Crankbrothers is a bicycle-component and accessory brand best known for mountain-bike pedals. Its four-sided clip-in mechanism appears across the minimalist Eggbeater, trail-oriented Candy, and larger-platform Mallet families. The catalog now extends well beyond pedals into footwear, wheels, dropper posts, pumps, multi-tools, and tubeless-repair equipment.
Most of the range is intended for mountain biking and gravel rather than traditional road cycling. Riders may consider Crankbrothers for its coordinated shoe-and-pedal system, broad selection of platform sizes, and availability of rebuild parts. Its products range from inexpensive composite pedals and compact tools to titanium pedals and carbon wheelsets.
The tradeoff is that compatibility can become model- and generation-specific. Crankbrothers clip-in pedals require the company’s cleats, Synthesis front and rear wheels are intentionally different, and several pedal refresh kits fit only particular versions.
What Crankbrothers Makes
The current Crankbrothers catalog includes:
- Eggbeater, Candy, and Mallet clip-in pedals
- Double Shot hybrid pedals with one flat side and one clip-in side
- Stamp composite, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium flat pedals
- Mallet and Candy clip-in shoes and Stamp flat-pedal shoes
- Synthesis carbon and aluminum wheels for gravel, cross-country, trail, enduro, downhill, and e-MTB use
- Highline dropper posts, remotes, cartridges, and service parts
- Floor and mini pumps, multi-tools, tire levers, gauges, and tubeless-repair equipment
Designed as a Shoe-and-Pedal Interface
Crankbrothers approaches the shoe and pedal as a combined system. Its clip-in mechanism provides four-sided entry, while the surrounding platform changes according to the intended use.
Eggbeater pedals minimize the body around the retention mechanism. They suit riders who prioritize low weight, mud clearance, and easy engagement, but provide little support when the shoe is not clipped in. Candy adds a small platform for greater shoe contact. Mallet pedals use a substantially larger body and adjustable pins, making them more appropriate for trail, enduro, and downhill riding at the cost of additional weight.
Cleat setup changes how these pedals feel. Crankbrothers offers Easy Release and Standard Release cleats, along with zero- and six-degree float options. Shoe tread depth also affects engagement and platform contact. Shims and model-specific traction pads can correct interference or reduce space between the shoe and pedal, but installation needs to be checked with the actual shoe.
Stamp flat pedals use a similarly coordinated approach. Most versions are offered in small and large platforms intended for different shoe sizes. Choosing purely by rider preference can work, but the larger pedal is not automatically better; excessive platform width can increase the chance of rock contact or place the pins outside the most useful area of the shoe.
The Synthesis wheel range applies a different design to each end of the bicycle. Mountain-bike front wheels generally use a wider, more compliant rim and fewer spokes, while rear wheels are narrower and more laterally supportive. The result is a paired system rather than two matching wheels.
What to Know Before Buying
Crankbrothers clip-in pedals are not compatible with Shimano SPD cleats. Use an approved Crankbrothers cleat and confirm the release type, float, mounting position, and required shoe shim before riding. Brass cleats are wear components; inspect them when engagement becomes loose, inconsistent, or visibly rounded.
Pedal service parts are not universal. Stamp generations use different spindles, end caps, seals, bearings, pins, and refresh kits. Record the complete model name and generation before ordering parts. Periodic cleaning and regreasing are also required, with frequency depending on weather, washing, and riding conditions.
When selecting Synthesis wheels or rims, match the front or rear position, riding category, wheel diameter, axle spacing, brake-rotor interface, freehub body, spoke specification, and tire range. A front-specific replacement rim should not be assumed to match the rear.
Highline dropper posts require the correct diameter, travel, total length, insertion depth, routing arrangement, saddle-rail compatibility, and remote. The remote is sold separately with some models, so check package contents before ordering.
Multi-tools should be compared by their actual functions rather than tool count. Not every model includes a chain breaker, tubeless plug fork, valve-core tool, or the Torx and hex sizes required by a particular bicycle.
Crankbrothers is most likely to suit mountain-bike and gravel riders who value a tunable pedal interface or want coordinated footwear, pedals, wheels, and trailside equipment. Riders already committed to another cleat system, or those wanting components with minimal generation-specific parts, may prefer a simpler alternative.
Verified brand information
Crankbrothers at a glance
Company, ownership, warranty, and support details collected from official brand sources.
Last reviewed
August 19, 2026
Company
Identity & ownership
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- San Clemente, CA, USA
- Parent company / owner
- SelleRoyalGroup
- Operating status
- Active
Ownership support
Warranty, service & dealers
Share support experience- Sales model
- Dealer and direct sales
- Support region
- US
- Warranty region
- US
Official resources
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