Why no adjustment for pedal width?
#1
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?
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?
#2
He drop me
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 13
From: Central PA
Bikes: '03 Marin Mill Valley, '02 Eddy Merckx Corsa 0.1, '12 Giant Defy Advance, '20 Giant Revolt 1, '20 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1, some random 6KU fixie
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.
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#5
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,698
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From: Denver
Bikes: 2006 custom Walt Works roadie, 2003 Fuji Finest (road), 2002 Giant Iguana (mtb), 1986 BMW K75 (motor)
Originally Posted by Eggplant Jeff
How does a quick release pedal adapter PREVENT pedal theft? I'd think it would help pedal theft?
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?
#6
Originally Posted by LordOpie
going out on a limb here, but I'd guess that said owner would take said pedals with him?
.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.
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,698
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From: Denver
Bikes: 2006 custom Walt Works roadie, 2003 Fuji Finest (road), 2002 Giant Iguana (mtb), 1986 BMW K75 (motor)
Originally Posted by Eggplant Jeff
Hmmmm, how in the world did that not occur to me? I'm having a slow day
.
Although I didn't realize that pedal theft was an issue for some people... seems like it's more work to undo the #@($*@ pedals than it is just to steal the whole bike.
.Although I didn't realize that pedal theft was an issue for some people... seems like it's more work to undo the #@($*@ pedals than it is just to steal the whole bike.
Most people don't realize this or they'd call the cops and set up a sting.
#8
staring at the mountains

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 218
From: Castle Pines, CO
Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29
Look has a pedal that has Q-factor adjustment. The catch? They ain't cheap: $400 at World Cycling Productions
#9
Harris Cycles:
https://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
https://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
#10
Senior Member

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: For the record, I am not now, nor have I ever been, an idiot.
Peter White Cycles has a pedal spacer. It threads onto the pedal spindle, the spacer threads onto the crank.
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pedalspacers.asp
Your pedals end up 1 1/2 inches or 38 mm further apart.
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pedalspacers.asp
Your pedals end up 1 1/2 inches or 38 mm further apart.
#11
Approaching Nirvana

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 0
From: Tomah, WI
Bikes: Catrike Expedition
Originally Posted by powers2b
Harris Cycles:
https://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
https://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
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