If you are new to cycling, or looking to graduate to a clipless pedal, you will find a variety of choices that suit your budget and your skill level. Shimano is a company that produces high quality components and gear for fishing and rowing as well as for cyclists of all levels. The Mallet C is manufactured by Crank Brothers, a company that invented the Egg Beater clipless pedal system. Each company's pedals have pluses and minuses, depending upon your needs as a rider.
Clipless Pedals
The traditional flat pedal you grew up with is inefficient for energy exchange; you can only transfer your energy to it on the downstroke and your foot can slide around. Being attached to your pedal, making your foot and leg part of the bike itself, allows for a more efficient pedal stroke. According to Bicyclehabitat.com, clipless pedals borrow technology from ski bindings, enabling you to "click" into them easily with the help of specially designed shoes and cleats. To release yourself, you simply rotate your heels outward. Although it takes some practice, this technology allows you to power up tougher climbs and clear obstacles better than you could on a flat pedal.
Shimano
Shimano makes clipless pedals for both road and mountain bikers. As inventors of the SPD system, or Shimano pedaling dynamics, this company offers a variety of high quality clipless pedals to suit any style of riding, from commuting to serious racing. Mountain bikers need a combination of light and strong pedals; they put different amounts of pressure on their pedals, particularly cross country and BMX style riders. Road bikers will typically log longer miles and require a lighter, more aerodynamic pedal-shoe system.
Shimano SPD Pedals
If you are new to the clipless pedal system, you may want the comfort of a flat pedal combined with the efficiency of the SPD. The PD-M647 may fit the bill. Providing SPD cleat surfaces on both sides surrounded by a platform, this pedal may give you the best of both worlds. It is heavier than other SPD pedals, but it is built to withstand the rigors of serious trail and cross country riding. It garnered a 4.7 out of 5 in user reviews on Mtbr.com, one of the most trusted cycling review sites. If you are a veteran clipless pedal user and want a lighter model without the platform, the PD-M770 only weighs 350 g and still provides durability, quick-release and a mud-shedding design.
Crank Brothers
While Shimano invented the SPD system, Crank Brothers invented the Egg Beater clipless pedal. The Egg Beater pedal technology is minimalist; it uses the least amount of parts of any clipless pedals offered making them less likely to break and easier to repair. Egg Beaters also shed mud and snow more easily than other pedals due to their open structure, and are lightweight and durable. The pedals themselves are also typically compatible with SPD cleats; even if you have SPD cleats on your shoes, which are Shimano design, you can still ride an Egg Beater pedal.
Mallet C
The Mallet C pedal is an excellent platform-clipless pedal combination according to Gearreview.com. It is designed for the rider who wants a product that provides a traditional pedal platform with the option to clip into a pedal. The aluminum platform has two stainless steel plates that sit at the front and back of the pedal, providing more traction. The Egg Beater is featured at the center of the pedal. The review site states that this pedal provides a stable platform that can be helpful in "hairy situations;" you can unclip and ride through a tough section of trail with your feet comfortably resting on the pedals. Also, you can ride in regular street shoes if you are a commuter or just want to hop on your bike to cruise to the corner store.
Comparison
Both Shimano and Crank Brothers provide excellent clipless pedal options for riders of all levels. Price-wise, the Mallet C is slightly less expensive, at around $100, while the Shimano PD-M647 is about $130; prices are as of fall, 2010. The Shimano pedal earned higher reviews on Mtbr.com, and was found to be more durable for heavier riders. However, Mtbr.com reviews find that the Shimano pedals, despite their mud-shedding design, still allow for too much snow or mud to build up in the pedal, making clip-in difficult. Both companies offer excellent warranties, typically two years for their pedal systems.
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