed: 8/21/2007 5:51:20 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | #7 bromont, QC |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $150 |
| Purchased At: | ABC |
| Strengths: | Easy clip in...easy clip out. Nice size platform for stability while riding. |
| Weaknesses: | I have broken the clip-in mechanism twice in two years simply by hitting it off a rock. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Shimano spds used for 17 years....raced with them for five years and still using them on my commuter bike. IN-DE-STRUCT-ABLE. |
| Bike Setup: | Santacruz vp free, rockshok world cup, rubber tires, one shifter, etc, etc... |
| Bottom Line: | If you ride rocky downhill trails I would look for something more durable until crankbrothers can find a way to strengthen the metal piece that you clip into. Having has this piece break twice, it is annoying and somewhat dangerous. |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
treefall
a Downhiller
from Brooklyn, NY, US
Date Reviewed: 8/14/2007 10:46:03 AM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $70 |
| Purchased At: | CBO |
| Strengths: | The design for the interface is great, but the functionality of the axle and internal workings are very poor. Crank Brother's warranty is great because they know first hand of the poor design and having to replace so many parts on their poorly built pedals. |
| Weaknesses: | I broke 3 axles in less than 2 years. This product is very dangerous. Breaking a pedal while riding can result in serious injury. Riders be advised. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Time Atac Z Pedals. Richtey SPD's, Shimano SPD's. |
| Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Chameleon, Marzocchi Z1 FR w/ Marzocchi Front 20mm Hub, Shimano XT all around, Mavic Rims, Avid BB7 185mm w/ levers, Azonic Shorty Stem w/ Double Wall Handlebar, Thompson seatpost, WTB Laser V Saddle, Time Atac Z Pedals. |
| Bottom Line: | Don't put yourself at risk. Pick up a pair of Time pedals. They have a better interface and are rock solid, as well as super smooth bearings. |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Adam B
from Syracuse NY
Date Reviewed: 7/16/2007 8:19:11 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $65 |
| Purchased At: | EMS |
| Strengths: | Solid platform, wide base, stable |
| Weaknesses: | none so far |
| Bike Setup: | 07 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc |
| Bottom Line: | My first foray into riding clipless, and I've taken some good licks for sure, but the larger platform of these pedals makes it easier to clip in and out. They hold the cleat well, and release pretty quick (although not quick enough in some cases as my bruises atest too). You can add the included shims to your shoes to raise the cleat a bit, making releasing a bit easier. Overall a great, high quality product. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Steve Weiss
a Weekend Warrior
from Johnson Creek, WI
Date Reviewed: 6/24/2007 9:59:51 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Maah Daah Hey |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $89 |
| Purchased At: | Dakota Cyclery Mountain Bike Adventures |
| Strengths: | Great construction, nice platform for use with oout clipless shoes. Rebuildable. Schweet looking!! |
| Weaknesses: | None thus far. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Crank Brothers Candy C |
| Bike Setup: | 2005 Jamis Dakar 2.0 XLT, Manitou Miniute 3, Manitou Swinger 4-Way, Crannk Brothers Mallet C. |
| Bottom Line: | Crank Brothers makes awsome products. I fully support their products. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Leland
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC, USA
Date Reviewed: 6/18/2007 5:22:11 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | What's a trail? |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $100 |
| Purchased At: | LBS |
| Strengths: | Simple, durable, usable with regular non-cleated shoes, no adjustments to fuss over |
| Weaknesses: | No adjustments (if you're into that sort of thing), sometimes difficult to hear & feel the engagement |
| Similar Products Tried: | None; closest thing would be toeclips that came on my last bike |
| Bike Setup: | Cannondale Bad Boy; '99 Schwinn Mesa GSX |
