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Submitted by
Built4Action
a Weekend Warrior
from santa clara, ca
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Nisene | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | easy to clip in/out, easy to find these *very* cheap, good value pedal if you're not sure if you will love/hate clipless pedals. | | Weaknesses: | plastic housing shows even light abuse, bearings not servicable, platform not really big enough to be used with regular shoes | | Similar Products Used: | platforms, "rat traps" | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher piranha | | Bottom Line: | I have no regrets in purchasing these pedals, I ride 3-5 times per week so I have gotten my $$'s worth. But after six months of riding on these pedals I noticed slop in one pedal (along with a persistent squeek that has been annoying me for several months now). I opened the pedal up to grease the spindle and a bunch of *tiny* bearings dropped out all over my garage floor. I doubt that I will be able to replace them.
My next purchase will probably be some Eggbeater SL pedals that, along with a beefier construction, "are very easy and fast to rebuild. the only tools necessary are a flat head screwdriver and a 3mm allen wrench to replace the sealed ball bearing and bushing."
On a side note, don't believe the crank brothers when they say that these pedals are self-cleaning and don't need any servicing. That may be true if you aren't concerned with easy clip in/out, but I found that an occasional cleaning of the center of the pedal with WD-40 followed by rubbing alcohol (to get the WD-40 off) made these MUCH easier to clip-in/out of. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikermanjme50
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Amasa Back Moab | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Stock on RM ETSX 50 | | Strengths: | None. | | Weaknesses: | these came stock on my Rocky Mountain ETSX 50. They are worthless!!. You can't adjust the clip in/out tension. After a couple rides, it became more and more difficult to clip in and out. The platform is grey with red end caps (perfect because the bike is red and white) but the red faded to pink. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano m520, Wellgo wam m3. | | Bike Setup: | RM ETSX 50 | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are horrible. If you get them for free, sure give them a try, other wise buy some shimano m520's | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from ky
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | It works as described | | Weaknesses: | No problems thus far. | | Bike Setup: | Jamis dakota xc | | Bottom Line: | I have worn out a set of cleats using these pedals. I am not sure why everyone is hating on them because they have not given me any problems at all in two years of abuse. I have hit them on rocks and ridden them in all conditions. These pedals have not let me down once. I wish they could be rebuilt when they need to be. In the long run the Candy model would be a better value. 4 chilis on value since you cannot rebuild the pedal. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fat guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Sugar Grove, PA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Gap | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | platform is nice | | Weaknesses: | Endcap popped off within 2 weeks and the pedal was sloppy like all the bearings fell out (but there are no ball bearings). | | Similar Products Used: | Eggbeaters | | Bike Setup: | XXIX singlespeed | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are junk, didn't last more than 2 weeks under the stress of a singlespeed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
YZINGERR
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Chabot loop | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | nice pedal, just the right size for my taste | | Weaknesses: | bearings are not replaceable and the pair that i had seemed to get stiff and didnt turn well after only 6 mo of use! | | Similar Products Used: | mallett, smarty, candy | | Bottom Line: | I liked these until i found that the candy pedals are the same, only rebuildable!
Cheap and functional, they wont last long, but they are good in the meantime.
