The vast majority of professional cyclists in the WorldTour use Shimano or Look pedals, as they are the two major sponsors. Compared to other cycling gear such as sunglasses or shoes, where some riders may have an individual sponsor, all riders on the same team will use the same pedal brand. This allows all the riders within a team to easily swap their bikes in the case of a mechanical emergency or a crash.

Can you put normal pedals on a road bike?

Yes. You can put flat pedals on a road bike. Flat pedals work well for beginners and for those who travel short distances or ride occasionally. Flat pedals are easy to adjust to and use, and are especially good for those who are less confident whilst riding. If you ride more frequently or want to get the best out of your cycling, then clipless road pedals are the way to go.

Are bike pedals universal? Can all pedals fit all bikes? Can you put any pedals on a road bike?

Bike pedals are not universal. There are two common pedal thread sizes: 9/16″ (14.2mm) and 1/2″ (12.7mm). Road bike pedals usually have 9/16″ (14.2mm) x 20 tpi threads which can typically fit on every road bike crank arm.

Please note that not every flat pedal or mountain bike pedal can fit on a road bike crankset. If you want to place flat or mountain bike pedals on your road bike then it is best to measure the pedal thread size and crank thread size prior to purchasing.

Are clipless pedals dangerous?

Road cyclists are more likely have a fall in the first few rides when using clipless pedals compared to flat pedals. This is usually due to a lack of practice and real-world traffic experience, as well as psychological stress – low levels of confidence when clipping the cycling shoes in and out of the pedals. The most common injuries sustained during a fall whilst using clipless pedals are hip/pelvis, spinal and shoulder injuries, which usually occur as a direct result of rider error, not clipping out of the pedals in time. That’s why it is most common to see cyclists fall over at a set of traffic lights. It’s worth noting that if a cyclist falls over or crashes whilst using clipless pedals, their foot usually unclips naturally as a result of the movement. The learning curve of using clipless pedals is much easier than what most people think. After a bit of practice, your confidence levels will increase and you’ll find that the risk of falling isn’t much different to flat pedals.

With flat pedals, most riders usually feel more confident as there is no ‘fear’ of being clipped in or ‘stuck’ to the pedals. A cautious or less confident rider can quickly take their foot off the pedal when need be. The downside to flat pedals is that the foot can slip off the pedals if there is not enough grip and/or interaction between the pedal and shoes, which in itself can be dangerous depending on the situation.

There are no studies or data available to tell us whether clipless pedals are more dangerous or increase the risk of falls or injury severity in more experienced, confident road cyclists. However, one can argue that with enough practice of clipping in and out, with the appropriate tension adjustment of the pedals, and with an increase in rider confidence levels, the risk of falling whilst using clipless pedals should be equivalent to flat pedals whilst riding on the road. Check out some great tips to reduce the risk of falling whilst using clipless pedals.

Should beginners use clipless pedals?

There are no reasons why a beginner can’t use clipless pedals. There may be an increased risk of falling in the initial stages, however with a bit of practice clipping in and out you will gain confidence, and by following these tips, you should adjust to clipless pedals quite quickly. The increase in pedaling efficiency, power output and speed compared to flat pedals is well worth it.

What are SPD pedals used for? Can I use SPD pedals on a road bike? What are the advantages of SPD and SPD-SL pedals? What are the disadvantages of SPD and SPD-SL pedals?

Yes, you can use Shimano SPD pedals on a road bike if need be.

Shimano SPD pedals typically refer to Shimano’s mountain bike clipless pedals where as Shimano SPD-SL pedals refer to Shimano’s road bike clipless pedals. SPD pedals are great for mountain biking, recreational riding and commuting. SPD-SL pedals are great for road biking, recreational riding and commuting.

Most SPD pedals are double sided which means that you can clip into either side of the pedal. In contrast, SPD-SL pedals are single sided only. Double sided pedals make it easier to clip in after stopping, as you don’t have to rotate the single sided pedal around with your foot prior to clipping in.

Shimano SPD cleats are made from metal which makes them more durable than the lightweight plastic SPD-SL cleats. SPD cleats are also smaller than SPD-SL cleats. The SPD-SL cleats tend to wear out more quickly compared to the metal SPD cleats.

Shimano SPD-SL pedals and cleats weigh less, and have a larger platform for greater power transfer compared to SPD pedals. The larger platform and interface between your pedals and the cleats of your shoes also helps to hold your feet firmly in place, increasing pedaling efficiency.

Most mountain bike shoes have the cleat in a recessed position, with thick areas of grippy rubber at the bottom of the shoes. This allows a rider to easily walk when you are off the bike. With the large plastic SPD-SL design, a cyclist will have to walk on the actual cleats which can be challenging for some people. This can also damage the soles as well as the toe and heel pads of the road shoes.

With both pedal systems, the release tension can be altered by tightening or loosening the bolts. With SPD-SL pedals you can also select the amount of rotational float between the shoe and pedal by choosing a different cleat, which is identifiable by colour. Shimano has three different cleat float options which allow for zero (red), two (blue) and six (yellow) degrees of float. To learn more about cleat float then please check out the The Road Bike Pedals Gear Guide.

Shimano SPD pedals are of course better for muddy and grimy conditions. The open construction design of the pedals allows mud to easily fall off, without interfering with pedal engagement or pedaling efficiency. As SPD-SL cleats were made solely for long distance road use without walking, they can easily clog up with dirt over time which can potentially affect the pedal engagement.

