NEW Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Pedal Review | Can It Rival The Bombproof Shimano SPD? 

Henry, please dive into more products like this. This pedal review is super helpful with all the details and explanations.

Super glad to see you on the screen again! You were definitely my fav presenter on GMBN!

I’m running the mallet DH on my enduro and DH bike. Absolutely love them.

Thanx again for another amazingly informative and straight forward info and opinion... your the man.. keep up the great content as always... Cheers/Kudos

one of the best videos ever / so informative and well said. thank you !!!

Glad to hear your enjoying the best coast.

The Shimano Pd-m520 is one of the greatest mtb products of all time. Super cheap, mega reliable and absolutely bombproof !

More Henry Reviews- yay!

Dude so cool, I was considering clip less petals so this helped!

Lookin' forward to more!

Great Review!!

I got a pair of Candy pedals with a bike purchase in 2009. Still use them and love them. I use regular cheap SPD compatable style shoes with the pedals on all models of bike! Terrific!!

been riding mallets for years, love them. I have them on my mtb and gravel bike

Excellent video Henry!! I've never really considered clipless on either my EMTB or Gravel bike..... After watching this I am now..... Thanks for the dilemma 😂😂👊

love the video! I've been on the fence about shimano vs crankbrothers

Nice to see this type of review on Pinkbike! And I like how long and thorough it is, good job :) I also like that it contains Henry’s personal preferences, even though they are not the same as mine - It’s just something we can calibrate to as we watch the video and form our own opinions. For me it’s Shimano XT - trail on my Trail bike, XC on my XC bike. Not because there are no better options, just because SPD was the first system I learned to use, and I see no reason to change as I’m pretty much fully statisfied with the feel and durability. Keep these videos coming pls :)

I haven't used Crank Brothers in years. I gave up on them around 2008 because they release on rock strikes, snapped the egg beater mechanism on a set of candies, and snapped the axle on a set of mallets. Meanwhile, I have had the same pair of Shimano XT pedals on one bike for 15 years and another set of XT pedals with a larger platform on my my enduro bike that is about 5 years old. Shimano are cheaper and better.

Wahoooo. Love new video day!

I got a set of mallet trails and I love them. I did a review on them a while back when they first came out. I used to use the crank brothers candy pedals on my mountain bike as my main pedals and still have them as a back up. I never had to replace my mallet trails, just my cleats as they wear down.

I agree with most of this and love the mallets for enduro. I use the candys for trail and get on fine with them. My biggest gripe is how soft the metal of the cleat is - if you do any track walking where there are rocks they wear away very fast. Please someone bring out some steel aftermarket ones!

I too was once SPD positive. But I got over it with a dose of One-Up flats. There are times I miss being clipped in such as bombing through a really chattery rock garden. But I actually think I get a net benefit from flats. The thing is, if you bomb through a rock garden with clips, you aren't expecting your feet to lose the pedals. So when it does happen, it's pretty catastrophic. Whereas on flats, I'm fully aware that my feet can come off so I'm ready for it. And my feet don't come off anyway because I focus on keeping them on. Even so, your description of the Mallet characteristics does intrigue me. I had the SPD downhill pedals because I wanted more support but I don't think they provided any while clipped in. Which is probably why I went to flats and haven't thought about going back. There is just such a large barrier to entry to test out any clipless pedal system. So even though I'm interested, it's probably not going to happen.

I’m using the new Hope Union Gravity pedals and really like them. Great platform for support, loads of pin options and definitive engagement/release. Worth a look if you’re in the market for new clipless pedals

I just ordered a pair of these today . I've been super happy using the Long Spindle E-Mallet pedals on my MTB for about three years now, so I thought I would give these a try on my new YT Szepter. I have a couple of sets of Shimano pedals. An XTR set that I've had a long time and have been using on several previous gravel bikes that I've had and also an XT set that I've had for backup . Great pedals but I have been having an occasional sketchy slip issue on the carbon mid-soles with my shoes of choice (SIDI Drako) Anyway, I'm hoping that the BIGGER and potentially Grippier Mallet Trail platform with help out with this issue as well as provide a little wider and more stable stance in general. I decided to sell my Canyon Grizl and replace it with the Szepter because it can be ridden more like an MTB. Crank Brothers is local to me in Southern California, so I'm happy to support a local business. This may also simplify my Shoe/parts/compatibility situation....which may be a good thing. My XT set are up on Pinkbike Buy/Sell at $40 bucks. They are in great shape.....If all goes well with the Mallet Trails, I'll be selling the XTR set as well.

