I've always been intrigued by increasing the stance width of my road bikes, it feels like it could solve a few issues (I seem to struggle with low back and hips) and my bike fitter even said it would be worth a try. I've noticed that when I ride the MTB (approx 25mm wider than road and gravel bikes) my pedal stroke does seem to feel a bit more relaxed and comfortable.
However, on the road bike the most easily available option appears to be Wahoo/Speedplay and they can do one if they think I'm paying £199 for a set of pedals and then even more on top of that to change the axle.
Ride ISSI seem to come up a lot but don't appear to be available in the UK.
I've discovered however that SQ Labs do longer axle SPD pedals and road pedals, which would be ideal as I would like to experiment with wider pedals on gravel bike as well as road bike.
I think I can get SQ Labs from BikeInn and prices aren't cheap but aren't as wild as Speedplay.
Has anyone else gone wide and felt the benefit? Anyone using SQ Labs kit?
Ta
if its just to have a play, get some axle extenders from SJS cycles.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/20-jtek-qplus-pedal-extenders-916-inch/
I've got a couple of their 12degree back sweep bars. I like them. nicely made and thought out stuff that does its intended job well. Might give their saddles a try one day.
You might find SQ labs stuff on amazon.
Time atac pedals allow some lateral float.
Good point 5lab!
I was getting a bit hung up on matching width of MTB, the extenders would add an additional 15mm, (ideally I need 12.5mm a side).
I'm sure an extra few mm won't make a difference but I like to be consistent! 😎
For 'having a go' purposes I can dust off the roadie singlespeed, it has old square taper MTB cranks so is same width as MTB. Will try a nice flat roadie spin at weekend to see if it feels the same as the MTB...
Try a ride with flat pedals? worth a go surely.
Shimano and crank bros do longer pedal spindles.
As above flat pedals are brilliant
If those axle extenders have enough thread depth you could probably shave 2mm off the end of them with a metal file if you want it exactly the same?
Hi there, i've been dabbling with stance width for about 15 yrs now. Here's what i've tried;
ROAD
Old look CX7 adjustable pedals (correct width but way too much flex in the resin pedal body).
Basic SPD-R pedals with spanner flats & then some knee savers from SJS, Probably the comfiest i've been on a road bike. I ran this setup for about 10 yrs.
Am currently experimenting with some speedplay (end of line steel axle ones for £99) with some of the ebay titanium axles & they seem pretty good, i was concerned that at 90Kg i may experience flex with some £30 chi-ti axles but nothing to report so far.
MTB
Kneesavers again on standard width cranks with PD-520 pedals seem to be have fine for years on my FS.
HT has some of the 168mm Q-factor SRAM cranks which also work.
I have also used XTR pedals with knee savers, as these don't have spanner flats i used to heat the extender up with a blow torch & tighten the pedal in with some adjustable pliers & add some threadlock. Once in impossible to get out.
I don't disagree that flat pedals would be worth a try but for less money I could just get some extenders (£20) and continue using existing pedals and shoes etc.
@mos - thanks for your tips, I think there are several pedal extenders on the market now that are drilled for allen key style pedals. Obviously they are weakened by this but as an experiment it would probably be better than risking a pedal stuck in an extender for life!
I think my original question has certainly been answered, i.e. SQ Labs seem the best option if I do want to commit, the Xpedo pedals @Paton linked to sadly don't seem to be available any more, shame as they looked really neat.
I’ve been running some steel pedal extenders on my hardtail and they have yet to break or kill me.
MTB and gravel bike have the longer axles on Crank bros pedals and that feels nicer than the narrower width on my road pedals. Very anecdotal but I defo prefer it
I've got an SQ saddle and it's great, available in different widths to suit one's ar$e...can't help with pedals though 🙂