pedals

black noise · Feb 2, 2006

All shoes should work with all pedals. Pedals all come with different cleats that screw onto the shoe. I think they're called cleats. It's the metal part that screws onto the shoe and lets you clip into the pedal.

Shimano makes their own system for clipless pedals (SPD), Time makes another, and Crank Bros makes another. None of these are interchangeable, you can't ride SPD pedals if you have Time cleats on your shoes.

konabiker · Feb 2, 2006

It's a matter of personal preferance. Ride them all and see what you like.

DHS · Feb 2, 2006

shimano dx, 647s, i have 4 pairs. only ****manyo product i own.
wont run anything else. i tried crankbros and time. not enough adjustment for me. and the 647s use the "xtr" latching part. never had a issue with mud yet. the older ones i sure had a ton of issues.

black noise · Feb 2, 2006

Seeing the amount of pros who are on Shimanos I think they're good pedals. SPDs usually aren't great with mud though. I have the Time pedals and they're great with mud.

One thing to keep in mind is that Times and Crank Bros are not adjustable. SPDs are. Try them out on bikes at a LBS or on your friend's bikes.

frznnomad · Feb 2, 2006

if i was you and i was to go clipless i would go with the mallets. ive heard nothing but good reviews about them. they work with every dh clipless style shoe out there, they are four sided entry, have a huge platform with pins so when you come unclipped you can still ride on them with traction, and there is a **** ton of mud clearence with them. i have never heard of anyone complaing of unclipping from a four foot drop with these pedals. acctually ive never heard anyone complain about them. i would say that is probly rider error but thats just my 2 sents.

if you want to make things easy i say go flats and get tioga mx love these pedals.

bomberboy11 · Feb 2, 2006

Take my word for it, you don't want non-dh clipless pedals for Santa Barbara riding. The platform helps immeasurably. Time pedals will have more side-to-side float and SPD's you have to keep your foot very straightforward in, so your riding style and weight distribution will play a large role. I really can't speak for mallets however, but I've been more curious about them lately.

bikerpunk98199 · Feb 2, 2006

dx or mallet c's the only thing is you cant ajust the pop out tension w/ the crank brothers and they take some time getting use to

bizutch · Feb 2, 2006

The interface between shoe and pedal is the MOST important part of this whole equation. With virtually every single shoemade, XC style, hiker style or BMX style sole...you need to clean out lots of material around the cleat with an exacto knife, wire cutters or whatever's handy. It makes all 3 of the brands mentioned work SO MUCH BETTER.

I reccomend ANYBODY using clipless for DH buy a BMX style shoe(SixSixOne, Lake, Oakley, Shimano, Answer, etc). It mates better, gives you a grippy wide surface to sit on the platform part without feeling like you've got PVC on your foot...and are in general more comfortable for hiking back up trails and getting your feet muddy, wet, etc. Plus they give you more protection than XC shoes.

Next, for ranking features
Mud
1. Crank Bros
2. Time
3. Shimano

Adjustability (Tie for 1st)
1. Shimano (tension only)
1. Crank Brothers (changes release angle from 15degrees to 20)
2. Time (most float but zero adjustment)

Durability - TIE (rocks win-no pedal wil beat a rock!)
3. Crank Brothers
3. Shimano
3. Time

Weight
1. Crank Bros (Mallet M is 100 grams lighter per pair)
2. Time - (Ti version)
3. Shimano

Engagement (personal preference-no winners)
Shimano is spring tilted rearward and rocks forward to click in
Crank Brothers engage from any direction (4 sided)
Time engage similar to Crank Brothers

Warranty (TIE)
Everyone I know, including my experiences with 2 of the 3 companies, has had good luck with repair items and replacement parts for all 3 brands.

How's that for unbiased? Do I get a MTB mag job now?

frznnomad · Feb 2, 2006

yes butch you win.

DirtyMike · Feb 2, 2006

i Personally like teh mallots myself. They give you enough twist that you can move around some without "Popping out" the celats are cheap. As far as what works with what shoe. All three cleat systems you listed will work on An SPD style shoe. Only mountain pedal that is different and requires an adapter is teh speedplay. Xc pedal for sure.

IF it helps i am a 250 lb rider and have no troubles with the mallots

manhattanprjkt83 · Feb 2, 2006

If you are going to go to clipless for DH get the mallets hands down. I was a LONG time shimano user up until last summer and i started riding a pair of mallets. They are incredible, i have since sold them for lighter weight pair of candy's (all mountain bike). But seriously, crank brothers stuff is really good.

zmtber · Feb 2, 2006

yeah im going ride the malets or the times myslef, oliver this is good for you look this guy weighs as much as you and he has had no problems

dhkid · Feb 2, 2006

the mallets give you loads of float, and cliping out isn't like the shimano where you snap out. i think you should just get the shimanos just to start coz then you can adjust the tension so get used to them their also cheaper. the crank bros will be really hard at first as they need to break in.
then again, i would say if you are going to drop that much cash for new shoes and pedals, why not just get 510 impacts? just my 0.02

SBDownhillRacer · Feb 2, 2006

what shoes would you recomend for mallets?

