Unanswered Crank Brothers Mallet's

[dobbyhasfriends]

I miss clipping in, ive tried the flats for a few months and they're ok, I especially like being able to dab easily on corners etc but I have to think about pedalling and gear selection more. I've seen these kind of hydrid pedals - the crank brothers mallet that look like the best of both worlds but ive never tried that style.. I used to have a really hard SPD shoe with a M959 pedal and dabbing wasnt really an option with those but it looks like the mallets could offer that..
anyone got em ?

 

[davarello]

My son has just got the DH versions and likes them. He started on flats with a sneaker type shoe and then tried some old SPD's (520's) with an XC shoe and could see advantages in both approaches - the support of a big platform and the security of a cleat connection - both of which the Mallets have.

 

[p3eps]

Try the Funn Mamba. It is a large pedal with SPD on one side, and flat on the other.
Best of both worlds.

 

[Ickle_legs]

I've previously used Mallet 3s albeit on an analogue MTB, I liked the softer (but still secure) clip-in feel compared to Shimano. The pinned flat area did help when out of clips but I found the clip mechanism stood proud (cos it has to) and when not clipped in could feel it underfoot. On the plus, they're double sided.
Was never keen on hybrid (clips on single side) as didn't want to be checking which side of the pedal was up whilst riding tech trails.
I converted to flats (and FiveTens)to improve technique e.g. jumps, drops etc rather than rely on clips to 'pick' the bike up, and have stayed with (Nukeproof) flats now I've an eMTB - and several rides in, flats are still my preference.

 

[Ickle_legs]

PS. If I only rode double wides/fire roads/mainly did XC then I'd probably favour Mallet 3/DH

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I've previously used Mallet 3s albeit on an analogue MTB, I liked the softer (but still secure) clip-in feel compared to Shimano. The pinned flat area did help when out of clips but I found the clip mechanism stood proud (cos it has to) and when not clipped in could feel it underfoot. On the plus, they're double sided.
Was never keen on hybrid (clips on single side) as didn't want to be checking which side of the pedal was up whilst riding tech trails.
I converted to flats (and FiveTens)to improve technique e.g. jumps, drops etc rather than rely on clips to 'pick' the bike up, and have stayed with (Nukeproof) flats now I've an eMTB - and several rides in, flats are still my preference.

so you can take a dab with the mallets and then use the platform for support even if you cant clip back in straight away? my hard shoes and 959's were a bitch to clip into sometimes, even after years of using them and they dont have enough float for more gravity type riding for me

 

[p3eps]

Was never keen on hybrid (clips on single side) as didn't want to be checking which side of the pedal was up whilst riding tech trails.
I converted to flats (and FiveTens)to improve technique e.g. jumps, drops etc rather than rely on clips to 'pick' the bike up, and have stayed with (Nukeproof) flats now I've an eMTB - and several rides in, flats are still my preference.

I know what you mean. I used the Mamba for a couple of years. I primarily rode clipped in, but would unclip if I was going down a section I was unsure about. Easy to put a foot down if necessary. They're quite good at not spinning, so you know which side is which - but I did spend too much time looking down!

I have 510 clipless shoes - but even then, the soles are too hard for the flat side of the pedal, and don't grip as much as they like. I also bought a pair of hideous Northwave Goretex boots for the soggy cold winter days. They look awful, but keep your feet warm and dry. Sadly, they didn't offer very good grip on the flat side of the pedal either.

I've now changed to 510 flat shoes and flat pedals, and am much happier and more confident in knowing my feet aren't slipping about so much - but that I can still get my foot down when I want with ease!

 

[Ickle_legs]

so you can take a dab with the mallets and then use the platform for support even if you cant clip back in straight away? my hard shoes and 959's were a bitch to clip into sometimes, even after years of using them and they dont have enough float for more gravity type riding for me

Take a dab .... yep, exactly the scenario I got them for, at the time I used Giro Terraduro shoes which are quite stiff, cleat recess was decent tho. Sufficient pinned area on the pedal to grip the shoe but maybe not at full effort e.g. steep uphill- suspect the Mallet DH may be better in that respect than Mallet 3
Float? can't remember the angles but the Crank Bros cleat had choice of 2 angles by rotating the cleat 180, I used the lesser angle and worked fine for me.
NB. Presume it hasn't changed - unlike Shimano pedals, there was no tension adjust in the clip mech tho this was never an issue(and I was/am used to Shimano and Look road clips that are much firmer)