Test: If you prefer to rush through curves with flats like Sam Hill and cannot do without clipless pedals when pedaling uphill, Crankbrothers may have developed the right pedal for you. We took a closer look at the new Crankbrothers Double Shot 3 combination pedals.
Recently Sam Hill showed that you can still compete with platform pedals and was even able to win the overall Enduro World Series with it. Nevertheless, there is now a strong trend towards clipless pedals, although some people often do not really feel comfortable with them. Somehow, depending on the driving situation, you would like to have both the freedom from flats and the control of clicks. The hybrid pedals that are commercially available for this purpose are nothing new and are often found on city bikes or fixies. But if you want a robust and high-quality hybrid pedal for tough trail use, the search has often been unsuccessful. This is where the Crankbrothers Double Shot 3 is supposed to help, which I ordered this season to test out of interest.
At 3mm, the Crankbrothers Double Shot 57 has a 5mm larger Q-factor than the two cheaper versions "Double Shot" and "Double Shot LE". The center of the pedal is therefore a little further away from the crank to generate more contact area, freedom of movement and control. In addition, the total of 8 pins on the platform side are interchangeable. The pedal wings are made of cast stainless steel and not, as in the cheaper version, made of stamped steel. The pedal is available in black/red or black/black and comes with brass cleats. The couple weighs 403g.
The first impression of the pedals is, as usual from Crankbrothers, very high quality. On one side of the pedal you have a fully-fledged clipless pedal, while the platform pedal on the opposite side doesn't need to hide either. In my opinion, the click mechanism of the Crankbrothers pedals is one of the best and most reliable. Even with a lot of mud, this still works well and clicking in and out goes by itself. Only the short durability of the brass cleats is a bit annoying. The grip on the platform is also considerable with appropriate footwear.
If you now hope to be able to change the pedal sides as you like during a rough descent, depending on the driving situation, you will unfortunately have to be disappointed. If you want to swap sides while driving, you usually have to look down and, if necessary, turn the crank to get the right side. In racing or in ambitious training, changing the pedal side is usually not possible without losing time. The Crankbrothers Double Shot 3 is ideal for those who want to conquer height meters with clicks and feel comfortable with platform pedals on the following down meters. Even those who prefer flats in the bike park and generally ride with clicks on tours can save money for a second pair of pedals.
