Crank Bros introduced the Candy model a few years back, essentially offering a beautifully machined alloy platform to the replace the old resin one. And this, to help offer a bigger surface area on which your shoe can rest when clipped into the four-sided Eggbeater designed peg, as well as some protection for the vulnerable four-way Eggbeater pedal engagement system.
The Candy 2 pedal comprises and alloy body, cast stainless ‘wings’ (where your cleat engages’, a stainless steel sleeve and steel spindle/axle. It’s a lot of metal, but it’s not heavy metal with the pair weighing just 316 grams (around 100g lighter than most pedals).
The cleats are made from brass and are slightly asymmetrical. You can use them on either shoe. One side will offer 15 degrees of foot movement and the other 20 degrees of foot movement before disengagement from the pedal. There’s a standard ‘float’ of 6 degrees. For those unfamiliar with ‘float’, it’s the amount of lateral foot movement available when clipped in. This is important for those who may be biomechanically compromised and require more foot movement to minimise the risk of chronic useage injuries.
One of the big ideas behind the design of the Eggbeater mechanism is that it sheds mud easily. We tested the Candy 2s in Gauteng in winter. No rain. So we found a muddy riverbed and spent half an hour riding and walking through it. People did stare. The lengths we go to…
So the Candy 2 pedals are light. They’re easy to service too. They’re also very easy to clip into, with a positive click sound/feel, which is reassuring. And they’re also very easy to clip out of, almost too easy. Unfortunately, there’s no tension adjustment possible, so you just need to become accustomed to it.
The mud clearance is certainly as good as we’ve heard, but we noticed that, despite the alloy platform, the ‘wings’ of the pedal are still vulnerable. We hit the occasional root or rock with the underside of the pedal and that released the cleat from the pedal.
We come across mountain bikers that are nervous to “go clipless”. We reckon the Crank Bros Candy 2 is a good option for those folks. For those who ride in muddy conditions, we wouldn’t recommend anything else. And for those who like to generous ‘float’, you’re getting plenty with this pedal.
WEIGHT: Pedals 316g; cleats 32g
*PRICE: R1200
CONTACT: www.omnico.co.za; 021 691 0110
TREAD Magazine is sold throughout South Africa and can be found in: Spar, CNA, Exclusive Books, Discerning bike shops and on Zinio
*Originally published in TREAD Issue 36, 2015 – All rights reserved
