Pedals and speed

[radgirl]

Not sure if I should post this here, but how much do the type of pedals (and placement of my feet) affect my speed?

Thank you.

[Ozgur.Nevres]

Not sure if I should post this here, but how much do the type of pedals (and placement of my feet) affect my speed?

Thank you.

It affects very much. Use clipless (cleat) pedals. With clipless pedals, you can apply force to the pedals all 360 degrees of the pedal rotation. This will significantly increase your speed.
There are some other benefits of using clipless pedals. For example, you can attach your feet in correct position to the pedals. This is important for knee and leg health. These pedals also gives a complete feeling of attachment to the bike.

[ricardo.alce001]

Not sure if I should post this here, but how much do the type of pedals (and placement of my feet) affect my speed?

Thank you.
I think all bikes should not have petals so that wont affect the speed of someone.

[radgirl]

Thank you for your response. I figured my pedals had something to do with my speed. I haven't changed pedals out because I'm waiting to get the ones I want (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_502000_-1_201453_10000_201455). I currently have the pedals that came with the road bike. These sort of small/half pedals with the basket/cage in the front. There are times when I'm rockin' and rollin', but other times I feel like a slug trying to ride. Thoughts?

[alienator]

Nope. Clipless pedals don't add much to speed. They can and should make you more efficient, but their most notable effect is that they greatly increase bike control.

[radgirl]

Explain how they provide more control with the bike? So am I just an overall slow rider? Is there anything I can do to improve speed? I really do need to change my sorry pedals though. I'm tired of people just flying past me. I don't want full blow clipless pedals, that's why I posted the one's I wanted above.

[alienator]

Explain how they provide more control with the bike? So am I just an overall slow rider? Is there anything I can do to improve speed? I really do need to change my sorry pedals though. I'm tired of people just flying past me. I don't want full blow clipless pedals, that's why I posted the one's I wanted above.

They improve control by providing an actual fixed connection with the bike about which you can better shift weight and move legs to turn or modify turns, you can press your legs against the top tube to damp oscillations if high speed oscillations start happenin, you can make quick steering movements, and etc.

Are you just slow? Well, you're likely slower now than you'd be if you had more miles on your legs. More speed comes with better conditioning, better endurance, and more training.

Don't worry about people "flying" by you. First, you don't know how long they've been riding or what their particular plan is for their ride. Maybe they're doing intervals, so their sprinting or pedaling hard a lot. Second, don't base your ride on someone else's ride. That is to say ride for yourself. Enjoy the ride. Set goals for yourself--if you think that's what you need--and stick to 'em.

[radgirl]

Thank you for your support and words of encouragement. I really want to increase speed and distance. I hope that will come soon. :)

[Ozgur.Nevres]

Nope. Clipless pedals don't add much to speed. They can and should make you more efficient, but their most notable effect is that they greatly increase bike control.

It depends on what you understand "much to speed". It may add just 1 or 2 kph to your average speed. I consider this "much".

[ricardo.alce001]

I would take out pedals on bicyles to reduce the confusion about the speed of a bike and make all bikes run on gas, you could say like a motocycle but least speed.

[radgirl]

I agree. Even just a little bit of speed improvement from new pedals might be worthwhile. I know I really struggle with what I have (especially on hills).

[hod65]

I agree. Even just a little bit of speed improvement from new pedals might be worthwhile. I know I really struggle with what I have (especially on hills).
maybe push a small bit harder each time ,i found hills very hard at the start and after a while of trying ,one day you will just get there as you get fitter and stronger .,theres loads of gimicks out there for your bike 99percent of it is up to you

[64Paramount]

Not sure if I should post this here, but how much do the type of pedals (and placement of my feet) affect my speed?

Thank you.

I don't really think that converting from toe clip type pedals to clipless pedals improved my speed, but I much prefer clipless just for the ease of use.

I don't have to "flip the pedal up..then try to slip my shoe into the basket real quick".

Yes, you can get very good at doing that...but once I got used to SPD clipless pedals I just don't like the old toe clip style pedals anymore.

I used the old toe clip style pedals for over 30 years, and I've only used the clipless for about 5 years, and I much prefer the clipless.

[rparedes]

I agree. Even just a little bit of speed improvement from new pedals might be worthwhile. I know I really struggle with what I have (especially on hills).

What's helped me the most is doing intervals at least once per week; make that one your key workout but build a good base first. I used to struggle to average 15 mph, now I ride at 18-20 mph average...

[JbVenable]

I agree. Even just a little bit of speed improvement from new pedals might be worthwhile. I know I really struggle with what I have (especially on hills).


For the hills shift to a lower gear to comfortably keep you legs going at a good speed. Dont worry much about your pedals. Then instead of coasting down the other side shift to a higher gear to maintain the same leg speed while raising your mph. Itll make a big difference. I still have my original pedals that came with the toe cages, but i took the toe cages off. I didnt like messing around trying to flip the pedal over and get moving from a light in traffic.