Crank Bros Mallet Advice

[Zen]

I rode with my new Mallets for the first time today and did not have an easy time of it.
Since it was the first time I only clipped in on one side.
I do need to fiddle with cleat placement a bit more but I had a very difficult time clipping in and out. So much so that I FELL OVER STANDING STILL because I couldn't get clipped out.
I have no idea how that happened :o

My main question though, is there any method to this? Some little tip or trick that might help?
Will they loosen up over time?

Thanks, guise :)

[oxysback]

What type of shoes are you using? Some mountain bike shoe treads will get in the way of the pedal. There should be a shim in with the pedals that you can put under your cleat to make it easier. I had to do this when I got my new mountain bike shoes. The other option is to trim the tread on your shoes a bit.

Of course, if you're using road shoes this does not apply. But there's really no adjustment period. :)

[withm]

Zen
I thought you were a Frog diehard? What made you get mallets?
Martha
(who has Frogs on all 3 bikes)

[Zen]

My main criteria in choosing these was The Canal Ride and platform size. I thought a larger platform might alleviate any potential hot spot issues.

I do have the shims in place.

[VeloVT]

hmmm... I have eggbeaters, not mallets, but I believe the cleats are the same. There are two ways to install the cleat (you will see this in the instructions), one of which permits lower-tension release.

I set my eggbeaters up the easy way when I first got them. It's super easy to get in and out -- SO easy I have nearly come out accidentally before. I don't have strong enough motivation to actually reverse them, but when I get new ones I'll probably set them up with the higher-tension orientation.

Otherwise, when I was looking at pedals for my commuter, I read reviews of the Crank Bros models with platforms, and a number of people mentioned the awkwardness of a four-sided pedal on a two-sided platform... apparently for those people, the platform actually diminished the additional ease of clipping in that a four-sided pedal would otherwise afford. That made intuitive sense to me, so I went for the eggbeaters (though occasionally I wish for a platform, I must say). However, lot of folks here have Candies, etc, and love them, so I have to believe that that's not a huge issue for most people.

I've also read about having to shave down the tread...

[Zen]

I confess I haven't read the instructions :o I didn't realize cleat orientation mattered.

I don't think I need to shave tread, I do have another set of shims.

I wonder if a sort of kick-slide motion would align the beater with the cleat?

[Trekhawk]

I confess I haven't read the instructions :o I didn't realize cleat orientation mattered.

I don't think I need to shave tread, I do have another set of shims.

I wonder if a sort of kick-slide motion would align the beater with the cleat?

When I first got my Crank Brothers Quattros I had some trouble clipping in never out though. Yep you should check that you have the cleats set up for the easiest release.
With regards to clipping in I just sat in my lounge room and clipped in and out one leg at a time until it got easier.
You can push the spindles (eggbeaters) around with your shoe until then are in a better position for clipping in.
The website has the info about the cleats if you are unsure.
http://www.crankbrothers.com/tech_mallet.php

[Zen]

Thanks for that site, Trekhawk.

from the crank bros site:
How can I change the release angle?
For a 15 degree release angle (earlier release) on both feet, place the cleat with the two dots on the right shoe. For a 20 degree release angle (later release) on both feet, place the cleat with the two circles on the left shoe.

I did scan the instruction and saw the bit about the two little dots but couldn't find the dots and had no idea what they were talking about. I finally saw them outside at night under the porchlamp.

This will hopefully improve matters :o