Crank Bros Mallet C- opinions?

[capnsavem]

hey all

im looking to dip my toes into clipless riding...

i think i read on a previous thread that the Mallett C pedals are good for learning because i can transition out of the clip to a platform-style pedal if i wuss out... i think.

anywho, i'd like some opinions on these pedals, and if you think they'll work for what im attempting.

thanks

[tkblazer]

was hard to unclip out of with my sidi's... i am waiting on the new 08 model since they are pimp... jason (chumba) said the new model is easier to unclip out of compared to the old one

[capnsavem]

gotcha. thanks man.

dude... don't mean to get all mushy... but this is why i love this site.

i always get legit, no-nonsense, helpful responses.

i never get flamed for my noob ?'s.

*wipes single tear from cheek*

[Nagaredama]

I had trouble getting in and of mine until I used the supplied cleat shims.

Downside is I've bent and broken a spindle in spinning class. Upside Crankbrothers sent the parts to fix it no questions asked.

[Waldo]

Upsides:

• '07 Mallets are on sale everywhere right now at bargain rates (Jenson, Performance, etc), even the lighter Magnesium models
• Crank Bros good service
• Once properly shimmed and broken in, they are not hard to unclip from
• Platform add stability, especially if you wuss out like me and unclip often

Downsides:

• Still heavier than many options, even if you get the Mag version
• Lots of people have stories of needing to use Crank Bros good service
• Can be hard to unclip when new or not shimmed right

And yeah, the '08's are sweet: Stronger and lighter, with replaceable pins like a DH pedal. I rode Jason's and liked them a lot. But there are no discounts, and I'm not even sure anyone has them in stock yet.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by capnsavem

hey all

im looking to dip my toes into clipless riding...

i think i read on a previous thread that the Mallett C pedals are good for learning because i can transition out of the clip to a platform-style pedal if i wuss out... i think.

anywho, i'd like some opinions on these pedals, and if you think they'll work for what im attempting.

thanks

I think my SPD 520s (40 bucks?) were great for starting out. I go the sh56 (10 bucks?) cleats and set them a little loose at first. They were just tight enough to get the control and circular pedaling thing going, but i could get out of them very easily.

that should save you from doing the imperial walker plunge.

save your original cleats though cuz you're gonna want to go back.

[surlygal]

I'm very happy with my mallots! My bikes have had spd's for years. My most recent gift came with candy's and I hated them (just not used to that style of pedal). I was riding more often and riding more techincal trails and felt I needed to unclip and still have a platform. Dave from Adrenaline suggested Mallots - It was great advice!

Touching on the unclipping thing: They do need some breaking in

I'm still a newb but sure feel I have more control (when i'm unclipped and just using the platform). Once you've honed in your skills, upgrade if you feel the need.

[capnsavem]

now.. when you guys talk about them being "shimmed"... is this something i'll have to do after installing, as far as an added piece or modification?

[Liquid55]

Originally Posted by capnsavem

now.. when you guys talk about them being "shimmed"... is this something i'll have to do after installing, as far as an added piece or modification?

The pedals come with shims

[Rob]

I'd have second thoughts on using them due to stories of the spindles braking.

Check out the Time Z pedals.

[mottmcfly]

I've been using the Mallet Cs for the last year and a half and I have had no problems with them at all with the exception of re-greasing them. I like them because I can unclip for the hairy downhills that I'm just not comfortable doing clipped in and they still provide a solid platform in those situations. That being said I do have a friend that is a much more aggressive rider than I and he has broken more than his share of these. Each and every time they have sent him a new pair, no questions asked.

They are difficult to get out of when both the pedal and cleat are brand new but I seem to remember my SPDs being similar.

Hope this helps,

Mott

[davidB]

been thinking about these as well. any idea when the 08's come out? i think i'll hold off until then

edit: after some searching, of course the color I want are the most expensive ones (the 3's), but it does appear that you can order them on 12/4

[capnsavem]

thanks guys and gals.

i picked the Mallett Cs up @ Beyond Bikes this morning.

as usual, Zach came with the best damn customer service a guy could hope for.

plus, only 49.99 right now

[thebush]

You'll like `em! I have them on all of my bikes and love them. No problems and have been super durable.

[dudevf1]

I have one pair left but no longer ride with them. I like the same contact points on all my bikes so even had a pair on my commutter bike when I was learning to ride with clipless. I started with these for clipless because of the large platform for when I didn't want to be clipped in. However, over time I found this to a real a hindrance because the spring protudes enough such that my shoes would slide and not catch on the platform edges. Moreover, I actually found them difficult to get out of because they are difficult to get into, i.e., because of the platform I had to use both shims provided for each cleat so that my cleat could find a purchase, and not only that But I also had to shave off a portion of the bottoms of my shoes so that the cleat would reach the spring. I have a friend who shaved off enough rubber from his rear 2.3s so that he could fit it on to his Rockhopper, but I was put off by this kind of "labor of love". Because of the fit problems it was difficult get unclipped on technical uphill climbs. It developed a reflex reaction where I would curl up as best I could for a soft landing rather than wrench my knee trying to unclip. I think if you wear these with a shoe that has no tread protusions, smoothe bottom and you use the shims you'll have a good expereince, but I found it very difficult to unclip from them.

[ODB]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

was hard to unclip out of with my sidi's

sounds like you just need to trim your soles a little. after that, they're buttah.