I've run Mallet Enduro for a while. Bought a new pair for my trail bike a few days ago. When I saw these had been launched, I had a moment of regret... then I saw them and I thought "woh. they're Candies with 4 pins that don't touch, hard pass lol", which was further reinforced by what was said here. Good review, thanks!

Something to consider with crank bros. The way the spring is designed, you can get unclipped from a super light pedal strike, where as shimano has separate mechanisms for each side, so that doesn't happen. Just my experience living in New England, where pedal strikes are really common.

Timely review, I’m currently looking at suitable pedals for my forthcoming Atherton AM. 130….a few changes from standard, lighter wheels, Fox Factory 34 fork etc. looking for a trail ‘light’ bike that I can use for xc single track and light trail riding (Down Country?) Love the Egg Beaters on my other bikes, following your review I think I’ll be going for the Crank Brothers Mallet Enduro. Big thanks for the review…great help.

I learned a thing or two from Levy, like running cross country pedals on my enduro😁

Moved from the new unreliable XTR TRAILS to the new LOOK X-Track Ti pedals. Bomb proof and super reliable

So at the risk of starting something, every single Crank Bros pedal I've ever used has ended up with a bent axle. Stopped using them years ago. Not had any bent axles with Shimano, Burgtec or Hope pedals.

I've used both and went back to Shimano after bending the egg beater mechanism on my Candies with a rock strike, and not really liking the variable release of the Candy 2s that I replaced them with. Went back to XT trail on one bike and the Look X-Track carbon on my other. The Look uses the SPD cleat, so I don't have to change shoes, and I got to say, I think I like the Look better than the Shimanos. Now, if Speedplay would only start making the Frog again...

Hopefully now that the shimano patent is up, we can get the best of both worlds. An spd with full support when you’re clipped in would be pretty awesome for hella long descents.

With my size 14 (US) shoes, I just use the Mallet DH pedals on all of my bikes. I could benefit from an even larger platform.

I’m here watching even though I dislike riding in clips. Can’t get over the fear of feeling like I’m stuck to the bike and hold myself back from hitting the downhills at speed

Great review! Personally I will always choose shimano XTR or XT (race for XC and trail for trail and all mountain) I have been using shimano for 18 years on rod and MTB and I can’t see changing to other type of pedals. Like sidi road and MTB shoes. Or fizik saddles. I am a believer that you should stick with what your feet, etc. feels comfortable and stick with it that pedal, saddle, shoes, etc. don’t get into the manufacturers new type of new is better. One thing I would like to mention is that shimano pedal platform is specifically made for the rotation of your feet to provide power transfer when pedaling and you should not use the front part of the pedal. If that makes sense. Always pedal your stroke front back toward the center of your feet never forward. So this is why the shimano pedals for MTB are made this way. Unless I am wrong :) 😅

Been running Time pedals for years and years and years. Mountain and road. Never had an issue.

My problem with Crankbrothers is the variability in force required to unclip. Sometimes it's easy and other times it doesn't want to let go. Not something I've seen with Shimano.

Thanks for the egg beater ad … now time to talk about the Chromag Pilot and Pilot BA!! I jumped in front of the crowd to order the Pilot BA in an unorthodox upgrade to up my SB130 LunchRide game! By by Mallot! The Pilot has a full size platform like a Scarab flat AND literally allows me to pivot my foot on the pedal while I am still clipped in. And how do I know it works so early in the season with all this snow? I have been pounding Alberta trails on studded tires with my trail bike and Shimano MT700 Gortex shoes. Did I mention the SPD cleat fits in the Chromag Pilot? For those searching for lighter weight … the regular Pilot is a lighter version. Shop local my Canadian clipless friends! #go

I'm a big fan of Crank Brothers Pedals. I ride an eBike now so I changed to the Mallet E instead of my light weight Candies.....I put Ti Spindles in them to make them as light as possible...works great for me...The Mallet E's just have more stability for a heavier bike than the Candies do...

Despite the early egg beaters having bearings made of butter I still persevere with them on both MTB and my road bike which does about 5000k per year. The eggbeater 3 are great and I can wear 1 pair of shoes for all bikes.

I prefer the Crankbrothers Double Shot 3 as a trail pedal and sometimes I'll swap out the Mallet Es on my Yeti SB140 if I know I'm going to be riding something super technical where I don't want to be clipped in. I have the Candies on my gravel/cyclocross bike.

I have had two set of mallet e pedals, both of which needing rebuilds. CB was great about sending me a kit for free, but I soon worn those out. The bushing/bearing combo just doesn’t last in comparison to Shimano. Which I can’t seem to wear out. Otherwise, I like CB clipless float better than Shimano. And their shoe I’m still rocking after 6k!

