What pedals should I use for road bike?

You’ll need to use cleats that are compatible with the road bike pedals you choose, so you should factor your cleat preferences into your decision-making process. Cleats come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the brand that makes them, as well as mounting method and adjustability.

Why are road bikes sold without pedals?

Most cyclists tend to stick with one of these standards across all of their bikes, so they don’t have to have multiple sets of shoes. Thus higher-end bicycles typically are sold without pedals so that the customer can select the style of pedal that matches their existing shoes.

What pedals do professional road cyclists use?

The vast majority of riders in the pro peloton use either Shimano or Look pedals because those two brands sponsor most of the WorldTour teams. Plus, some teams like to have all of their riders on the same pedals so that a domestique can give a team leader his bike in the case of a mechanical emergency.

Do all pedals fit all cranks?

If you’re unsure of which pedal spindle size you need to fit your bike, then this post is for you! When it comes to pedal sizes, there are two sizes: ½” and 9/16”. ½” pedals are only used on very basic bikes with a one piece crank. All bikes over about $400 will typically come with 9/16” pedals on a 2 or 3 piece crank.

Can you use Shimano cleats on Look pedals?

As these cleats are smaller, they can be recessed into some shoes and therefore they are more suitable for walking in. For example, Shimano SPD-SL cleats are based on the Look system but Shimano cleats are not compatible with Look pedals and vice versa.

Are bike pedals universal?

Pedals are universal as long as the thread is the right size for the crank that you have on your bike. The 9/16 20 TPI size is pretty much standardised on adult bikes in the industry now, meaning there are just the two main threads as previously mentioned.