Wumpus · Feb 2, 2006

bizutch said:
Adjustability (Tie for 1st)
1. Shimano (tension only)
1. Crank Brothers (changes release angle from 15degrees to 20)
2. Time (most float but zero adjustment)

Depending which shoe you put the cleat on the Times offer the choice of 13° or 17° release angles.

bizutch · Feb 3, 2006

SBDownhillRacer said:
what shoes would you recomend for mallets?

for Mallets, definitely go with a BMX style soled shoe. You need the thin sole to be able to engage the cleat with the pedal.

SixSixOne Launch
Oakley Radar Lock
Shimano DX
Answer...something or other
Lake
Specialized

They all make a clipless with BMX sole. Even with the BMX sole, trim the rubber sole out around the cleat a little bigger around than a Ritz cracker. It keeps mud from clogging in the sole and makes it SO much easier to find the cleat.

AusRottenVirus · Feb 3, 2006

I really love my Time pedals. I have ridden the Shimanos and the Crank Bros. as well but the Times are the best, hands down. Also, I know Bizutch is all about the BMX style shoe but I prefer the XC style shoe. They are lighter, cooler with more airflow, shed mud better and they have a stiffer sole. I am a big fan of all SiDi shoes. They have the best quality and best fit. If you need ankle protection you should check out the Specialized Sawpit shoes. They are super comefortable.

bikenweed · Feb 3, 2006

Anyone make a carbon or stiff-soled version of an SPD compatible, skate style shoe? I love my carbon soled Shimano shoes but they are falling apart, and it wouldn't hurt to get some ankle protection. Those Addidas Hematoma's look pretty good. Only things I am really worried about are weight and stiffness. What are everyone's experiences with modern agro shoes?

wingman24 · Feb 3, 2006

Once you go flat, you never go back.........

wingman24 · Feb 3, 2006

yah, for freeriders like Sam Hill, and Chris Kovarik

biker3 · Feb 3, 2006

wingman24 said:
Once you go flat, you never go back.........

For all of us mortals who can't double up as NFL linebackers, clipless is the way to ride if you want to go fast. Name one guy with the exception of Pascal who isn't HUGE who can ride flats with the rest of the field? Pascal is prb the most technically sound and skilled rider on the WC so its fitting that he can hold his own but other than him name one person?

wingman24 · Feb 3, 2006

Sam Hill, Chris Kovarik,...................

MOTODH · Feb 3, 2006

wingman24 said:
Sam Hill, Chris Kovarik,...................

they are pretty strong I would say

DirtyMike · Feb 3, 2006

Any shoe will actually work with the mallots. Trick is to use teh spacers to get teh Cleat to fit Properly. I am Running shimano Carnons Myself... Expensive as crap....Wont be replacing with carbon this summer do to cost, that and i didnt see enough of a difference with carbon to make it worth while. Anyways with the Shimano carbons i needed 2 spacers when teh shoes were new. By the time i was ready for a second pair of cleats the sole wore enough to only need one, third and last set for teh shoe no spacer.

As far as adjusting on the Mallots.... there is no adjustment because its not spring tension that keeps you in the pedal. Its the cleat design and shape. If your Pulling out then One of two things is happening.
1. Your cleat is not spaced properly and the cage does not go all the way into place
2. Your cleats are worn out and you need new ones. this would be teh more common problem.
the cleats for eggbeaters Are made out of brass. they did this Due to the pedal being a NO adjustment pedal. that way it wears the cleat instead of the pedal. A good question to ask yourself is What do you do with your feet when you turn on Flats??? Do you cock your feet a bit on teh pedals or keep them straight??? If you turn and twist like i do, then you want mroe float so your not comming unclipped at Inoportune times. If you keep your feet straight then i woulld say get shimano with the 2-4 degrees of float vs Mallt/time with 10-15 degrees

bizutch · Feb 6, 2006

DirtyMike said:
.....
the cleats for eggbeaters Are made out of brass. they did this Due to the pedal being a NO adjustment pedal. that way it wears the cleat instead of the pedal. ....

FYI, Crank Brothers is specing the Mallets now with the harder metal cleat from the Quattro's now. THe super soft brass ones that originally came with the Mallet's were wearing too quickly. Those are what I'm running on mine currently and doing well.

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