What's The Best Enduro Pedal? Crankbrothers VS. Shimano MTB Clip Pedals | Eric's Test Kitchen ep.3

[@chrisfontaine6221]

I was on Shimano's for about 1 month until I broke both thumbs in a week of each other... took a few years to try Clipless again, I've been in love with Crankbros ever since... I just put a set of Mallet 11's on my Nomad

[@wumbobo]

HT pedals all the way

[@scottbraden14]

Same

[@MikeyV10]

Did you mention that CB cleats come in different release angles and that there is no tension adjustment on the CB pedals, and the cleats are made of brass so that they wear down instead of destroying your pedals ? And the pedal pins are the threaded adjustable type, you do end up screwing them mostly in though otherwise they tear up your shoe tread because of the float.

[@JankyEric]

I’ve personally found the stock cleats to be my preferred option

[@philn9205]

I recently went through a similar comparison but with Time vs Crankbrothers. Time Speciale 10 and 8 Pedals Small vs Crankbrothers Candy 7ti and Mallet Trail. I've been using Time for about a year and CB for about 4 years. At the end I leaned towards Crankbrothers with easy release cleats because of the "feel". Totally subjective personal preference. No issues with Time except I ran out of adjustment on the lose end and felt the Crankbrothers required less thought and effort to engage in steep terrain. Crankbrothers also sell a Ti Spindle kit (Q Factor 52mm) that come with needle bearings. They save ~30 grams per pedal. I recently installed this kit on my Candy 7ti essentially upgrading to Candy 11, but could not find the longer Ti Spindle kit for the Mallet Trail and Enduro.

[@Zyzzyx42]

I started with the original Shimano XT SPD M-747 when they came out. Including some DIY mods to get a bit of float. I was hooked, not going back to toe clips. When CB Eggbeaters came out (2001?) I made the change and never looked back. So simple, so easy. Used them on my mt bike for general riding and xc bits, on the commuter bike, and on the recumbent road bikes. Only just this last year have I moved to trying the Candy on my mt bike for a bit more support, still basically riding XC stuff. I like it, but can also feel the difference in not having 'four sided' entry, so I may change back to plain ol' Eggbeaters.

[@bikeguy6800]

I have a real problem with CB Mallet DH getting play in the spindle. I rebuild them with the rebuild kit and they are solid but only for 2-3 weeks and the play is back. My current set of Mallet DH have 900 miles (half a season) and the spindle is already starting to get play. I might try replacing the axle in addition to bushings and bearings from here on out.

[@JankyEric]

@@bikeguy6800 have you tried rebuilding them with needle bearings?

[@bikeguy6800]

not yet. I’ll give it a go this off season. I didn’t realize you could replace the axles either until I saw your video. Learn something new everyday. Thanks.

[@JankyEric]

@ cheers! Yeah the replacement axles are a great option for keeping pedals running longer

[@kyleapolczer]

Great video Eric! If you have the opportunity, you should try the Hope Union GC pedals. I rode Crankbrother mallets for years and swapped when the Hopes came out. Durability has been better and they offer a little less float but a more positive clip in feel, and have more tension to keep you from accidentally ejecting from the mechanism as well.

[@mrvwbug4423]

I tried CBs but could never get along with them, they're quite difficult to get out of. Been on the Shimano trail pedals for the last year and they work much better for me, easy to clip in and out. I would like a better platform feel, seems like SPD compatible pedals that have a floating clip like Xpedo and DMR might be the solution there, trick is just finding a set to try out before plunking down a big pile of money on them.

[@chrisfontaine6221]

My experience with shimano's was in late 90's early 2000's though, so they might not be so janky now. But the release never felt natural, and the no float is just a bad idea for knee longevity. I kept feeling hung up and falling over which is how my thumbsbroke

[@brookscurran]

Just switched back to crankbros again after at least 5 years on shimanos… the shimanos feel like you’re standing on ice in comparison and the newer xtr trail pedals kept exploding bearings and I bent a couple of the saint spindles. The older shimanos were far more durable in my experience.