I run Candies on all of my bikes (including my road bike) and have never had any issues with those.

Would love to try egg beaters, but it's going to be a while when I'm 3 pedals sets and 2 shoe pairs deep into the SPD ecosystem.

His voice suits well national geographic.✌️ so calm and melow

Have crankbros on mtb and road bike too. Great to not need two sets of stuff.

I think many that are flat pedal users are more likely to choose the Crank Brothers pedals. The Shimano SPD users will just use the XT or XTR trail pedals. I don’t see Shimano users changing to these new pedals from Crank Brothers.

If I am clipping in I am on a SPD, if I am riding flats I absolutely love my C/B Stamps. I have a set of Mallet DH and a set of Candy's and they are nice, but strongly prefer the SPD. Never had a problem unclipping on SPD, but two of my worst crashes were from crashes on CB designs. The float never feels consistent, and sometimes I unclip and reclip because I can't really tell if I am in them or not. I ride flats about 70% of the time, so maybe I just need to spend more time clipless to really enjoy the Crankbrothers.

I always bent the retention bars holding the cleat. Tried them because a bike I bought had them but went back to Shimano SPD.

I would choose Time Atac.

I have been on CB for over two decades. I have a single complaint: hitting a root with the bottom of the pedal could mean unclipping. Happened to me few times over the course of 20+ years of riding them, so I guess we are good :D

My goodness this is good

I have a ~25 year old pair of Ritchey SPD pedals still in service and going strong along with a couple of pairs of Shimano SPD pedals and a generic SPD clone (which will probably be the first to die due to poor bearing sealing but is going strong for now). Why would I change over to something that seems to have a reputation for unreliability? I guess I'm SPD positive too!

As a shop tech, I've rebuilt 100s of CB pedals... Maybe 5 Shimano..

Excellent ;o)

I use SPD on my road and mountain bike.

I did use the plastic candy ones, I prefer Shimano with sm 56 multi release cleats, yes foot can come off with lower springs force and pushing hard in climbs but feet come off easily if needed like preventing a fall It’s like a mix of flat and clipless pedals, suits my needs But I understand that it might not be suited for gnarlier rider

Time works like the crank brothers... Other than iffy quality, I love them.

I try crank bros and I go back to Shimano..it's easy to clip and unclip in the same position.

Time pedals, best of both, no compromise!

Not shure what to get was thinking saints with the shimano green trail shoes ... need a pedal that only has clips on one side

What shoes does Henry have in this video?

I quite like this style. Little ramble with a lot of info

I had a candy axle snap on me, not used crank bros since, but I have been on flats for a while. I'm tempted back into clipless and I love the easy of entry of crank bros, but I'd rather not slit my calf open on a snapped axle

flats for life man

Funny thing is, I find clipless LESS of a direct connection to the bike. Flats have zero float.

Skiing gives you a pole in each hand to beat back children 😂😂😂😂😂. I'm dying..😂😂 dying

Can you use these with shimano me7 shoes?

Shimano uses bearings on both ends of the pedals, most others pedals including CB use a bearing and a bush, I always found the bushes to wear out within a year, I haven't changed a shimano pedal bearing for 3 years,

HT pedals similar to the Shimano Trail but slightly lighter. Check out HT !!

We'll see, in about 10 years or so, in my experience with Shimano I can safely say all bearings will be almost as new, I recently opened up a bottom line hevely used 6yr old 530 and upon inspection grease was as new, proceeded to close it and forgot about it. By comparison I've seen some fellow MTBikers CB bearings explode in those 6yr, but maybe this time CB got it right.

Would be fun if crank bros had power pedals

I bought the shimanos to dip my toes in clipless on my stationary bike. I used 1 spacer and can feel the clip hitting the ground when walking on them. Is that normal? I find them difficult to clip into which is why i but the spacer in so i can get it to catch easier. Any tips/suggestions? The crankbrothers look easier to get into. I also dont like the metal on metal feel.

I just got mallet E 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?

I just wish Crank Brothers would design a multi release pedal

The best solution is neither SPD nor crank brothers, if you want the best MTB clipless pedal look no further than HT, regardless of discipline you have the M2, the T2 or the H3, better mud clearing than Shimano, a tension adjusts that actually works unlike Shimano but still have that very positive click in and distinct end to the float, so you know when you about to unclip unlike crank brothers who are very vague as to when you are in or about to come out of the pedal.

HT T1 and T2 pedals all the way.

