I tried Crankbrothers Mallet-E pedals last summer, on the recommendation of a fellow guide, as a test to see if they could cope with the Chilcotin lava ash that acts like quick set concrete when the bike goes through multiple dust/ water cycles (drainage crossings, river crossings, puddles etc). The short answer was that they do resist mud like no other pedal I have tried. I had been riding HT T1 pedals, which are my favourite pedal ever from a spring tension and shoe interface point of view but they have ineffective weather sealing and I have more than enough to do as a guide without having to find time to re-build/ re-grease my pedals every four days (this was my summer 2018 average time between fresh re-build and needing grease again). I agree that the Shimano M8020 pedal 'platform' doesn't really provide shoe support and if it is only there to protect the mechanism it could be made out of a lighter resin.
I found that I was having trouble clipping out when my foot was in a rear level position, as the crank arm was blocking the inward movement of my toe. I eventually realised that it was due to the narrower Q factor (I know one is meant to clip out when the crank is in the 12 or 6 position but as a guide I sometimes don't get the time to choose perfect foot position, sometimes it is a case of clip out now or probably fall and die). As you have said, in your review, the Mallet is sold in the LS version which gives a more 'normal' trail Q factor.
It is odd that Crankbrothers have committed to a quite XC racing focused Q factor as their default axle length. This might make sense on the Eggbeater line of pedals but I would have thought it would be more user friendly to have the 57mm Q factor spindles on their trail/ enduro/ DH pedals as a default?
Anyway I quite like the pedals and given Crankbrothers new reputation for bearing and grease longevity I think I will be trying the Mallet LS this summer as there are times in technical terrain when I miss clipping in the cleat but need good non slip foot support to ride a short section before I can safely try clipping in again.
March 15, 2019, 9:44 a.m. - AndrewR
I tried Crankbrothers Mallet-E pedals last summer, on the recommendation of a fellow guide, as a test to see if they could cope with the Chilcotin lava ash that acts like quick set concrete when the bike goes through multiple dust/ water cycles (drainage crossings, river crossings, puddles etc). The short answer was that they do resist mud like no other pedal I have tried. I had been riding HT T1 pedals, which are my favourite pedal ever from a spring tension and shoe interface point of view but they have ineffective weather sealing and I have more than enough to do as a guide without having to find time to re-build/ re-grease my pedals every four days (this was my summer 2018 average time between fresh re-build and needing grease again). I agree that the Shimano M8020 pedal 'platform' doesn't really provide shoe support and if it is only there to protect the mechanism it could be made out of a lighter resin. I found that I was having trouble clipping out when my foot was in a rear level position, as the crank arm was blocking the inward movement of my toe. I eventually realised that it was due to the narrower Q factor (I know one is meant to clip out when the crank is in the 12 or 6 position but as a guide I sometimes don't get the time to choose perfect foot position, sometimes it is a case of clip out now or probably fall and die). As you have said, in your review, the Mallet is sold in the LS version which gives a more 'normal' trail Q factor. It is odd that Crankbrothers have committed to a quite XC racing focused Q factor as their default axle length. This might make sense on the Eggbeater line of pedals but I would have thought it would be more user friendly to have the 57mm Q factor spindles on their trail/ enduro/ DH pedals as a default? Anyway I quite like the pedals and given Crankbrothers new reputation for bearing and grease longevity I think I will be trying the Mallet LS this summer as there are times in technical terrain when I miss clipping in the cleat but need good non slip foot support to ride a short section before I can safely try clipping in again.