| Bottom Line: | I first got these for my new Cannondale, and have moved them to the Schwinn so that I have the same system on both bikes (hence the bike pair in "Bike Setup"). The C'dale cane with plain pedals from the shop, and I wanted to get pedals with toeclips like I had before. They suggested that I try going clipless this time around, so after much deliberation (and reading many reviews online), I decided to go with the Mallet for my first set. They've lived up to my expectations. Their design is so simple, it makes me wonder why nobody else tried it before. There's just enough float to feel comfortable, but not so much that I feel loose. The big platform makes it easy to just stand up & take off on them in almost any shoe -- perfect for tooling around the city. If they don't clip in right away, all I need to do is wiggle my foot a bit and they'll engage within the next few strokes. Disengagement is easy enough, and just gets better as the cleats get worn in. For whatever reason, when new, each side disengaged more easily in opposite directions -- my right foot popped out nicely by pivoting my heel outboard, but my left foot was easiest if I pivoted my heel inboard. It may be related to my own physiology, but at least they're getting easier with use, and the left side now mostly behaves just like the right. My natural, preferred stroke has my feet pointed straight ahead, so their lack of adjustability doesn't affect me. Oh, and the cleats? When off the bike, I almost don't think about them. One thing about clipless pedals I've never liked seeing has been how walking becomes terribly awkward because of lumpy cleats and flat-bottomed hard shoes with no heel tread. When I got these, I also got a pair of MTB-style shoes, and the cleats' stack height is so small that they don't touch the ground unless the shoe flexes (or I walk through gravel). I've ended up wearing these shoes for the rest of the day after riding home from work, and I don't think I would do the same if the cleats were bigger. I liked the Crank Bros. system enough that I got a set of Quattros for the Bad Boy and removed the toeclip pedals from my Schwinn to make room for these Mallets. Highly recommended pedals for first-time clipless riders. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Grant
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: 5/4/2007 11:19:08 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | JM |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $20 |
| Purchased At: | Friend |
| Strengths: | Platform, easy to clip in and out. Look sick, work even better |
| Weaknesses: | Dont shed mud as well as some other pedals. But no by much. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Shimano, and Platforms. |
| Bike Setup: | 06 7point, super T, RS Pearl 3.1, CB Mallets |
| Bottom Line: | These pedals rock!!! If you cant clip in in a hurry you can always just use the platform. (Happened to me on a DH run) Super easy to clip in and out. I am having a problem with my right pedal the bearings are slowly deing on me. The pedals take hit like no others. Replaceable plates are sick. Buy them now! You can get the C versions for around 60 bucks right now. Best pedal I have ever rode. I will always ride CB from now on. I have mallets(dh bike), egg beaters (road bike). Really high quality pedals. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Michael Chin
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendoram, California, USA
Date Reviewed: 4/13/2007 8:39:34 AM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Purchased At: | Jensonusa |
| Strengths: | platform and easy clip in and out |
| Weaknesses: | weight |
| Similar Products Tried: | none |
| Bike Setup: | 07 stumpy fsr comp with xtr/xo drivetrain and mallet c pedals |
| Bottom Line: | Crankbrothers has awesome customer service and are very nice to talk to if there is a problem. I received responses to my e-mails within 3 hours each time. Only had problems with the screws holding the metal plates in. New ones were sent to me of no charge and I received them in 2 or 3 days! |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Chad Guyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Loveland, CO
Date Reviewed: 4/6/2007 1:42:46 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $100 |
| Strengths: | Easy engagement, disengagement, stylish looks |
| Weaknesses: | None |
| Similar Products Tried: | Shimano DX |
| Bike Setup: | 6x6 AM |
| Bottom Line: | I love these pedals, the big platform really helps in the rocky conditions we have here. It helps to have a little more platform when moving around, shifting body weight. I won't ride w/o them anymore. The best part is the price has come way down so now they are an excellent value, too. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Puyallup, WA
Date Reviewed: 2/17/2007 9:09:30 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Skookum Flats |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $55 |
| Purchased At: | Online |
| Strengths: | Simple durable reliable. The extra platform is nice if you miss the clip in getting restarted on a hill climb. |
| Weaknesses: | None. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Egg beaters |
