[Closed] Which "flat style" clipless pedal? Crankbros, Nukeproof, Saint?

Mallet DH, solid platform, clip in is there, no thunk but it doesn't need to be

Saints don't really feel any different to XT trails to me. I'd get XT if I was buying again.

Any reason for you not to consider the Shimano M530?

I've had plenty of sets of these over the years and they just work. Can usually be had for around £20 too.

Any reason for you not to consider the Shimano M530?

I’ve had plenty of sets of these over the years and they just work.

I'm guessing this bit

I currently have XT M8000 pedals, the non trail version without the cage. I like them, but I always feel like i’m standing on this tiny little thing, I would like to feel a bit more pedal under me.

There is a big feel difference between the shimano being on top of the pedal and the others being in the pedal/on the platform

The DHs look great too, don't really care about the extra weight.

Saints don’t really feel any different to XT trails to me. I’d get XT if I was buying again.

That's interesting, what kind of shoes did you use?

I’m guessing this bit

Yup. Those M530s look like they might have a tiny bit more surface area next to the cleat compared to my XTs, but the cage won't touch the shoe. My XTs work too, I can clip in, pedal, and move forward, but i'm looking for a different feel. First world problems. 😀

I like my Time pedals. You can't get them  anymore unfortunately but they're a big platform, larger and flatter than the current offerings. The Time mechanism is really good. Mine are showing their age now and looking to change but with my current model not being available I think I might try Mallets...looks like a similar mechanism to the Time setup and you get the large Mallet platform. Realise they might not be as robust or fit and forget as Times, but its the clip in mechanism I'm after...I don't like the Shimano system at all, so that simply is not an option.

I briefly tried my mate's Nukeproofs and they felt really supportive whilst also not being silly money.  On the other hand I'm still using 20 year old Shimanos, they really do last.

I’ve always been put off cranks by the bespoke cleat design but I do have some stamps and they are excellent.

Of those 3 though I’d go Horizons every time - I swap pedals around quite a lot and those are the ones I always go back to.

The other benefit of the Nukeproof's is 'if' you have other bikes with Shimano pedals, or swap between the two, the Shimano cleats work fine and dandy with the Nukeproof pedals.

I have Horizon CS's and really like them.

nukeproof horizons are ace, can't fault em

Out of interest, can you feel the cage on the horizon? I currently have some crank brothers mallet dh, but they are getting a bit tired so was considering alternatives.

I tried nukeproof horizon CL and dmr v twin pedals and didn't like the feel of the nukeproof, felt a little clunky clipping in and out and didn't feel like much support. The v-twins were excellent though and felt like a flat pedal and easy to clip in and out thanks to the spring allowing you to stamp down.

Heard mallet e's dont like my specialised cliplite shoes so didn't try them, and the mallet dh's have an extra wide q factor that my knees really don't like as I have very narrow hips.

Went for the new style xtr's in the end, not that much support and similar to a xt trail but way easier to clip in, I guess down to small differences in the mechanism andthe extra long back plate gives a little more support when unclipped. Was solely tempet by the v-twins but they're hefty and I've seen mates pedals suffer seized bearings and snapped sprongs.

Not the nukeproofs. I have a pair and have just swapped them back to XT trail. The pedals are fine but I found them alot harder to engage the cleat than shimano. Aslo the pins have fallen out I now have 8 instead of 24 and one of the screws that holds the mechanism onto the pedal has fallen out.

This Q factor measurement is a bit strange. So the Mallet E has a 52mm Q factor, and the Mallet E long spindle and DH has a 57mm Q factor.

Crankbros say that "the Q factor is measured by the point of attachment of the pedal where the flange meets the crank arm, to the middle of the pedal"

I measured my XTs, 55mm. So the long spindle version or the DH is actually closer to a "normal" SPD pedal by a mm. 🙂

That’s interesting, what kind of shoes did you use?

I use Specialized 2FOs and Shimano M089s

Time MX range available from Merlin and other places.

there was a recent thread on Mallet vs Saint that would be worth looking for but I'll briefly repeat my experience that with flat sole / skate style SPD shoes, the pins on the saint pedal do give you some unclipped grip. When clipped in the back pins don't touch the shoe but then they shouldn't need to.

With more trail/hike type shoes, they are less effective but I still prefer them to the trail pedals which have a platform but no real grip.

When clipped in the back pins don’t touch the shoe but then they shouldn’t need to.

I think I have the wrong idea about these pedals then. I thought the pins should touch the soles of your shoe, so it feels like you're standing on a cage like with flat pedals, not just this tiny thing like with regular SPD. It also looks like there is much more surface area for your soles to touch right next to the clips so even if the pins don't touch the sole that probably helps.

I've also seen some reviews of Crankbros pedals that if you adjust them like that the pins can grab the shoe too much and it's hard to clip out.

After 7 years of flat pedals (out of 26 years riding), I've just switched (in the last week) to Mallet DH.  Very happy so far.  The feel is basically the same as flats with less likelihood of the foot moving out of position.  Q-factor is just right for my bow legged riding style.  Mallet E would have been the wrong answer.  I've done Shimano thing in the past with disco slippers and this is a different world.

