Large & Small Crankbrothers Stamp 3 Pedals

Stamp 3

The Crankbrothers Stamp series of pedals all come in two sizes. The small, which Crankbrothers really should have called 'regular' since at 100mm x 100mm they're about industry average, and the large which punch in with a big 114mm x 111mm. I've been riding both pedal sizes although, unlike some people, I haven't tried mix-matching them.

There are lots of great flat pedals on the market but what specifically sets the Stamp 3 apart is how easy it is to rebuild them with a fresh bushing and cartridge bearing. Unlike the more boutique Crankbrothers Stamp 7 and 11 models, the Stamp 3 uses exactly the same guts as their clip-in units. The rebuild kits even include the tools to do the job. 

For more information on rebuilding the Stamp 3 please see my first look or my previous review of the Crankbrothers Mallet DH clip-in pedals. For those uninclined to follow links, please suffice it to say that completely rebuilding Crankbrothers pedals is ridiculously easy and the kits are available almost everywhere. 

Size Matters

The extra 26.54cm² of the large pedal doesn't sound like a heck of a lot. But it is. My size 42–43 shoes are right on the cusp depending on the shoe model and if Crankbrothers introduced a 'medium' size between the two that would be my Goldilocks. 

With some shoes it's an easy choice as the small Stamp 3 pedals actually interface properly. In shoes with a wider contact area I prefer the support of the large pedal, except when corning in the gnar. Big feet don't correlate to much other than big shoes but anyone who has flippers and is riding comparatively tiny pedals is definitely well served to give a bigger platform a shot. Your well supported trotters will thank me. 

Five Ten and Shimano flat pedal shoes in my size interface okay with the large version of the pedal and I love the support on a long ride but when things get hot-and-heavy the small gives me the most traction with any shoes I have. 

These 16mm thick Stamp 3 pedals are a bit plumper than the 11–13mm thick Stamp 7 and 11 but to me, the extra girth is more than worthwhile for the increased serviceability and availability of parts and also for the bearing-bushing hybrid versus a full bushing design on the higher priced units. 

Winners...

...and losers. Looking at the Crankbrothers flat pedal line the Stamp 3 is the obvious winner. The lower end Stamp 2 drops 20 USD but uses a cast body which is an absolute no-go for riders that will be smacking them on immovable objects and the higher end Stamp 7 and 11 an all bushing design.

Speaking of concavity, I backed out the fore and aft set screws on my Stamp 3 pedals and wound in the centre units to create an even more concave feeling. I'd personally love to see T-Pin style pins that load from the back, which are easier to remove and less likely to damage pedals when they are smoked on rocks, but I haven't any damaged threads in the pedal bodies to date. 

The Stamp 3 is a great choice for anyone riding Five Ten shoes and a good choice with less grippy footwear. The ease and availability of parts when it comes to rebuilds is excellent but like the Mallet DH, it should not be an oft required task and both the pedal bodies and steel axles come with a five-year warranty.

For more information on the 100 USD Stamp 3 pedal please click here.