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TECH NEWS
shimano wider pedals1Shimano is now offering Dura-Ace and Ultegra SPD-SL pedals with multiple axle widths
Shimano SPD-SL pedals now available with different axle lengths
Shimano is now offering its Dura-Ace and Ultegra SPD-SL pedals with multiple axle widths.
The axle width is measured from the outside face of the crank to the centre of the pedal. A regular Shimano SPD-SL pedal measures 52mm, the new pedals are available with a 56mm axle length, 4mm longer than standard.
Roadies have always preferred a narrow Q Factor or stance width, the distance between the pedals. Narrower means your feet are closer together. But not everybody wants narrow, with some riders preferring a wider stance. Some other pedal manufacturers already offer different width pedals so it’s good to see Shimano finally stepping up.
Shimano says the development of the wider axle pedals came about both because some sponsored riders requested longer axles, and the decision was also backed up by more recent bike fitting research and development. Shimano has its own bike fitting service so it clearly has a lot of data to call on now.
It also says that people who regularly switch between road and mountain bikes might benefit from the wider axle. Mountain bikes have wider Q factors than road bikes so a wider pedal axle on the road bike could ensure the two bikes have similar, or the same, Q factor, making it easier to swap between the two bikes.
Shimano is also offering mountain bike SPD pedals in a -3mm shorter axle length further increasing the options for riders who switch between different types of bike.
The new pedals are otherwise identical to the regular short axle pedals, the same platform, bearings and adjustable tension. More at https://bike.shimano.com/
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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6 comments
I've been using the +4mm Dura Ace and Ultegra pedals for a while now and find them much better than standard. My knees used to brush the top tube for some reason now they don't. A wider stance out of the saddle seems to give greater stability too
A wider axle is a longer axle, at least that is my take from the way the article is written. I think I get it, but even so.
I must have been using these wider axle Ultegra versions for almost a year now (since they were available on the Wiggle website). Being an ex-mountainbiker and quite 'wide bodied' I thought they would suit me better.
I would say that I do feel a bit more comfortable peddaling and don't get some of the foot pain I used to get on longer rides - but that could be quite subjective, 4mm isn't that much. Perhaps more 'pro-level' riders would notice more of a difference. I do like the little extra clearance when wearing bulkier shoes.
Shimano has been selling 2 axle lengths in Ultegra, at least, for some time. I bought a longer axle version for my winter bike so my huge thick winter boots don't foul the crank.
We must have missed it, and Shimano has only just announced it. How did you find the increased pedal stance with the wider pedals?
I had to go back to the beginning to see if this was an old story but apparently not. It should be though. Different axle lengths were on offer when I bought my Dura Ace pedals (carbon version) on 24th Sept. 2017.
I have never had a problem swapping between mtb and roadbike so the Q factor has never been an issue. The only reason for me to get a wider pedal would be to have more space for winter overshoes so that the cranks don't get rubbed/marked.