SPD to CB...worth it?

felix.london

I'm thinking of changing my tried, tested and trusted Shimano M530 pedals and going for a set of Crank Brothers Mallets.

Anyone made this switch (or the other way) and can give me pro's and con's of each?

Had a short ride on a pair of Mallets over the weekend - I was wearing snowboard boots so can't really make a judgement call but they definitely felt like they had a much better platform to put down a few pedal strokes when not clipped in.

Any advice appreciated

lostboysaint

Yes.

The Mallets are:

- easier engagement
- more float
- easier to get out of
- have the platform and for support and should you "miss" an engagement (you won't)
- used by most of the top pros so well developed.
- have a 5 year warranty so the oft-mentioned "reliability" issues shouldn't be.....(I'm 98kg, have two pairs and haven't had a problem at all.

The Shimanos are:

- smaller

felix.london

Ha! Cheers.

Seems like about 90% of the guys & girls over here (French Alps) seem to use them

What's the difference between the 2's and 3's?..just weight? And if I bought a used pair I'm presuming I can just pick up a set of cleats and swap them with the SPD cleats on my current shoes (Spesh Tahoe)? Or should cleat and mech 'wear' together from new?

lostboysaint

No idea. I run two pairs of 2s. Although one are the older "DX" style, the others are the new slightly more rounded and plastic ones. I prefer the look of the older ones but both are fantastic in use.

You can pick up cleats anywhere. DO NOT be tempted to try running SPD cleats (some do) as you'll find that they can engage quite well but certainly don't disengage too well.

Also, when you get your cleats, you can set them up to release at a shallow or broader angle (can't remember what they are). I tend to set them up to release at the narrow angle as it obviously takes less movement and the pedals then start feeling like you're almost riding a flat, it's so easy to disengage for a dab etc.

felix.london

Cheers - all useful stuff. The price of the cleats by themselves almost makes it worth just getting a new pair of 2's from Bike-Discount (about £50) - especially seeing as you get that 5 year warranty.

lostboysaint

I've just found the CB Mallet 2 (mk2) box. The release angles are 15 deg or 20 deg. Basically you put them in different shoes to give the angle required (READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!).

felix.london

Ordered.



Cheers for your help.

bennett_346

Bit late now but i farking hate CB pedals. So easy to accidentally unclip given there's no tension, and they are badly made. My old pair farked up internally after just 6 months of light use and unwound off the crank arm mid alpine descent. Could of been worse cos thankfully i didnt fly off the hillside, but it did write my crank arm off and mess my leg and head up badly.

Never again.

dusk

I agree, I had spd's for years but thought I'd give some CB's a try, lasted a couple of months and went back to Shimano. I didn't have any reliability issues with the CB but they just feel awful IMO

bennett_346

They're sloppy, there isn't a positive engagement. Not good for DH if you ask me. It's a recipe for an accidental unclip waiting to happen.

Seriously if you still can, send them back.

felix.london

Ha! Great! Well like I say - most of the guys over here seem to use them so they can't be that bad and the five year warranty seems good. Can always go back to the SPD's if I don't get on with them but cheers for the heads-up

felix.london

CB's on...

http://thehairyrider.com/2013/04/22/pedal-dynamics/