Who it's for
Good fit
- Riders new to Crankbrothers pedals who find the stock cleat hard to get out of
- Riders with knee or ankle issues who want a smaller heel twist
- Trail riders who dab a foot often on technical climbs
- Commuters and gravel riders on Candy or Eggbeater pedals
Look elsewhere if
- Riders who already pull out of the pedals by accident
- Anyone on Shimano SPD, Time or other non-Crankbrothers pedals
Compatibility
- Pedals
- All Crankbrothers clip-in pedals: Eggbeater, Candy, Mallet (including Mallet E and DH), Double Shot clip side
- Not compatible
- Shimano SPD, Time ATAC and any other brand's pedals
- Shoes
- 2-bolt mountain, gravel and touring shoes
- Swapping left/right
- Release stays at 10° (Standard cleats change from 15° to 20°)
Pros and cons
Pros
- 10° release is the easiest exit in the Crankbrothers range
- Keeps the familiar 6° of float
- Fits every Crankbrothers clip-in pedal
- Same 2-bolt mounting as the stock cleat, so no shoe changes
Cons
- Lower release angle means more chance of an unplanned release when riding hard
- Crankbrothers pedals only; not cross-compatible with SPD
- No orientation trick: swapping sides does not change the release
What it is
Crank Brothers cleats are a closed system: 2-bolt cleats that bolt to the same SPD-style shoe sole as Shimano cleats, but only work in Crankbrothers pedals. The Easy Release version exists for one reason: to let you out of the pedal with less heel swing.
Release angle is how far you twist your heel before the cleat lets go. Crankbrothers pedals have no spring-tension screw, so the cleat is the only thing you can change to make release easier or harder.
Crank Brothers cleats compared: Standard, Easy Release and Premium
| Cleat | Float | Release angle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Release | 6° | 15°, or 20° with cleats swapped L/R | Stock feel; aggressive riding |
| Easy Release (this page) | 0° or 6° | 10° | Easier exit, new riders, sore knees |
| Premium | 0° or 6° | — | Riders after a different feel from stock |
The Standard cleat comes in the box with every Crankbrothers clip-in pedal. Fitted on their intended sides, the cleats release at 15°; swap left and right and you get 20°. That is the release angle orientation trick: an easy way to make the stock cleat harder to pull out of, used by riders who unclip by accident on rough descents.
The Easy Release cleat drops the release to 10° and, unlike the Standard cleat, Crankbrothers says it stays at 10° whichever side you fit it. So with this cleat, there is no need to worry about left and right for release purposes.
The Premium cleat comes in 0° and 6° float versions for riders who want a different feel from the stock cleat.
Which pedals it fits
The Easy Release cleat fits every Crankbrothers clip-in pedal, old and new:
- Eggbeater: the minimal four-sided pedal, such as the Eggbeater 1.
- Candy: Eggbeater mechanism with a small platform, such as the Candy 1.
- Mallet: larger trail and gravity platforms, such as the Mallet DH and Mallet E LS.
- Double Shot: the clip side of hybrid pedals like the Double Shot 2.
It will not work with Shimano SPD, Time or other brands’ pedals. See the Crankbrothers brand page and the full cleat compatibility chart.
Setup and fit notes
- Start with position. Set the cleat so the ball of your foot sits over or slightly behind the pedal axle, then set rotation to match your natural foot angle. The Crankbrothers Cleat Tool and other aids make this easier.
- Check engagement. Platform pedals like the Candy and Mallet can touch the shoe tread before the cleat engages. If clipping in feels vague, or the shoe rocks on the pedal, add a shim under the cleat. Our cleat hardware guide explains shims and shoe shields.
- Use longer bolts if you shim. Add the shim’s thickness to the bolt length so you keep full thread engagement.
- Test both sides. Clip in and out several times on each foot before riding; the 10° release should feel noticeably earlier than the stock cleat.
Care and wear
Replace the cleats when release becomes inconsistent, the wings look worn, or you start pulling out unexpectedly. Worn cleats release earlier, and on a cleat that already releases at 10°, that matters. Check the bolts regularly, and keep the cleat and pedal free of packed mud before clipping in.
Alternatives to consider
Crankbrothers Standard Release cleats
The stock cleat: 6° float with a 15° or 20° release, for riders who want a firmer hold
Crankbrothers Premium cleats
Offered in 0° and 6° float for riders who want a different feel from the stock cleat
Shimano SM-SH56 SPD cleats
Multi-release 2-bolt cleat if you are choosing Shimano SPD pedals instead
Wahoo Speedplay Easy Tension cleats
The easy-release option for Speedplay road pedals
Crankbrothers Easy Release Cleat, 6° Float: FAQ
Do Crank Brothers cleats work with Shimano pedals?
No. Crankbrothers cleats only work in Crankbrothers pedals, and Shimano SPD cleats do not work in Crankbrothers pedals, even though both bolt to the same 2-bolt shoe pattern.
What is the difference between Crank Brothers Standard and Easy Release cleats?
Release angle. Standard cleats release at 15°, or 20° with the cleats swapped left to right. Easy Release cleats release at 10°. Both are 6° float in their standard version.
Does swapping Easy Release cleats left and right change the release angle?
No. Crankbrothers states the Easy Release cleat stays at 10° whichever side it is on. The left/right swap only changes the release angle on Standard cleats.
Do Crank Brothers pedals come with cleats?
Yes. Most Crankbrothers clip-in pedals come with the Standard cleat, but Crankbrothers says the current Eggbeater 1, Candy 1 and Double Shot 1 ship with Easy Release cleats. Other cleat options are sold separately.