I was significantly concerned about buying anything mechanical from Crank Brothers but was getting a bit peeved anyway with the service interval on DMR Vaults (I've had brilliant luck with Nukeproof flats though) and the disintegration rate of Five Tens.

Got some XT trails first, like them but when unclipped or trying to get back in on steep stuff there isn't any support so bought some Horizon CS really like them. I picked a set of mallet E LS up cheap off eBay as I was curious loved the feel but they didn't play ball at all unclipping with my most rearward foot it would hit my crank or chainstay before unclipping leaving my foot stuck in so I sold them back on, I believe the problem was my shoe combination as mentioned above (spesh cliplites)

Dmr look good but I'm put off by the 2 pairs of Vaults I've got, great pedal but need so much maintence and eat bushes.

back on the nukeproof CS now, XTs have sat in my spares box since.

Currently using Nukeproof Horizons and been happy with them so far. Find they give enough support even when not clipped in with Specialized shoes.

it would hit my crank

I have the same issue with regular XTs now that I switched to bulkier shoes. If the crank is in the right position (pedal at around 9 o'clock) the shoe will hit the crank when trying to unclip. Haven't fallen over just yet, usually a stronger heel click solves the issue.

I’ve also seen some reviews of Crankbros pedals that if you adjust them like that the pins can grab the shoe too much and it’s hard to clip out.

Been using flat soled shoes with my mallets (5.10 Minaars, Tiva Pivots, Spec 2FO (not the cliplites)

Generally wind the pins in a half turn when shoes are new and then back out a bit as they chew my shoes.

When I'm pressing on them the pins lock you like flats, pressure off it's released and some float comes back, as the clip flattens under pressure you can stamp when it's needed too

I put a set of DMR V10 Clipless on my full suss.  They're great.  Never bothered with the pins but being able to shim the platform so it sits closer to the sole has sorted out the foot ache I got with XT 8020s on longer rides although the real issue may be the shoes.

Here's a pic of a Giro Terraduro shoe on the Saint pedal - now this has a curved sole so a flat shoe will sit much closer to the back pins but it might give you an idea of the profile. I tried these with the Shimano AM9 and there was a little more contact but I think the pins are mainly for unclipped grip

I tried these with the Shimano AM9 and there was a little more contact but I think the pins are mainly for unclipped grip

What on your shins? Look like mostly a token effort at wrapping a platform around the cage and nowhere near the shoe, even unclipped you will struggle to get good contact with all the pins and the mechanism is in the way. the old DX's with the big plastic cage look more use

I'll probably rule out the Saints then. I have zero experience, but in my mind I want this:

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just get the crankbros & do an annual bearing change!

Not the nukeproofs. I have a pair and have just swapped them back to XT trail. The pedals are fine but I found them alot harder to engage the cleat than shimano.

This. Once you are in they are fine, but the engagement compared to something like shimano XTs is incredibly vague. No more the reassuring and audible clunk, just a barely comprehend-able click leaving you unsure whether you are properly in the pedal or not.

What on your shins? Look like mostly a token effort at wrapping a platform around the cage and nowhere near the shoe, even unclipped you will struggle to get good contact with all the pins and the mechanism is in the way. the old DX’s with the big plastic cage look more use

as I said it depends on the shoe. The AM9 has a much deeper channel so the sole sits closer to the pedal. Whether you choose to believe it or not, my experience was that the pins do provide some grip. There's a better photo on the STW review here:  https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/winner-of-best-all-round-shimano-saint-spd-pedals/

I'd say they are somewhere between a trail pedal and the full-flat types, which sound like what the OP is after

Looks a little better, from my experience with a few versions of things the Mallet DH just do the job for me, if your going to go down this route you might as well go all the way. Bearing changes are nice and simple these days too

The thing to watch out for is that if the pins have too much contact with the sole of the shoe it makes clipping in and especially out much harder because the pins resist the movement of your foot releasing the cleat. This is bornout by the little tears in the treads from the sole moving on the pins unclipping. This is great for you friends as it does increase the number of comedy spd moments you have to entertain them. IMHO the best solution is pins that grip when not clipped in but dont reach the sole when you are clipped in.

 IMHO the best solution is pins that grip when not clipped in but dont reach the sole when you are clipped in.

What like a mechanism to retract the pins when the cleat is in?

What like a mechanism to retract the pins when the cleat is in?

that's not as odd as it sounds, the original DX SPD pedals had the clip-in part of the pedal on a spring so it would rotate the front of the clip up and the back down when not clipped in.

edit: actually, so do the current plastic body ones by the look of it. Could always try drilling and threading in some grub screws - what could go wrong?

Thanks everyone for your inputs!

Despite all the positive reviews about the Nukeproof I think I gonna go with the Crankbrothers. 😀 Probably the DH over the Enduro because why not.

I just like the idea of those traction pads too much. On my current XTs the soles could touch the pedal a tiny bit, but they don't because the soles are about a mm too high. I just don't want to run into the same issue with the Nukeproofs.

edit: actually, so do the current plastic body ones by the look of it. Could always try drilling and threading in some grub screws – what could go wrong?

Well personally I would end up with a set of pedals that are not as good as my Mallets 😉

Saints and M089s, bit closer than those other Shimanos up there^^