[@JankyEric]

Hey Brooks! Yeah it’s a bummer that Shimano quality isn’t what it used to be

[@AppleJack76]

I rode SPD's for over 20 years. At 48, the Crankbrothers system just feels more ergonomic.

[@christopherchristophersen8495]

Thank you for high quality content! I run the Shimano Saint PD-M821 pedals, they are a huge step up when it comes to support and "platform" feel. You might concider try them?

[@godstrashman]

I really don't understand the saints. All of that material but your foot rests on almost none of it. The pins seem to have 0 purpose whatsoever. What am I missing? The shoes I've tried them worth are plenty deep

[@brookscurran]

Even with soft shoes it feels like you’re just standing on the cleats even with the large saint platform.

[@TheCrookedWheel]

I've been digging the Look MTB pedals lately. They're slightly larger than Shimano's and feel better underfoot, and I haven't had any issues with "accidentally" clipping out. They do require a larger cleat, so you can't just swap your pedals and keep the SPD cleat, even though they basically look the same. Been running them for about 18 months on some bikes so I'd say the reliability is so far on par with Shimano without any major cost difference. The "lightweight" versions are cheaper than XT.

[@ryansteiger6960]

Thank you for the video. Which do you prefer the mallet or the enduro?

[@JankyEric]

@@ryansteiger6960 Cheers! I prefer the maximum support of the Mallet DH on my DH and enduro bike and then on the trail bike I like the Mallet E. The Mallet E does have ever so slightly better clearance if you have a bike with a very low bottom bracket

[@Doggepp]

Super interesting vid! I somewhat recently "came back" to bikes after a few years hiatus. Having raced XC from I was like 7 years old to 20. Nowadays, I only ride for fun, and more gravity inspired. Having been on shimano pedals exclusively - I wanted to try Crankbrothers. And I did, for about a year - But I could never get along with them. I had both mallet e and eggbeaters. Even after a year, I could barely clip in to the pedals - I cant find the spot where the cleet clips in, and it sometimes took me like 10 tries. Switched back to shimano, and I have never missed a clip-in. Its something about shimano, you can just "kick" the pedal, and the front of the cleet hooks in instantly. I do agree that as a pedal, the crankbrothers is A LOT better. But the clip mechanism I like shimano more. Currently use XTR's on the xc bike, which are fine. And saints on the enduro. I still feel like the pedal/platform on the saints are lacking. So I will try some aftermarket pedals instead, that uses a SPD standard in the middle.

[@mrvwbug4423]

There are some SPD compatible pedals out there with floating clip mechanisms, Xpedo and DMR both make them, I think that would give a better platform feel with the ease of clipping in and out that you get with SPDs. Been wanting to try a set, but don't want to spend the money on them if they don't work out.

[@Doggepp]

@ I have looked at the DMR ones. But also at some from 612 parts that look good. But I think i’ll wait for the new Leatt stuff to come out. Their new pedals look amazing. Seems to be a good platform, and spd standard

[@dkone1746]

How often are you guys replacing cleats on the crank bro pedals?

[@JankyEric]

@@dkone1746 I’m replacing mine once every 6month with riding almost every day in sometimes very muddy conditions. I think most riders would get a year out of them.

[@pbls43]

I have both pedals ( XT Trail Shimano and CB Mallet DH) the mallets work great with CB shoes but with the Fox shoes not so much,tried allt he cleat spacers combination and can´t make it work like it should

[@alexandreb.5572]

i have both i ran shims for like 3y and then try crank for snow cause i live in high altitude anyway and love the feel everything i agree with you but now I feel flloat on crank that i really don't like and with the ht you can replace many parts the cleats are in steal and you can change the tension on them really love them i bought a set of ht t2 en and x3 basically best of both world i encouraged you to try them btw i m not sponsored

[@chckn0078]

Bs you get a season out of crankbrothers cleats. Max they last 1 month before if feels like shit

[@JankyEric]

Maybe you hike a bike more than I do 🤷‍♂️ I ride 4-5 days a week and get at least 3-4 months before they start to get loose.