Table of Contents
Cycling fanatics tend to make things somewhat overcomplicated. There are consistent advancements and introduction of innovative pedal and cleat systems for a case-in-point. Most experienced riders are aware of different biking terms and top suppliers. While amateur cyclists often fail to differentiate between the cleat and pedal systems of different brands.
It makes it more complex than it needs to be to understand bike pedals and cleats. As a beginner cyclist, it’s essential to decide the type of system you commit to. It will eventually influence other decisions like the selection of shoes, pedals, or other biking accessories.
It’s not convenient to prefer a similar brand for all cycling accessories, you might require one thing in a particular brand and dislike the other. Expert mountain bike riders or trail riders are aware of different cycling aspects from various brands that work ideally for their cycling adventures.
In this article, we will highlight the Shimano and Crank Brothers’ exceptional cycling brands to discern whether their products are compatible with each other, like pedals and cleats.
Let’s dig right into it to find out.
Here are Some Most Frequently Used Crank Brother pedals:
3 Things To Know
Three elements would be mentioned interchangeably, but it is worth spending a minute on each one just to be sure you know the basics for people new to cycling.
Pedal
Pedals are the most crucial part of riding a bicycle. SPD pedals are one of the most popular styles. A road bike usually has no pedals or very basic alloy pedals or composite pedals which can be replaced by the buyer based on personal preference. This is because each rider has a different preference for a bike pedal axle diameter. The type of pedal body with a clipless or clip mechanism you select will make a difference in the cleat you can put on your shoe and the shoe itself.
Cleat
The second thing you need is a cleat. The cleat setup must be compatible with the pedal you select. Each cleat is designed to be used with a specific pedal and offers a decent grip on the pedal. Cleats offer enhanced control to downhill or cross-country riders. Plus, a standard cleat also makes a difference on the shoe you choose, as the arrangement of the holes for fastening the cleat onto the shoe can be different.
Shoe
Finally, you will need a flat pedal shoe. You should select premium shoes that feel good on your foot but are also practical for how you plan to use them. In addition to being significant for your power-to-bike transfer, the shoe will determine your overall comfort on long rides.
For beginners, SPDs specialized shoes are recommended. They are the most common and easiest to use. The compatible pedals have a massive platform, which is good at a stoplight.
Shimano and Crank Brothers-What’s the Difference
Crank Brothers is well known for its pedals, most of which have been used by pros competing in different courses, from downhill to cross-country racing. Although, they deal with its unique clip-in designs. While in the case of SPD, cleat configurations range from two-bolt to three-bolt options. They are used for dirt and on-road use.
The difference in performance might be small for both bikes. Here is how the SPD and crank brothers have massive differences from each other:
Shape and Dimensions
Both the Shimano’s SPD and Crank Brother’s current cleat shims possess different shapes and designs. Shimano’s cleats are bigger and have a pointy and a wide end. Contrarily, the Crank Brothers cleat mechanism comes with a similar width. The cleat design and shape serves as significant factor for determining its compatibility.
Material
Stainless steel is used for SPD cleats while Cranks Brothers’ cleats majorly consist of brass. Brass is a softer material and requires frequent replacements. But when used for cleat options, it’s deliberately selected to protect the pedal from potential damage. As a consequence, the brass cleat becomes more of a consumable.
Float
Cleat float is the exceptional tendency of a shoe or cleat after mounting it. The main objective of using a float is to enable precise moving patterns of bike joints while pedaling. Shimano SPD pedals are intended to offer 0, 2, and 6 degrees of float. Conversely, the Crank Brothers cleats come with 0 and 6-degree variables.
Can Crank Brothers Pedals Work With SPD?
Cyclists usually make the wrong conclusion that a product titled “SPD compatible” can work perfectly with the SPD cleats. But it isn’t always the case.
SPD compatibility implies that a pedal operates with shoes that allow the installation of SPD cleats. An SPD-compatible clipless pedal is a bike brand with cleats that can be attached to shoes that can take SPD cleats.
Usually, the Shimano brand is said to use a distinct SPD system for its cleats and pedals.
The Crank brothers employ two-bolt cleat clamping mechanisms that are completely different from Shimano’s. But, the real problem arises in their cleat’s shape. These brands possess a unique cleat shape as compared to others. Crank Brothers allow riders to tune their shoes and pedal interface using thin cleat spacers.
