Crank Brothers Mallet C and Candy SL Pedals
By Jon Sharp

Crank Brothers surprised many with their incredibly-designed Egg Beaters two years ago. Last year, they changed the Egg Beater slightly and added different titanium versions. You now have your pick between two reasonably priced pedals and the titanium ones: the pricing for the titanium versions range from an arm and a leg ($250) for the Egg Beater Ti, all the way up to a kidney ($400) for the Egg Beater Triple-Ti. This year, Crank Brothers has upped the ante and expanded their line to include a different variety of Egg Beaters. Reviewed here are the Mallet C, and Candy SL. Now there is a Crank Brothers pedal for every type of rider--except maybe those who still prefer toe clips.

Mallet C
Candy SL

Mallet C
With the invention of the Egg Beaters, Crank Brothers had a good thing going for them. Wisely, they have only expounded on the idea, rather than changing it. The Mallet C is a pedal for the type of rider who typically doesn't shop for Egg Beaters--someone who isn't looking for a lightweight, minimalist pedal. The Mallet C is, in fact, a high-quality platform pedal with an Egg Beater soul.

The pedal platform is aluminum with openings large enough to accommodate the Egg Beater internals and plenty of mud clearance. Extra traction is provided by two stainless steel plates that sit at the front and back of the pedal. These are replaceable, and the Mallet C comes with standard and long versions to suit your traction needs. The Mallet C uses standard Egg Beater cleats.

For the Mallet C to work properly, the shoe has to touch the platform/traction plates of the pedal, without applying too much pressure. With too much pressure, the rider would find it difficult to release when the time came. If the shoe doesn't touch at all (even with the rider's weight pressing down), then some of the advantages of the platform design are moot, and the rider would be just as well with the standard Egg Beater. To make installation easier, Crank Brothers has included spacers that can be placed between the cleat and the sole of the shoe.

Once installed correctly, the Mallet C provided some benefits over the standard Egg Beater. Firstly, it provides a more stable platform--this is especially apparent with shoes that aren't rock-solid stiff. Secondly, I found that in particularly hairy situations I could more easily ride unclipped and still grip the pedals well. I also found that if I had to jump on a bike to run to the corner store, or even to a neighbor's house, I was perfectly comfortable in regular street shoes on the Mallet C.

Summary: The Mallet C is a burly, bulletproof platform pedal with the incredible Egg Beater mechanism. Clipping in and out felt just the same as with the standard Egg Beater. At 540g, less-aggressive riders might shy away from this pedal. In reality, though, that weight is very impressive for a platform pedal with a clipless core. For those who want a more stable platform or like to ride unclipped, the Mallet C is an excellent choice. The $100 price-tag is quite reasonable for a quality pedal as versatile as the Mallet C.

Back to the list

Candy SL
Like the Mallet C, the Candy SL has a platform surrounding an Egg Beater center. Unlike the Mallet C, the Candy SL uses a fiber composite platform reinforced at the front and rear of the pedal with stainless steel kick plates. In reality, though, the Candy SL is not in the same league as the Mallet C. Mainly, the Candy SL is lightweight--just 294g/pair.

So, it isn't a true platform pedal, but it isn't as lightweight as the Egg Beaters. What then, is the purpose for the Candy SL? Crank Brothers explains it this way: "[It is] for riders who like to have the option of riding unclipped, the platform provides substantial surface area for your foot. This can be good for riders who like to ride unclipped in technical sections, for or riding in street-shoes without cleats." There you have it.

Setting up the Candy SL is a little easier than with the Mallet C, because the platform is both smaller and lower profile. However, in the end, there are still advantages to having a platform. Namely, the platform is larger, and riding unclipped is easier than with a standard Egg Beater. Even though the platform is made from a fiber composite, the pedal is quite durable. After smacking the Candy SL against a few rocks in Moab, I realized that they'd hold up well. All they had to show for it was a few scratches. As with all Crank Brothers pedals, the Candy SL uses standard Egg Beater cleats--and comes with a set, of course.

Summary: The Candy SL is a light-weight small-platform Egg Beater-like pedal. It is smaller and lighter than the Mallet C, but also provides enough of a platform to make riding unclipped much more bearable than with the standard Egg Beater. Along with the Candy SL, Crank Brothers has introduced a similar version with some titanium bits: the Candy TI, weighing in at a scant 252g. The Candy SL is available in grey and blue for $140, while the Candy TI is available in red and black for $220. Over all, I found the Candy SL to be unobtrusive while pedaling, yet provide a little more room to set your foot when unclipped. Crank Brothers is right, the Candy SL provides more surface area for riding unclipped.

Back to the list

Conclusion: Crank Brothers has successfully produced two great successors to the Egg Beater. With their line-up, everyone who rides clipless--even those who are reckless with money--should be riding Crank Brothers. Now the only choice to make is WHICH Crank Brothers pedal to buy. If you like platform pedals, the Mallet C is your obvious choice. If you want something lightweight, but don't like to always be clipped in, you ought to take a look at the Candy SL. If you are immensely wealthy, then definitely go with the Egg Beater Triple Ti. No matter what you end up getting, though, if it's made by Crank Brothers, then you've made a good choice.

Jon Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
276 Canyon Acres Drive
Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
phone: 949.464.9916
fax: 949.376.7010
email: info@crankbrothers.com
www.crankbrothers.com