Crankbrothers states that they warranty these pedals once they dont turn smoothly! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spencerfrater1
a Cross Country Rider
from Harpenden, Herts, UK
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Penmachno | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Wheels, Heme | | Strengths: | None. Came fitted as standard on a £3,300 Spesh Pro Carbon Stumpy!!! C'mon Specialized - these are absolute rubbish! | | Weaknesses: | End cap comes off - I'm on my third set. Last set lasted all of 5 hours. Too much play, Absolute crap. | | Similar Products Used: | Eggbeaters - much better and more reliable. | | Bike Setup: | 08 Stumpy Pro Carbon FSR | | Bottom Line: | How Specialized could consider fitting these to a £3,300 ($6,600) bike beggars belief. Talk about destroying reputations. Avoid these pedals - they don't last long at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NCbiker1
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | relatively Light; easy to use;
Great company support - see below | | Weaknesses: | Seem cheaply made. Bearings and bearing races mesh sloppily making me question longevity. Initially, one spring was much stiffer than the other and there is no adjustment. For my new Lake MX-81 shoes, the cleat screws were too short to allow using the provided shims so had to file the shoe sole. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 2300 Road bike. Wanted walkable shoes for touring. | | Bottom Line: | Love the mechanism but question the Smarty quality. Accolades to the Crankbrothers company, however. I finally called with my concerns after 4000 miles and nearly two years use when--in addition to the loose bearings--I started getting a "popping" sound in the right pedal that I thougth might be a cracked bearing. Crankbrothers not only offered replacements--in spite of only a one-year listed warranty--but allowed me to pay the difference for an upgrade to the Candy C which I'm hoping will have improved quality.
At their inexpensive price, the Smarty model may be a good way to check your interest in clipless pedals but I can't really recommend them except for light use. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
yz426pilot
a Weekend Warrior
from Central Cal
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | These are really solid for being an entry level pedal. Easy entry, good release angle, and very good engagement between platform and shoe. I changed to these pedals from standard Eggbeaters to get away from the excessive float. These have fit the bill perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | Longevity is probably going to suck. The pedals seem to be cheaply made. Bearings are a little tight, but will hopefully loosen up with time. | | Similar Products Used: | Standard Eggbeaters, SPD's | | Bottom Line: | Considering the low price of these pedals I'd rate them very high. If they last a year it will be money well spent. Crank Bros. could upgrade to cartridge bearings and fine tune the pedals a little more, but that's what the higher end models are for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | typical entry & release of all egg beaters | | Weaknesses: | Cheap, unreliable outter spindle bearings/bushings (if there are any). | | Similar Products Used: | Original eggbeaters since 2002 | | Bottom Line: | Came on my new stumpjumper as OEM. After several rides I don't trust them. The outter bearings/bushings that ride on the axles have way too much play and it seems only a matter of time before something prematurly lets go. I don't see a reason to even try a rebuild.
There is only one purpose for this pedal-to supply the manufacture with a cheap OEM version of the Candy. My original egg beaters lasted almost 6 years of abusive riding, these only a few rides.
Like someone said below, Crank Bros is really working hard at destroying their own reputation with someone who may try these for the first time. C'mon guys, go back to manufacturing only quality and well engineered products and lose the crap in the lower end of your line up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shieldwulf
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight, small pedal platform makes easy to continue pedaling without clipping on. | | Weaknesses: | No spring tension adjustment! Left pedal became difficult to clip in. Both pedals difficult to clip out. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SPDs. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized '08 Stumpjumper. | | Bottom Line: | To be fair, I've heard of good reviews of Crank Bros eggbeater pedals from friends. But the smarty pedals totally sucked. I capsized TWICE within a week each time with the bike almost coming to a stop as I was not able to unclip unless I jolly well dislocate my knee! It was embarassing and suffered bruises, one to my right knee, the other to my left knee. I NEVER HAD such problems with Shimano SPDs as I can adjust the spring tension to my comfort! My habit is to land to a stop using my left leg, imagine the constant fear due to left pedal always difficult to clip out. I have tried different cleat positions and angle and what have you ... and finally attributed it to LACK OF SPRING TENSION ADJUSTMENT!