| Bottom Line: | I've been using these for a while, no issues with function, construction or quality. Unaffected by mud or snow. Another plus is the rebuild kits (fresh bearings and seals). I continue to be impressed with the abuse these things can take. Smashed them into rocks, logs, etc. Lots of jumps / drops. The binding design is so simple, and very robust. Crank Bros. customer service is excellent. I've gone through a couple of sets of cleats over the years and used up the shims that go between the cleat and shoe (shims are to add space incase your shoe tread gets in the way). You get two pairs when you buy the pedals. Sent the folks at Crank Bros a quick email, more shims were in the mail the next day. By the way,the cleats are brass so they wear out before damaging the pedal binding. Better to replace the cleats than new pedals every few years. Just put a set of Mallet M's on my new 29er. It came with shimanos but I have been so pleased with the Crank Bros I put the mallets on before the first ride. I'm tempted to try the shimanos for comparison but like these too much. Highly recommended. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Sig Hilke
a Weekend Warrior
from Lopez Island, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: 2/3/2007 12:33:16 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Whistler BC, pick a trail... |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $65 |
| Purchased At: | don't remember |
| Strengths: | Very easy to clip into, no stupid adjustments like SPD. Pedals hold very well, even in mud and severe conditions. They are very forgiving on the knees and easy to get out of when you need to. |
| Weaknesses: | When riding in flat shoes the spring system pushes up and makes the pedal feel a little untrustworthy as far as traction. The small metal plates try to help, but they seem to be more for show. |
| Similar Products Tried: | I also have the Crank Bro Candys on my all mtn bike. I looked into clipless systems for a long time before comminting. I would only use the Crank Bros, or Time ATAC. |
| Bike Setup: | 2004 Ironhorse SGS Pro. Stock except for a smaller front chainring to get me up the hills, the Mallet Cs, spring kits on the Manitou stuff to dial in the suspension, and an Answer stem to get the cockpit feeling right. |
| Bottom Line: | Great pedals! I would recommend them to anybody that does a combo of freeride/downhill and all mountain. If you do the all mountain/XC combo look at the Candys, they're lighter. Only 4 chilis on the overall rating due to the platforms not feeling real solid in regular shoes (no clips). |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Nik Benko
a Racer
from Los Osos
Date Reviewed: 12/8/2006 10:27:15 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Purchased At: | my friends house |
| Strengths: | Easy in easy out Platform is awsome |
| Weaknesses: | Not ridable unless clipped in if wearying cleated shoes |
| Similar Products Tried: | none |
| Bike Setup: | 05 specialized hardrock with 2000 Judys mallot c pedals |
| Bottom Line: | They are my first clippless pedals (the name clipless still confuses me) They work great and i have only had them for 2 days but still easy to use |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
this guy
a Cross Country Rider
from massatusetts
Date Reviewed: 11/26/2006 9:55:03 AM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Purchased At: | online |
| Strengths: | LIGHT!!!(standard eggbeaters). Mud clearance: what mud? |
| Weaknesses: | You definitely can't be unsure whether you're in them or not at times. Too Lo-profile(again standard eggbeaters) |
| Similar Products Tried: | Standard eggbeaters are my first and (still) only clipless pedal. |
| Bike Setup: | Jamis Komodo, psylo, xt, mavic, race face. |
| Bottom Line: | You either love them or hate them. Those who aren't familiar are immediately drawn to them. I don't have the mallets but I kept reading about the cleats wearing down and just had a comment. Not sure if it's common knowledge but the cleat metal is intentionally softer than the pedals themselves. The idea being better to replace a pair of cleats than a worn pedal. That said, I'm on my original cleats now for three years. You be the judge. I'm building a freeride rig and am seriously considering the mallets. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Paul Matthes
a Weekend Warrior
from Colchester, UK
Date Reviewed: 11/18/2006 5:12:51 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $100 |
| Purchased At: | Thomas Cycle Revolution |
| Strengths: | Strong, well designed, pedal float. |
| Weaknesses: | Steel cages loosen far too easily. Why not use allen screws???? |
| Bike Setup: | Spesh Enduro |
| Bottom Line: | I don't get on with clipless pedals at all, but if I were going to use a set it would be these. They're very well designed, shrugging off filth and engaging easily. The platform is good too. The only criticism I have is that the steel grip plates go AWOL too easily, they are attached with a philips screw which can't be torqued enough to keep the plates in place. They really need an allen bolt fastening. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Nathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: 11/9/2006 4:47:24 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $65 |
| Purchased At: | Blue Sky Cycling |
| Strengths: | Very durable Simple and quick to get in and out of Mud is not a problem Work well without cleats |