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

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 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 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