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The Crank Brother’s Eggbeater mountain bike pedal system was properly launched about 4 years ago and received some excellent reviews. It was a very different take on the clipless system problem, with four sides it allows for instant pedal pick up and engagement. They’ve proved popular with the UK mountain bike fraternity too, with their light weight and mud clearing ability being key features. So their road model is this, the rather ‘racerly’ named Quattro. It’s the latest pedal from Crank Brothers to use their innovative X pedal system. At its heart is the same four-sided pedal system they use in all their pedals, centred around a single spring. Simplicity, it seems, couldn’t get any simpler.
For the Quattro, the stainless steel pedal core is wrapped with an aerodynamic carbon steel body. The purpose of the body is two-fold; it provides extra support and gives a large target zone for easy clipping in. Clearance, especially when cornering is excellent due to the very low overall height.
The pedals themselves lack any adjustment like other systems, but depending on the orientation of the cleats the amount of available float can be either 6 or 12 degrees. After some experimenting we found we preferred less float and a quicker release. The cleats attach to the shoe via a rubber platform, which is fantastic as walking around, which is dangerous with other cleat systems, is not such a risk. The platform also has the benefit of finding the pedal and clipping in a little easier.
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In use we found the pedals to perform faultlessly. There is a small learning curve when coming from other pedal systems, mostly with the actual clipping in, but once you’ve got the knack you never have to think about it again. Unlike other systems, the clipping in is joined with a less audible click, more a soft clunk, but after a while you kind of get used to. Clipping out is a similarly different experience, as there is no click clunk, but they’re actually a lot easier to clip out of than other pedals we’ve used.
When out on the road, the pedals provide plenty of support and your shoes feel firmly locked in, but still with a nice amount of float. We’ve been testing them for several months and not had any problems at all, despite plenty of abuse and several pedal tarmac instances.
Quattro’s Pro model now comes in a variety of team colours and some Peloton Pros have now taken to using the Quattro system. Be warned though the titanium axle version is very expensive.
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So, should you buy some? Well, they’re a viable alternative to the more popular pedal systems available, but unless you’re having issues with your current pedals, it’s doubtful you’ll want to make the change. If you are considering changing, or you’re looking to buy your first clipless, the Quattro’s should be at the top of your list. However, costing a shade under a hundred notes, there are cheaper alternatives available, but then they are at the lighter end of the pedal weight spectrum.
RCUK VERDICT |
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Bad: If you’re tied in with another system you’re unlikely to want to change. Could be lighter for the money? 8mm allen key to attach them to cranks. |
Contact:
Raw – www.rawexperience.com, www.crankbrothers.com or call 0131 440 2010
Price: £99.99
Weight: 312g per pair
Warranty: 2 years