So personal.... the "which clipless pedal" debate. This is a great review. My opinion..(this is all opinion) Hopetech smash it, you get best of all worlds.. Spd ease in, yet springs u out. for me, yes... personal opinion, but it's for me a game changer. + using steel cleats and any platform u desire Hope can deliver. just my thoughts and experiences. I've sold all my other systems (Spd and cc Mallet) and now solely use Hope. Again, purely a personal opinion from 20 years of MTB..

Crankbrothers break all the time... the bearings and axel interaction design is terrible. They end up being very expensive to run. There aren't just 2 brands to choose from. Time pedals are quite good especially for mud clearance...

yo is anyone usein those pedals used for display because i would love those shimano xt trail pedals

started with time, tried crank bros, back in time.

I would 100% agree.... until I tried Hope Union TC pedals. Now there is no other option.

Shimano all the way. I’ve tried egg beaters but they are not a patch on SPDs.

I gave up on Crank Bros pedals after the third set catastrophically failed - the pedal came off the spindle after bearing failures. This first happened with a set of candies that were only 4 months old. I sent them back and CBs said that I hadn't maintained them - but they were only 4 months old!!! By comparison I have run Shimano XT pedals for multiple years without needing any servicing, and when they have needed servicing they don't fail like this. It is a pretty dangerous design fault - god help anyone who loses a pedal off the spindle on a big jump landing etc, could be ugly!

The only pedal failure my wife or I have experienced in over 20 years of mountain biking is with Crank Brothers. Her eggbeater cage separated from the spindle at approximately mile 50 of a 100 mile race called the cascade creampuff in Oregon. never again.

HT pedals are the real killer

The brass cleats of the Crank Brothers are designed to be consumed and replaced almost every six months if you want to have some form of consistency in disengaging. No need to do so unless you want people to keep wasting money and natural resources. They might feel better, but I returned to my old and cheap Shimano pedals.

WiddaBidda!

I have PD-M530s on all my bikes. Road, MTB, Gravel. Except my best mountain bike which has the M8020s (essentially the same as M530s but nicer!). I also have some nice Shimano shoes which I've had for about 6 years (replaced the main ratchet buckle twice). The thing with Crank Brothers pedals is they ruin shoes very quickly. And were difficult to clip in and out. I know they supply a plate but it's not very effective at easing clipiing or protecting the shoe sole. If we're talking about tiny bits of weight (40g difference), then how much does mud weigh? And I never buy a pedal for use when I'm not clipped in. Just stay clipped in. Also, the CB pedals stick out too far below and can cause more pedal strikes. Stick to Shimano.

God bless you Lenny Quimby

Ever wonder why the pros have boxes and boxes full of crankbrothers pedals? Because they just don’t last! Bushings/spindles/cleats wear out way too fast. Hope Union trail pedals for me, good feel and reliability.

What bout time pedals

I tried switching from Shimano SPD to Crankbrothers Candy 3. I HATE the crank brothers in comparison. They don't release well, and sometimes get stuck which leads to sketchy moments. They bend super easy from rock strikes. The cleats are a pain to set up with all the shims and stuff. There are only two things they do better than shimano; 1) They are easier to get clipped in from a stop on a technical trail. 2) they shed mud better. Shimano is built way better, and you can control release for consistency. I am switching back to Shimano this summer.

TIME pedals 🤘

Time Pedals are the best MTB pedal.

Here’s a hack for you, put a little hot glue in the open depression space in front/ behind your cleats when you instal them. Water takes a lot longer to seep in…

Jaja henry i always know you where perfect for a rol in peaky blinders i heard you speak and im there whit the shelbys, by the way i been using shimano spd for 20 years never let me down i can say that this is the most trust component in mtb they last years

shimano Clipless, even saint just feel sketchy, they offer almost no pedal feel. very icy feeling in the mech.

Talk oubout over thinking it, in the beginning of clippless there were only spd's, went to crank bros when the candies came out and to the Mallett as my riding style progressed. Never had a problem getting in and out, never needed to shim my cleat, Never had any problems with reliability. If you need more support from a smaller pedal you should probably be riding a more cross country oriented shoe with a stiffer Sole, If you like an enduro style shoe you're probably riding the mallets, as for the trail pedal, It's a shame that crank brothers felt they had to compete With the In my opinion weird sized cage of the Shimano, But I guess we'll see, the jury is still out on that 1

"Came back SPD positive".... Nice...

For me CB pedals are overpriced crap that need servicing constantly , Shimano just works. My first spd pedals were XT m780, rode over 8000km with one set of cleats and 2 basic services (cleaning and fresh grease), now I have m8100 and they are flawless!