Product Reveiw/Crank Brothers Mallet Shoes and Pedals

#richdrew #areyouready #therideseries
There's no shortage of mountain bike shoes on the market and I've had the pleasure of wearing a decent amount of them. The ‪@crankbrothers‬ Mallet shoe might just be the most comfortable one I've ever slipped on my feet. Combined with their Mallet pedal, the "Match" system has proven to be pretty legit for me the last few months.
I have a few important criteria when it comes to MTB Shoes:
1) Looks - These look AWESOME! I'm down to sacrifice a bit of comfort for better looks. Not everyone feels that way, I get it. Good news is that you don't have to sacrifice comfort with these babies! The contrast with the blue accents is also legit!
2) Fit/Comfort - I still want my shoes to be comfortable and thankfully these things are just that! I'm also not a fan of bulky shoes and these things are the least bulky MTB shoe Ive ever worn. It was funny, when Sarah slid hers on for the first time she said "They feel like normal shoes!" I couldn't agree more. I also dig the speed lace style system and the velcro strap. I rarely touch the speed lace and only modulate the velcro strap to put the shoes on and tighten them as I ride. I normally wear a size 12 and these things fit great!
3) Walkability - This is HUGE for us! We need to think about walking around in shoes during Clinics and filming. These things have been awesome for both situations.
4) Durability - We've been working these CB Mallets over pretty hard for a few months now and I'm happy to report that they are still in incredible shape. I'm particular about washing them every couple of rides and I let them dry out in the sun after each ride.
Now, how do they match up with the pedals? Well, pretty damn good is my answer! It was a bit of an adjustment coming from the HT T1s, especially when it comes to engagement and release. These CB Mallets don't hold you in quite as strong as the HTs dialed in super tight, but I've found I don't need that out of these. The upside is that there is considerably more of a "platform" feel with the Mallets.
My final verdict is that I'm a big fan and I've switched over completely at this point. I've done everything from longer XC style rides to bike park duty and the shoe/pedal combo has been great!
Please drop any questions you have below in the comments, I'm happy to provide any insight I can.
My SWEET bike: us.yt-industries.com/products...

[@okayatbikes1909]

Just the review I needed to hear! I’ve been running mallet2s with my 510 kestrels. I love the pedals, but the shoes are wearing and the tread doesn’t give me confidence when have to walk on or around the trail- especially those sections that are probably easier to ride than walk (especially with a bum knee). The good folks at Mojo suggested these shoes and I’m stoked to hear so many positives! I love that color combo too! Thanks for the review!

[@sebsdeal7244]

Drew always looking fresh and swagged out! Love it, nice Job ✊🏾

[@pkvillager]

I love Crank Bros, I have been running their Candy pedals for over 10 years with no maintenance. Running their cranks right now as well for a year, great company and products!

[@mikesclimenti235]

I’ve been using the BOA version for this shoe for almost 2 years and the Mallet E LS pedals for 4 years and love them both!!! Best feeling MTB shoes I’ve even worn.

[@_nezard_6959]

Как у них с размером не маломерят?

[@westhoefer]

Hi, I have switched to clipless pedals as well. I bought the CB Mallet-E pedal/Shoe combo. I have pretty f....d up feet, so I am alway very picky when it comes to new shoes, especially shoes I am going to be wearing on epic rides. The shoe was pretty comfortable right out of the box. To break them in asap I did put the shoes in the oven at 80 degree for 15 minutes. They became pretty soft, I put them on with to pair of thick socks and laced them up. I walked a couple of hours on lawn in my garden. Perfect fit! The Shoe/Pedal combo works great, clipping in is not a problem at all. The shoes came with the golden 15 degree cleats installed. Another set of the same cleats came with the pedals. So it will last for a while.

[@erikherbert6759]

Rode the Mallet E pedals with 5.10 Hellcat shoes for a couple seasons and found clipping out to be VERY sensitive to the thickness of the traction pads (and height of the screws). Not a problem as long as you know to play around with both. About a month ago, the RT pedal spindle catastrophically snapped in half (landing a small jump) where the spindle meets the pedal body. There was no excessive play in the pedal or any indication that the failure was imminent. In all fairness to Crankbrothers, I am at the top end of the weight limit, about 265 lbs. Another contribution factor to the failure may have been the bigger Q-factor. Switched to the HTX3 for now - loving them so far.

[@erikk.2435]

Same system I run and love it. I have the Boa shoes.

[@noahwilson2719]

Couldn’t agree more! I’ve been riding the Mallet e pedal for 4+ years. First 3 we’re on 5/10s. This year I picked up the Mallet BOA shoe (differs slightly from the Mallet e shoe as the cleat can be positioned slightly more back). Best bike shoe I’ve ever worn for all the points you made in the video. The pedals are great, if you happen to miss the cleat on a sketchy area of trail, you still have grip and a platform to place your foot on.

[@mountainbikingaz7261]

Glad I saw your comment. I've been riding with the mallet shoe and the mallet trail pedal and was on new trails this morning and couldn't get my foot in quickly on a harder section, then I felt like I didn't have enough of a platform to fall back on. Was thinking about switching to the full mallet pedal to help with that.

[@noahwilson2719]

@@mountainbikingaz7261 you certainly could. But truly the more you ride with them you will learn right where that cleat clips into the pedal. When I am in a pinch and don’t get it clipped, to help improve shoe/pedal connection slide your shoe just slightly forward to you get rubber on the pedal spikes.

