Four Products From Crankbrothers

Kaizen is the Japanese word for making constant, small improvements, to a product for example, in the quest for perfection. Much of the credit for Japan's excellence in manufacturing, engineering and design is given to this pursuit.* Crankbrothers seems to be on this program as well and the products you see here aren't new, but two are evolutions or have been refined or altered to some degree.

*A little known fact is that this concept was popularized in Japan by American business and QC instructors after WWII

*Cover image Deniz Merdano

Crankbrothers Klic HV Mini Floor Pump

When I first saw this pump I didn't think I had any use for it. I occasionally ride with a pump but this one wouldn't fit in my fanny pack, and it's too big to mount to a bike for the kind of riding I like. As it turns out, I was all wrong.

If I'm having inflation issues, or if I'm riding with a big group, I tend to throw a floor pump in my truck. They are useful but unruly. You can't have one in the back seat if anyone is sitting there and you can't leave it in the bed during your ride. They are not very portable it turns out, unless you drive a suburban.

This is where the Mini Klic comes in. I just toss it in my gear bag whenever I'm going riding, of even if I'm flying somewhere to ride. The volume of air it pushes is decent, and being able to stand up and put some weight behind each stroke is really helpful. It seems likely I'll be using this for the foreseeable future.

Crankbrothers Klic HV Mini Floor Pump 70 USD / 60 EU

Crankbrothers F16 and F11 Multi Tools

These are new versions of CB's existing "premium" multi tools, with a some bacon strips and a plug tool in a slide on case, atop the existing case.

The star of the show however, is the tool itself. It's finished better than the multi tools I've used and in five years of use, I've yet to see any sign of corrosion.

I've been using the F15 version but I generally leave the case and chain tool at home and stick the tool in my pocket or fanny pack - assuming the bike I'm riding doesn't already have a stashed tool of some sort.

The heads are precisely machined, easy to deploy and use, and you can extend the tools on the opposite side when you need a little more leverage.

F11 Features

• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Hex
• T25 Torx tool
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat Head screwdriver
• Tire plug tool + 3x plugs
• Weight: 136g
• 5 year warranty
• Chain link holder (chain link not included)
• Magnetic case/handle
• Bottle opener

F16 Features

• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Hex
• T25 Torx tool
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat Head screwdriver
• Tire plug tool + 3x plugs
• Chain tool
• #0,1,2,3 spoke wrenches
• Weight: 182g
• 5 year warranty
• Chain link holder (chain link not included)
• Magnetic case/handle
• Bottle opener
• Valve core remover

Since I almost always run inserts that can be ridden reasonably well flat, I rarely bring more than a multi tool on rides that are 3 hours or less, but on those occasions having an all in one multi-tool chain tool and tire plug makes the F16 a great choice. The case is also useful. You can use it to extend the tool for times when you need a little more leverage and there is a cutout that's designed to work as a slick bottle opener. Magnets keep everything securely in place without rattling.

Crankbrothers F16 - 86mm x 40 x 25 - 182g 60 USD/EU

Crankbrothers F11 - 61mm x 40 x 25 - 136g 50 USD/EU

Crankbrothers Stamp Boa Flat Pedal Shoes

While writing up Look's Trail Roc+ pedals, I noticed we hadn't reviewed the Stamp Boa Flat shoes. That's not a huge oversight since they share many features with other shoes in the CB line, which Andrew wrote about in both 2020 and 2021. We came to different conclusions however so this will add a data point.

On my first rides on other Stamp shoes, I found the grip wasn't sufficient for me. I no longer want 5:10 Impact levels of grip but shoes that are just a little less sticky, like Specialized's 2FO Roost shoes are perfect for me. I can move my feet around, with some effort and concentration, without sitting down, which wasn't possible on 5:10s.

The Search for Perfect Grip

The Stamps are less sticky than the the 2FOs by about the same margin that the 2FOs are less sticky than 5:10s. Put another way, the 2FOs are right in the middle of the other two, making the 5:10s too sticky and the Stamps, not grippy enough. Or so I thought.

The margins are slim here and I have recently ridden competently on the Stamps but I've also scared myself when things get a little hairy. Until I made a discovery that is probably more duh! than revelation that is.

I normally ride pedals with pins that are around 4mm in diameter, but the Looks have 3mm pins which have often put me back into the 5:10 too-grippy-for-me zone. As an alternative, I tried the Stamps and I found that I was once again in my sweet spot, which was great because I really like wearing them. The fit is incredible, the Boa and velcro combo cinches perfectly and releases in seconds, and the shoes are very well made, perfectly stiff and also sturdy and durable. So many wins!

There are however some downsides to 3mm pins; they make excellent shin scalpels and are similarly hard on your shoes. They are more easily broken or bent than 4mm pins. The last time I tangled with some thin pins, I managed to teach my shin how to talk, (click with caution if you are at all squeamish) and that was merely a glancing blow. Still, I'd sell my grandmother for perfect grip in comfy shoes so I'm willing to deal with those compromises.

Everything outside the Boa/velcro comments applies to every other Stamp model, aside from the Fabio Wibmer model, which in my opinion isn't robust enough for serious off road use, but I also tend to prefer a somewhat stiffer sole than most. My point is that if you don't like Boa and/or velcro, there are two other less expensive models that have all the performance benefits of these shoes. You'll win any "shoes off or on races" wearing these though!

Crankbrothers Stamp Boa Flat Shoes - 180 USD /