The pedals came stock with my Stumpjumper, with everything working great except this pair of smarty pedals which I think Specialized totally BLEW IT using it as their stock choice. I thought it may be my lack of riding skills but how to explain the fast wearing cleats in just a week of use? The platform plastic (or polymers ... whatever you call it) wore off easily and one of the pedal side caps popped off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jari
a Weekend Warrior
from Tuusula, Finland
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mätäkivi | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Clipping and Mud clearence. | | Weaknesses: | Quality | | Similar Products Used: | Crank Bros Candy, several diefferent Shimano Pedals(total of 10+ yrs of clipless pedaling) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp | | Bottom Line: | Brearings last 450 km of easy trail riding. I did expect a little bit more. But it seems that this is one of places wher Specialized saved on their bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mule
a Cross Country Rider
from socal,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with 08 stumpy | | Strengths: | feels and works (for now) like crank brothers pedals | | Weaknesses: | sloppy design and construction.
impossible to adjust or correct. | | Similar Products Used: | eggbeaters | | Bike Setup: | 08 stumpjumper fsr comp | | Bottom Line: | I have been using eggbeater pedals for over five years and they are the best pedals I have ever used for mountain biking. My new bike came with smarty pedals and while they feel and work like my old eggbeaters for now, the quality of the smarty pedal is crap. It is hard to explain but they are just really sloppy. I think it was just designed to be OEM cheap. I got the rebuild kit for my 2002 eggbeaters and they are now as good as new. The old eggbeaters are going on my new bike and the smarty pedals are going in the trash can. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laporte
a Cross Country Rider
from Richland WA United States
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Chamna Nature Preserve | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | User Friendly, Platform is good when I don't want to clip in or can't take the time | | Weaknesses: | eggbeater piece may not rotate within the platform easily but this is not hard to overcome | | Similar Products Used: | First clipless owned | | Bike Setup: | Specialized 07 Rockhoppper | | Bottom Line: | I've beat these up for a year in numerous crashes and I find they still work well clipping in and out. Since these are the first clipless pedals I've owned the simple mechanism and price attracted me I use them for all kinds of trail riding and like how simple they are to use. I can see how someome who is used to spds would have trouble getting used to these but once past that They make great MTB pedals. I would recommend these to anyone looking for an inexpensive entry into clipless pedals. These are probably not good for the really serious rider but I've used them in some beginner races and find them effective. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pascal
a Racer
from New-Brunswick, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Super light, looks good :D. Clips in easily and are predictable. They're cheap | | Weaknesses: | None so far,but don't know if they will be dependable. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano M-520
Time Attack Z | | Bike Setup: | Kona the King w/ X9 components and fsa Xc-300 wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Since the reviews for these pedals are so bad I got them at an amazing price. I haven't had any problems with them yet and I like how they feel compare to my spds. Will update if I break them anytime soon.
I think they are perfect for anyone who are looking for some cheap and light pedals.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rextipher
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Price, weight and thats it | | Weaknesses: | Unpredictable release, Non-adjustable tension. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 520 | | Bike Setup: | 04' Enduro Pro, Fox Talus(Front),Fox Floar R(Rear), Other good stuff | | Bottom Line: | These pedals cannot be adjusted really, you can flip the clips and get a change of release, didn't help. I found myself twisting and kicking my feet trying to get out of them, thankfully not at any serious moment. Just trying to dismount, I'd fall over,in slow motion and when I was on the ground I'd still be kicking like a fish out of water trying to release from my bike. I don't have time or the skin to break these pedals in if thats what it takes. I do hear that the eggbeaters are better. I've gone back to the proven SPD system (love my 520s), save me time changing cleats as well. I did say they(smarty) released most of time right? If you can't say anything nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
boyvirgil
a Cross Country Rider
from North Texas
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008 | | Price Paid: |
$37.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | the crankbrothers-style clipless method.
they are small and light.
they look pretty smart... | | Weaknesses: | started splooging out grease the first day I used them.
In less than a month, they demonstrate significant play on the axels and make irritating clicky noises. | | Similar Products Used: | Crankbros mallet C
Crankbros candy | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500, XT{V-brakes, dual control shifters, drivetrain}...
| | Bottom Line: | My XC bike is sweet but these pedals turn riding it into a joke. A JOKE. WASTE OF MONEY. DO NOT BUY. Why crankbros would damage their reputation by selling these trinkets is beyond me.
