Crank Brothers pedals - suitable for me?

[Keithb]

I'm just about to buy either a Giant CRX1 or an Avanti Blade Comp, and intend mainly to do half day/day trips of 30/60kms. I've never used cleats before. Would the Crank Brothers Smarty Pedal or Candy C. pedals be sutiable for me
I can't find a dealer in Australia, what happens if I have a problem with them

[alchemist]

They'd be great. Dirt Works are the Australian Distributor for Crank Brothers and carry a full range of spares.

[sogood]

Can't find dealers? Where are you located? Most LBSs around here have them, even Cell bikes.

[Keithb]

I live in Stanthorpe, SE Qld.
I got on to the CrankBrothers website and drew a blank on dealers here so I've emailed them for local dealers.

[Kalgrm]

I lived in Kalgoorlie for quite some time and my LBS was next to useless when it came to stocking items I wanted. He could get most things in if I asked him too, but the cost was high and the delay could be severe.

You're in the great position of almost needing to buy online for things like this, and the good news is that you'll save big money by doing so.

Crank Brothers pedals are reliable and come well recommended by many (I'm a convert ....). They are one item you can feel safe about purchasing online, since there is so little that can go wrong with them. I say, go ahead and find the cheapest source of them on the net. Don't bother looking for an Aussie dealer, because you'll pay at least twice as much in an LBS as you will online. That means for the same money, you can get the SL version (stainless steel) and know that the pedal will last you yonks.

I bought my Candy SLs on eBay, but you can also get them from Chain Reaction in the UK and various Hong Kong dealers.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Hotdog]

For the flat bar road bikes you mention you might consider the Crankbrothers Quattro, their road pedal. The cleats are designed to be used with road shoes but are more walkable than other road cleat systems. I've just got a pair for commuting and recreational riding on my 'bent.

[beebleb]

Bought and installed Smarties by myself and they've been great. The small platform is more than enough to get pedalling and they been good for all my rides ~30-40km. They could easily do more, and they were "my first clipless system" and I've been relatively fall free.