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What would you recommend for a clipless curious rider. My current 5:10 are falling apart so might as well spend 3 times the money on new pedals and shoes.
Are the crank brothers mallet any good for an introduction to mtb clipless (I ride shimano spd-sl on the road)
Have you looked at the Nukeproof Horizon CS pedals? They seem to get good reviews and unlike the CB ones are Shimano cleat compatible which may help you with flexibility. Couple of my mates have them and seem to be impressed.
I've got the Horizon flats and they've been amazing, so imagine that the clipless version will be similar in performance and reliability 👍
I've just been through the exact same process. Two pairs of Five Tens fell apart within weeks. Tried (insert well known alternative brand) flat pedal shoes; just not the same. Scratched the flat-style clip-in itch.
My thinking: I used to ride Shimano SPD from 1992-2011 ending up with the "trail" variants with the partial (useless) cage. I've been on flats on the mountain bike exclusively since then. I'm not an SPD mechanism fan (mostly the absence of meaningful float and release being controlled by spring force rather than adequate release angle). I've even used flats on the road for commuting (and been able to hit 50kmh sprints on them). I've also used the cheapest Time Atac MX2 for commutes (because of float) and while they're good they're still reliant on a rigid sole shoe.
A proper cage around an SPD-type mechanism might work but I wanted float and less reliance on spring tension so I went with Crank Bros (HT X2 was my second choice). My stance needs a wide, toe-out q-factor so the options were Mallet DH or Mallet E-LS (57mm) and the only ones in the shop in resort (Bourg-Saint-Maurice) were DH. Matched these with first-gen Giro Chamber shoes (again available in resort).
The combination is just what I was looking for (until I need to service bearings or some other Crack Bros implosion). Feels just like flats but I'm not expecting the shoes to fall apart next week. With the generous float it was easy to dial in the cleat position. I'll ride pretty much everything feet up but even if you go foot out the grip if you miss clipping in again is enough to get you through.
I’m a 5-10 user on flats and fancies a go on spds again. Went for the biggest Nukeproof horizon and I like them. They’re not as easy to click into back to back with my mates XT spds but if you aren’t clipped in they do give you the grip I was after if you’ve had to dab and can’t get back clicked in.
I am using xc style shoes though as I got a £25 Shimano bargain and I was being tight. They are probably better with a flat style spd shoe.
i felt the odd one out at ardrock using spds.
i had m540s on, but changed to M530 with the cage just in case i clipped out for a corner and struggled to clip back in instantly.. the M520 for £15-20 are as good a spd pedal as you can get.
then i looked at a few pictures of the winners
- steve peat had the red mallet pedals (£70 on crc) and 510 boots
- danny hart looks to have spd clips too, cant tell brand of shoe.
if you want sturdier flats get adidas terrex cross ride (stealth rubber sole, they own 510)
as always with spd thread, loosen the bolts right off then tighten 2 or 3 clicks, (you'll never fail to get your foot out and rarely slip out), lean against a wall stodd on your bike and practise a few times.
Time MX2 are brilliant for the purpose, particularly at £30 CRC atm. It's not just the float, it's the general ease of use, smoothness, engagement, reliability, mud behaviour.