In summary, the advantages and disadvantages of SPD pedals include:

+ Double-sided pedal design for easier engagement

+ Walkable shoes and cleats

+ More durable metal cleats and shoes

+ Open design is suited to a variety of conditions, especially muddy conditions

– Smaller contact area between the pedals, cleats and shoes results in less power transfer and greater likelihood of having foot hotspots

– Heavier shoes, pedals and cleats compared to the SPD-SL system

In summary, the advantages and disadvantages of SPD-SL pedals include:

+ Larger contact area between the pedals, cleats and shoes which results in greater power transfer, foot hold and stability as well as a reduced likelihood of having foot hotspots

+ Lighter shoes, pedals and cleats compared to the SPD system

+ More direct feel

+ Foot float options

– Single-sided pedal design results in slower pedal engagement

– More challenging to walk on the larger cleats

– Plastic cleats wear out more quickly

– Dirt can accumulate on the cleats

How much faster do clipless pedals make you? Are clipless pedals really more efficient? Will clipless pedals improve speed?

Clipless pedals improve pedaling efficiency and bike speed, as more power is transferred from the rider into the pedals. According to the data, clipless pedals can significantly increase maximum power output by approximately 10% or more whilst sprinting and during hill climbing. The increased power output results in greater speed and overall efficiency compared to flat pedals.

Why do they call it clipless pedals? What does clipless pedal mean? What is a pedal cleat?

The term ‘clipless pedals’ refers to the lack of toe clips (or straps) on a pedal. Cleats are a small plastic unit which are screwed to the sole of a clipless road cycling shoe. Instead of strapping the foot in place with toe clips or straps, clipless pedals allow a rider to connect their cycling shoes directly into a pedal via the cleats, which provides a firm connection. Pedaling efficiency, speed and power output is greatly improved as a result, not to mention that you can take your foot out of the pedals whenever you need.

What does SPD and SPD-SL stand for?

SPD stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics. The SL stands for Super Light. Shimano SPD pedals typically refer to Shimano’s mountain bike clipless pedals where as Shimano SPD-SL pedals refer to Shimano’s road bike clipless pedals.

What is a pedal cleat?

Cleats are a small plastic unit which are screwed into the sole of a clipless road cycling shoe. The cleats connect the cycling shoes directly into the pedal, which provides a firm connection, therefore increasing pedaling efficiency and speed.

What are the different types of cycling cleats?

There are two main types of cleat systems. One is for mountain bike shoes, where the cleat is small and recessed in the shoes. The other is for road bike shoes, where the cleat is larger and not recessed, meaning that you will need to walk on the cleats when off the bike.

What are the different types of road cycling cleats? What are the best cleats for road cycling?

The four main pedal brands Look, Shimano (SPD-SL), Speedplay and Time all use a similar three-point cleat fastening system.

The three-point system has become the standard for road pedals since it was first created by Look in the 1980s. With this system, there are three bolts which connect the triangular-shaped cleats to the soles of the road cycling shoes. Each brand has visibly similar cleats, albeit with a slight variation in the shape. Unfortunately, although the cleats look similar, a cleat from one brand cannot be used with another pedal brand.

Look, Shimano (SPD-SL) and Time cleats all appear, function and perform in a very similar manner. They are all lightweight and provide a large platform with excellent power transfer, as well as float and adjustability options.

Speedplay also have a four-bolt system, and have reversed the entire pedal system. With this design, the clip mechanism is attached to the shoes, instead leaving the pedals to act as the cleats. Speedplay pedals have a lower profile compared to the competition. Speedplay have always focused on improving aerodynamics, by creating pedals and cleats with an aerodynamic golf-ball like appearance.

Do SPD-SL pedals wear out? How long do pedals last? When should I replace my clipless pedals? How often should you replace bike pedals?

Yes, all bike pedals including SPD and SPD-SL pedals wear out over time. Clipless bike pedals should be regularly serviced to prolong their lifespan. They should last for many years and thousands of kilometers if they are not involved in a crash and are properly maintained.

After a service, pedals should be replaced if the:

• Retention system wears out leading to accidental releasing whilst riding

• Pedal doesn’t release your foot properly

• Pedal body and platform is wearing away

• Pedal bearings are worn – grumbling or grinding

• Movement of the pedals whilst pedaling is not smooth.

How do I stop falling with clipless pedals? How do you not fall with clipless pedals? How do you ride with cleats without falling?

Most people who have ridden a bike have fallen off at some stage in their life whilst using road cycling shoes. It can be very embarrassing if you fall over at a set of traffic lights as a result of clipless pedals.

These are a few simple tips to help you adjust more easily to using clipless pedals and cleats, and in the process reduce your risk of falling over:

• Make sure that your dominant and comfortable leg/foot is the one that is unclipped when you stop.

• Practice keeping your toes fixated on the spot and twisting your heel away from your body to simulate the movement of unclipping your shoes.

• Slacken the spring tension of the clipless pedals as much as you can initially, so that you can clip out easily when needed.

• Use pedal cleats which allow for a greater degree of float.

• If you are starting out or don’t feel comfortable, then it is best to practice at home or away from other people first by holding onto something or fixating your bike, and continually clipping and unclipping your shoes. Once you become more confident then you can roll slowly and unclip continuously. It all simply comes down to practice.

• Make sure that you position your weight and body to the leg side that will be unclipped when stopping. If you take out your right foot then lean to the right hand side. This will balance you and will ensure that you and your bike falls to the unclipped side.

• It is best to turn your handlebars very slightly to the opposite side of the foot that is being clipped out. For example, turn your handlebars slightly to the left when you unclip your right foot.

• Unclip before you come to a dead stop. Give yourself at least 10-15 meters or even earlier (depending on your confidence levels). It’s best to roll unclipped to a stop.

______________________

Looking to buy road cycling pedals? We have made a list of the most highly rated and popular clipless road bike pedals and power meter pedals that are available to buy.

Road Bike Pedals FAQ

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US