We can raise and lower our saddles, move them fore and aft, adjust our stem height, change our crank length, change our handlebar width, etc. But I've never seen any mention or mechanism for changing the width between pedals.

My feet tend to splay out a bit naturally, and I think my hips are kind of wide for my height. When I adjust my float so my feet are comfortable on the pedals, my heels come very close the clipping the chainstays or crankarms. I've felt sometimes like if my pedals were a bit farther away from the bottom bracket, I'd be able to pedal smoother. And I'm not a big guy (5'9"). Do big people have issues with pedal spacing? Why doesn't anyone offer a way to adjust this?

Edit: Yes, I've adjusted my cleat spacing. There just isn't much room for adjustment there. Do other cleat brands (I've got Look) offer more width options?

Don't the Keos and the new Times have a Q factor adjustment? This is the width of the feet, add that to the cleat adjustment and you will get a bit of adjustment but it isn't a lot. I guess you could go to a wider spindle BB but that will affect the chain line as well.

Wider frame + longer bb spindle = greater Q-factor.
There are also quick release pedal adapters that increase Q-f slightly and help prevent pedal theft.

Enjoy

How does a quick release pedal adapter PREVENT pedal theft? I'd think it would help pedal theft?

going out on a limb here, but I'd guess that said owner would take said pedals with him?

I know, it's a stretch.



You can always move pedals out to a wider position using an adapter, sorry, forgot the name.

But if you *need* a narrower Q, maybe go with a compact double crank... doesn't that move the pedals in as much as a cm?

Hmmmm, how in the world did that not occur to me? I'm having a slow day :rolleyes:.

Although I didn't realize that pedal theft was an issue for some people... seems like it's more work to undo the #@($*@ pedals than it is just to steal the whole bike.

If the bike has a lock that takes a lot longer to remove, a thief will steal the pedals in hopes that the owner will get a ride home from someone else thinking they'd return the next day with new pedals. That gives the thief time to work the lock overnight. This is more common on college campuses than elsewhere.

Most people don't realize this or they'd call the cops and set up a sting.

Look has a pedal that has Q-factor adjustment. The catch? They ain't cheap: $400 at World Cycling Productions

Harris Cycles:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html
"Kneesaver" Pedal Spacers $44.95
These are similar to the adaptors above, except they have standard 9/16"-20 threading on both ends. Some riders with unusual leg structure benefit from a wider pedal tread ("Q factor") and these spacers provide that.

Enjoy

Peter White Cycles has a pedal spacer. It threads onto the pedal spindle, the spacer threads onto the crank.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pedalspacers.asp

Your pedals end up 1 1/2 inches or 38 mm further apart.

I too had a problem with my heels clipping the cranks, but kneesavers did the trick. It's one of the best investments in riding comfort I've ever made. Other than my bent of course. ;)