Just got a set of these with a new bike and havent installed them yet. A quick, and probably stupid question: Can these be used with a regular shoe without any danger of slipping, etc? Or am going to be better off buying a hybrid pedal like the Shimano PD-M324 pedal or the cheapy performance brand one in a similar style?

Thanks.

- i'd go w/the hybrid pedal, such as the nashbar rodeo or perf campus if i had to sometimes use reg shoes...

(although i only use crank bros on my rides; my Sette Rival shoes recess the cleats, so they're like reg, albeit stiff-soled, shoes; i.e., no scratching of cleats on floors or sidewalks)

without any danger of slipping? no.

reasonably safely in dry conditions and not riding hard? absolutely.

I have Time Atacs which are similar to the smartys. Like stated above, dry conditions are fine if you don't mind the big knob sticking up in your foot. I have to pedal with the arch of my foot on the knob instead of with the ball of my foot because it hurts too much. Usually I just wear my shoes with cleats through classes. Are smartys the ones you can attach some sort of platform extender?

Use either the Acid -- or better yet, the Mallet -- if you want to ride with regular shoes. I have Mallets on my around-town bike, and they're about as close to BMX-level platform pedals as you'll get while still being clipless.

Currently they have the black plastic clip-on platform that came in the packaging. If they are fine for dry conditions, without black plastic thing, then I might use them as that would be the only time I would. Right now I can sell them for the best price as they haven't been installed and are still sealed in the packet.

On a different track, how does the cleat and engaging system differ from SPD? I have used SPD before really didnt care for it much. The Crank Brothers system easier to disengage? Being a newbie to MTB's, I would like something that comes out easy enough in case I have to bail! I'll check out the acid and mallet too.

Thanks.

If you're using mountain bike shoes with a nice meaty tread, you'll be okay mountain biking with it. My first year mountain biking was on similar Candies and I was often not clipped in as I built up my courage.

If you're going to ride using sneakers, the pedals will work fine as long as they are not wet. As soon as you're riding in any wet condition the pedals become very slippery.

I think crank brothers pedals are great. I've never had a problem getting out of them. I have found, however, that getting into the candies/smarties is considerably more difficult than getting into the standard eggbeaters. With eggbeaters, you can kind of hook the cleat in behind the pedal and roll it forward to clip in. This doesn't work so well with the ones with a little platform around them.

make sure to look for the cleat with two dots and put in on the right.

I've actually found it easier getting into my Candy's than my Eggbeaters so far. I think the little platform on the Candy's helps me locate the wings that trap the cleat more easily (or something like that). I am more likely to miss the wings on the Eggbeaters... Sad, I know.

That said, I love 'em both!!

For anyone using the Crank Smarties - how do they compare with the Candies? I have Candies on all three bikes now and love 'em, but was wondering why the Smarties are less expensive?

I found the Smarty pedals to be more difficult to clip in and out of than other Eggbeaters I've had. I've read similar comments about Smarty pedals on another bike site. My pair of Smarty pedals only lasted 3 months before the left pedal locked up on me. I won't be getting another pair.