Crank Brothers' Acid(2) pedals are the perfect platforms for riders who fit between gung-ho racers and freeride shredders. At 371g/pr they're the lightest broad-platform pedals we've used, but their magnesium and carbon bodies provide broad support for less-stiff shoes.
Engagement is provided by Crank Brothers' spinning four-bar mechanism. Entry is accompanied by a less distinctive 'click' than Shimano pedals provide, but you nevertheless get a clear enough signal that you're in. Twisting out to release never let us down and you get to choose a 15 or 20-degree release angle depending on how you set up the cleat.
A big hole in the platform and space round the engagement wings provides for mud clearance, and even deliberate wading in sticky mud (okay, I fell off) didn't clog them. That makes these yet another good option for winter riding, an area where Crank Brothers has always excelled.
I've long been a fan of the company's Mallet pedals, which were intended for gnarly freeriding dudes, but also suited my preference for pedals that work with walkable shoes. The Acid(2)s have supplanted the Mallet Ms in my 'favourite gear' list. They're lighter and also easier to get out of because they don't have the Mallet's steel grip plates.
That will probably be a disadvantage for pure gravity riders, but Crank Brothers has a new incarnation of the Mallet for them, with steel set screws for BMX pedal-style grip.
Tiny niggle: there are no spanner flats on the axles, so you have to use a 6mm Allen key to fit the pedals. When it comes to time to remove them, I'd rather use a big spanner and reduce the risk of skinning my knuckles.
The Acid(2)s, with a claimed weight of 354g/pr are the middle of three models (and 371g on our scales). Acid(1)s have an aluminium and composite platform and a claimed weight of 395g/pr, while the new-for-2008 Acid (3)s come in at 327g/pr (claimed) thanks to a titanium engagement mechanism and the same magnesium and carbon body as the Acid (2).