Crankbrother Mallet vs Shimano SPD: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide 

I should have bought these pedals..... Affiliate link to the product featured amzn.to/3MJajpH

I would highly recommend the shimano multidirectional release cleats for anyone starting out. The SM-SH56 make it easier to get out , so you can tighten the pedal for a more secure connection.

Have been riding Crank Brothers Mallet E LS pedals for over a year now and have zero issues with them. Not sure what everyone is doing that they have to rebuild them every few months. I have had nothing but a fantastic experience with them. Only had maybe 2-3 situations where I couldn’t unclip in time, but it was more user error than anything.

using shimano SPD for the last 8 years since this far I did mostly muscular XC (hopefully on emtb soon) I set them super easy to unclip and you want to to because I've got a live example of what happens when you can't unclip, a colleague has the bone above is ankle doing an S shape almost 90-90° after he fell on large rocks and stayed clipped open fracture >< he was a candidate for a disability pension but chose to continue working it's something you can't unsee, I still use clips because when you do 15-20% uphill it helps so much but I unclip every downhill I do, I believe the Shimano saints offer the best of both worlds but I haven't tried them yet

I had a similar experience with Crank Brothers pedals. I've tried a lot of different makes of clipless pedals, and I feel there's too much sacrificed in the design of the CBs. I've also tried with and without platforms, and found basically no difference in feel with Egg Beaters versus Mallets, or steel versus crmo vs titanium. Tension is high and the bars create high pressure spots through most shoes that you need a back plate under the cleat to solve. I say most shoes, but even my serious super stiff carbon racing shoes let those pressure points though. I really wanted to like the Crank Bros pedals, so I gave them more than a fair shake. My favorite clipless system is the TIME ATAC, which is basically the good version of Crank Brothers'. It is an older design, but takes all of the good points of both the types you tested here in my opinion. Fully adjustable, easier entry and exit, but still more secure and smooth feeling than SPD. I actually use Speedplay Frogs (my second favorite, but a bit different feel so more learning curve) right now because I keep giving away my TIME pedals to friends who want to switch to clipless! SPD is also a great choice due to the universal nature of it, though! It's on lots of bike trainers and rentals, so you can bring your shoes and clip in almost anywhere when traveling.

Mate, an ebike with clips is going to be more noticeable if you unclip accidently, simply because it's so much heavier than an normal mtb. I got my first SPDs in 1992, I've used many iterations, I like Saints now, but I also like Mallet DHs. I thrashed the sh*t out of my CBs, no issues. My only minor grumble was that you need to change your CB cleats quite regularly compared to SPDs. Cheers.

I made the mistake of trying to learn clipless on CB Mallet Es, like you I have some range of motion issues with my ankles and I can't get out of em to save my life. They felt great when you were clipped in, but if you don't have perfect range of motion on your ankles forget it. Am considering trying some flavor of SPD at this point since I'm tired of going through 2-3 pairs of $160 Five 10s a year and shredding my shins.

Interesting take. Once you get used to shimano you can crank up the tension. Accidental release is thrilling, not in a good way, but goes away with good cleat position and tension. You gotta find your natural neutral foot angle and translate that to the cleats neutral. I have ridden many mfg of clipless since the mid 90's and usually end up back on shimano. That said after a hiatus from riding I am giving CB another revisit.

I have been riding clips since the early 90s. I have ridden most clip pedal brands over the years. CB is the worst. In technical riding (lots of rocks) they release when you bang a rock on the bottom of the pedal. They are nice in mud and snow. My ankle does not rotate far enough to get out easily even with the cleats rotated on the shoe. SPDs are better but are horrible in mud and snow. I could not get the exact release feel on the SPDs I wanted so I took a Dremel grinder to the cleats. After a couple of tries (cleats are cheap) I got the float and release I wanted. Do not loosen the SPD release point too much, premature release. Tinker with the cleat angle on the shoe. My favorite was Speedplay Frogs but they are not made any more.

I’ve been riding spds for years, I use to run the eggbeaters and candys (same clip in mechanicanism but no frame and small fram around the pedal respectively) and I’ve had at least 4 pairs pop off the spindle on the start line of races, I’d be curious to see how the mallets hold up long term if you ride them more

Ur underrated my guy great vid

If you had no float then you probably had the wrong cb cleats for staring out. They have a range of cleats for different riders. Not running any float, unless your racing, will damage your ankles and knees

I bent 3 pairs of Candys. The beater part. Shimano Ive never bent. And they work just as well. Plus the cleats are way more durable.

Are you in WA/OR area? That looked like the Klick trail.

If you are a beginner at "SPDs", you should put more time into them. PROS/Some RU-vidrs/Some influencers use what they are paid to ride, and talk about. You compared a Shimano Trail Pedal, against a DH pedal (CB Mallets). You should have tried the "new" Saint or the old and thrusthworthy M636. I have those XT pedals and also the new Saint and old M636, and the XT are only a little better than tradicional XC pedals. If you want to FEEL support, you must go Saint. One thing it's worth saying, is that Mallets (and old Time Attack) are excelent on muddy terrain. On dry trails, I prefer Shimano, because it's possible to tune the spring, they are ubber inexpensive, and applying Shimano on multiple bikes, can make a big difference. Regarding reliability and pedal Life, let me say I have a M525 from 1994, and are still use! Once in a while open, new lube, and continues working 😊

I tried clipless, but it feels weird. Also I can't remember the last time I slipped on my flat pedals, even on my DH bike.

I ran the Shimano max out.

With clipless you're eventually going to eat it, when you're younger it might be worth it, but when you're older it's not.

both are great , but i like crank brothers more

Crankbrothers*

and here i am lol - stiff pedals and a hard tail. i dont like things the easy way.

Crank 1 Shimano 0

It's actually "all of a sudden" not "all of the sudden."