From my experience, I say go with Crankbros Candy, or the regular eggbeaters, but please, not this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duvon Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka, Japan
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Zushi Duck Pond | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | RScycle | | Strengths: | They're cheap. | | Weaknesses: | They're cheap, I mean really cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | First time using clipless | | Bike Setup: | Ironhorse warrior stock. | | Bottom Line: | Like I stated above this was my first experience with clipless pedals. I found these things impossible to clip into (especially the left pedal) and once in they would release unexpectedly. I had chalked this up to my inexperience but after a little investigating I realized that the spring was coming lose from the wing arms. I thought that I had a bad pair but after looking at these reviews I see that they are just bad pedals period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jhonny Ringo
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Cheaply made. | | Similar Products Used: | Candy SL, Shimano XTR, Frog | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F3 Hard Tail | | Bottom Line: | Do not waste you money the Smarty pedals. You will get what you paid for. Mine was hardly spinning after 1 month of use. Released prematurely occasionally. Spend an extra buck and go with the Candy SL. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma City, Ok, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | the one I'm on at the time | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Pedals do not release accidentally or when they hit an object on the trail. Come to think of it they don't release at all.
Great weight loss program lose lbs. from the outside in by shaving off layers of skin with every crash. | | Weaknesses: | OUCH!!!!!!!
The 6" bruise on my thigh. The skin that used to be on my elbows and sides. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimanl spd 520's | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Stumpy elite. Stock except for the crank bros pedals I have replaced with my old 520'S. | | Bottom Line: | I read reviews on this page to see if the pedals were as bad as I suspected or to see if maybe it was my lack of skill. I was excited to try crank bros. product when they came with the bike but that lasted 1/4 mile into my first ride. The bearings were so stiff on the left pedal it kept backing out. Ended up walking the bike back to the trail head for fear of cross threading the cranks. The LBS replaced the pedals but the new set has expanded my base language skills due to difficulty clipping in and clipping out when I really needed to. If you by a stumpy or any other bike equiped with these pedals ask for an upgrade even if it costs you. These pedals will get you hurt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacific Northwest, WA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere off road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Came stock on bike | | Strengths: | The pedal minus the cheap plastic seems to be structurally sound. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic on one side of the pedal is very cheap and sometimes falls off if your not clipped in. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | iron horse warrior 6.0 (stock) | | Bottom Line: | I would not recommend these pedals to anybody! But as in my case they came with the bike so I didn't have much of a choice, they make due... Replacing these SOON! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Racer
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | none so far | | Weaknesses: | material used. soft plastic, cheapo metal, like tin or something. | | Similar Products Used: | eggbeaters, SPDs | | Bike Setup: | 07 Stumpy FSR | | Bottom Line: | Cheaply built, impossible to predict. I have been racing on a pair of eggbeaters for years and love them, so I bought a set of these for my city ceater road bike. I figured they'd be just as nice but with some plastic around the guts.
Wrong.
The plastic is soft and since the spring comes out so often, it cuts a groove through the middle of the pedal. Hard to describe, but if you own a set, you know what I mean. I used them for a week and tried to clip in once and couldnt because the springlet loose of one of the wings that engage the cleat.
Crap.
I thought I bought a conterfeit set off ebay since they sucked so bad, but then I read the reviews, and am both dissapointed and relieved.
I will be buying a set of eggbeaters to replace these POS's soon enough. Bad move, Crank Brothers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mateo
a Cross Country Rider
from warsaw, poland
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | weight, looks | | Weaknesses: | crisp-less, excessive play on the axle, not predictable in cliping in or out | | Bike Setup: | 08 Stumpy FSR Expert | | Bottom Line: | don't buy them. not only cliping in or out is unpredictable, but also after firts 100km I got a huge play on the axle. servicing helped for another 50km. I'm changing them to Time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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