[@KlintonSilvey]

I had a lot of scary falls in bad places when I was on xt spd trail pedals. Switched to CB mallets back in 2017 and have never not been able to unclip in an instant since. Not to mention they are light years better when it's muddy and you need to hike a bike and get clipped back in

[@johndef5075]

I had the Candy pedals and they worked alright but I always bent the beater part on them. Back to spds.

[@jonathanangieri153]

I bought those exact shoes size 12 last year and I love them! Im hard on shoes and can usually never get em to last a whole two seasons but mine have been flawless and still going strong. I recently switched back to flats but anytime i go back to clips it takes almost no time until im used to them. Ive only tried the CB Mallet pedals and ive been wanting to try out the HT trail/enduro pedals. I think the all silver ones lookin sweet as well

[@javierpena5186]

I have 2 questions. Can't you use these shoes with flat pedals also? Did they run true to size? I am normally 11.5. Regards.

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

So i have both the stamp and the mallet shoes. Both are rad. I cant say i ever got used the actual crank bros mallet E pedals though…. I always had difficulty getting out. Sooooo i just ride the familiar XT trail pedals. Either way GREAT shoes

[@markdohmeier288]

I switched over to the crank bros system about a year ago and love it. Mallets with flats and Candy’s when clipped. It was really more about comfort then anything for me. Was anxiously awaiting your review of them. Wanting to try the e mallets for more platform. Noticed you were running the “long spindle” version of the e mallet pedals. Thoughts on the 5mm longer spindle versus standard?

[@mcarb007]

Curious as to how you set up the pedal pins with these shoes. Did you screw them in flush or leave all or some of them exposed. Thanks!

[@michaelcary7580]

I run the mallet els and have smashed them into rocks hard and still look brand new. I am wondering what is going on with your Jeffsy with flight attendant?

[@edensgardenshed9622]

I just got these and every time i test to try them out the outer traction pads keep falling off and now i think they are loose and need replacing. Haven't even ridden on bike yet. Could be because i use 510 kestrel shoes. Maybe it rubs them weird? Should i glue them with something?

[@scottg9229]

I am running SPD pedals and if I crash unexpectedly I always come out without injury from not clipping out. Will the crank brothers do the same thing in the event of a crash?

[@robindale9319]

How about for wider feet? Do they feel narrow

[@DerekWegmann]

Has anyone used the enduro version for downhill riding? Considering buying these over the DH version.

[@javierpena5186]

Can you use these shoes with flat pedals also? Did they run true size? I am 11.5.

[@petedog9581]

I always ride Crank Bros. pedals and have the Mallet E's. They are worth the $150 bucks. The shoes are overpriced in my estimation. I can buy 3 pairs of Peal Izumi AlpX all mountain shoes for 1 pair of these. They are rugged, light, and the dry really fast while on the trail. I get about 3 Spring- Fall riding seasons out every pair. I put my $ into sweet Shimano winter riding boots. Those were worth the $ 150 for sure.

[@D1PP1N]

HT to Crank bros and shimano is there a platform that is easier to upclip from if your new to clipless? I would think the one that was easiest to unclip from would be the go too to start with. I think if your cleat height to pedal on the crankbrothers has some significance on if you can twist your foot with the flat oedal spikes on the clipless pedals.

[@lukasbormann4830]

Shimano. You can adjust the tension and can set them pretty easy to rip out off

[@KlintonSilvey]

I had spds when i started and even loose i fell a lot because of unclipping issues. Switched to CB and never had another problem

[@jaworq]

@@KlintonSilvey how often do you need to the pedal service on these Crank Brothers?

[@KlintonSilvey]

@@jaworq not very. Maybe 1 time per 9mo-year. Just take apart and regrease. Still running some from 2017

[@jonjustinlanier]

Can you put shimano cleats in them if you prefer spd pedals?

[@dg_156]

Yes

[@Phen0mable]

Do they make soft shoe soles for clips ?

[@NH-il6uc]

How does the sizing compare to 5-10s? Order the same size or no?

[@tonybaker5530]

I’m gonna go clipless!

[@Striveon247]

How tall are you? And size is that Izzo?

[@marks4191]

For someone new to clips cb or spd?

[@psychkub]

I'd go with crankbrothers - there is greater amount of float and the release mechanism is easier to get out of.

[@Lutze3D]

Hmm, I don‘t trust them… I tried the mallet e pedals with 5.10 hellcat shoes 2 years ago. Found it quite hard to unclip and even harder to clip in…. I remember so many dumb crashes only because I didn‘t came out fast enough. Made me switch to shimano saint spd‘s. Never had any problems since then. Maybe the wrong pedal/shoe combo? I still don‘t know… Honestly the crankbros look cool, but I just can‘t trust them anymore.

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

My thoughts exactly

[@Lutze3D]

@@themiddleagemasher8108 good to hear I‘m not alone 😅

[@JJMassar]

That’s a skill issue… 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JasonFoxLCB]

It's not that I don't care, it's that I...okay, fine. I don't care. Cool shoes, though. I put elastic laces in all my athletic shoes.

[@jaworq]

crank brothers are terrible at service. Dirt goes in too quick. Ppl say you need to to the pedal service once a month.... Now, me with my DH Shimano Saints for 3 years without a service laughing. They still spin like on day 1. Saint pedal seals are the best.