The Crank Brothers’ cleat with dots is intended to signify the degree of release of pedals or how the riders should move to unclip their feet. Therefore, Shimano cleat tracks can’t work properly together with the Crank brother-designed double-sided pedals.
SPD cleats’ factors slightly vary from their shoes, as they use a uniform float degree in their cycling shoes. Shimano is also recognized because of its two or three-bolt cleats.
As mentioned above, the shape and design of Crank brothers products ( pedals and cleats) are different from Shimano. Crank Brothers work with shorter cleat spacers, which is not the case for Shimano’s unique SPD system. For this reason, the two systems can’t go together. However, the Crank brothers use a regular mounting configuration for their cleats to allow them to perfectly work with other shoe brands even Shimano. Therefore, Shimano shoes have an affinity with the Crank brother pedals and cleats, and riders can use them comfortably.
However, the Crank brothers use a regular mounting configuration for their cleats to allow them to perfectly work with other shoe brands even Shimano. Therefore, Shimano shoes have an affinity with the Crank brother pedals and cleats, and riders can use them comfortably.
What Type of Shoes Can be Used With Crank Brothers?
Now that you understand that Crank Brothers is incompatible with SPD. It is inconvenient to use SPD with Crank Brothers pedals. The problem is to determine something that can go well with them.
The Crank Brothers pedals have special cleats that you can use in your cycling shoes. Even if you don’t have shoes that go completely suitable with Crank Brothers pedals, you can enjoy a wonderful ride.
You can remove the cleats on your shoes and switch them with the ones you get with the new Crank Brothers pedals. In short, any brand with two-bolt cleats can work perfectly with Crank Brothers pedals. Moreover, you can also acquire adjustable traction pads to enhance the overall interface between the pedal and shoe for exceptional performance and efficient power transfer.
The affinity of Crank Brothers Pedals With SPD Products
The Crank Brothers have a distinctive mounting pattern in their pedal cleats. They possess a different shape from the cleats used in the SPD system.
Therefore, you can conclude that the Crank brother pedals can’t be used with your SPD cleats or shoes as well. Not until you remodel your old Shimano cleats to be used with Crank Brothers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Crank Brother Cleats Compatible with SPD Shoes?
SPD is the Shimano standard, while the Crank brothers are not considered SPD. Only a device designated as SPD compatible can be used with any SPD product like shoes, pedals, or cleats. The compatibility of an item is usually mentioned on the box or the manual. Make sure to properly acquire whether the cleats you are going for are compatible with Shimano shoes.
Can SPD Cleats Be Used with Crank Brother Pedals?
SPD or Shimano cleats can’t be used with Crank Brothers pedals because of their incompatibility. Therefore, both can’t be used together. If you intend to pair up your Crank Brothers pedals with Shimano shoes, it’s vital to remove the original cleats. You can use the cleats that come with the new pedals. Or else you won’t be able to clip in properly.
Why are Eggbeater Pedals So Unique?
Eggbeater pedals exclusively created by Crank Brothers are premium clipless pedals. In addition to being exceptionally lightweight, the design of the pedals is minimalist. Principally, they only contain the cleat mounting mechanism and a steel axle. Their innovative design is unlike any other pedal out there in the market.
The Eggbeaters have a four-way entry design. While standard clipless pedals come with only two-way. Four-way entry signifies that you can clip in faster without wasting time or effort.
Can SPD Cleats Be Used With Crank Bros Eggbeater Pedals?
Crank Brothers pedals are manufactured with specific cleats that can fit only Crank Brothers pedals. The cleat comes with a new pedal, so it won’t cost any additional charges. The cleat fits onto a shoe through a two-bolt mount and creates an exceptional grip. These are the shoe that SPD cleats usually work with. However, an SPD cleat cannot work with Eggbeaters. If you have an SPD 2-bolt shoe, it’s best to replace the SPD cleat with the Crank Brothers cleat before using your heavy-duty eggbeater pedals.
Are Eggbeater Pedals and MTB Shoes Road Biking Good Together?
The platform of specialized MTB road shoes provides a bit more support and pedal surface for pedaling without being clipped in. These road shoes and egg beater clip system pedals offer perfect foot placement making a rider stronger and more relaxed when the course gets long and demanding.
It’s not about the style or design of the final look, but the comfort and efficiency you can enjoy by using these. Moreover, using MTB road shoes with heavy-duty pedals can use any kind of cleat combination and take longer for your ankles and feet to tire.
