Why should you replace the original pedals as the first step after getting a new bike?

When you excitedly unpack your new road bike and prepare to start your cycling journey, you may find an interesting phenomenon - many road bikes do not come with pedals or a pair of the most basic flat pedals. For novices, this may raise questions: Why should I change pedals? Are the original ones not easy to use? Are clipless pedals really that important?

The answer is that road bikes emphasize efficiency and power transmission, and clipless pedals can bring better pedaling stability and higher pedaling efficiency and significantly improve the riding experience. This article will explore why you should replace the pedals as the first step after getting a new bike and the importance of clipless pedals to road bike riding.

1. Why do new road bikes rarely come with pedals?

When buying a new road bike, you may find that most brands do not come with pedals, they only provide basic plastic flat pedals. There are several main reasons behind this:

(1) Personalized needs: Each rider has different riding styles, cycling shoes, and pedal preferences, and manufacturers cannot meet everyone's needs.
(2) Cleats are the mainstream choice for road cycling: Most road cyclists use clipless pedals, so there is little point in providing ordinary flat pedals.
(3) Cost control: The core selling point of road bikes lies in the frame, drivetrain, and wheels, not the pedals. Therefore, many brands simply do not provide pedals, allowing users to choose the appropriate model.
Therefore, replacing pedals is usually the first step after getting a new bike, and choosing a clipless pedal system is an important step to improving the road cycling experience.

2. Why should you replace the original pedals?

Even if your new bike is equipped with a pair of basic flat pedals, it is recommended that you replace them with more professional pedals as soon as possible for the following reasons:

(1) The original flat pedals have poor grip and low pedaling efficiency
Most original flat pedals are made of ordinary materials and have insufficient surface friction, which can easily cause the foot to slip when pedaling at high speed, affecting riding stability. Moreover, the pedaling method of flat pedals can only apply force in one direction (stepping down), while the clipless pedals can apply force in two directions (stepping down and lifting), making your riding more labor-saving.

(2) Affects riding posture and pedaling habits
The pedaling position of flat pedals is not fixed, which can easily lead to inconsistent placement of the sole of the pedal, affecting the riding posture. Cleats can ensure that each pedaling is in the most stable and appropriate position, which helps to optimize pedaling habits and reduce knee injuries.

(3) Flat pedals limit the efficiency of long-distance riding
For long-distance riding or high-intensity training, flat pedals have a large energy loss, while cleats can ensure higher energy transfer efficiency, making riding more labor-saving.

3. The importance of clipless pedals for road cycling

Clipless pedals are one of the core equipment for road cycling. They use cleats to fix cycling shoes and pedals together, providing better pedaling efficiency and stability. The following are the important effects of clipless pedals on road cycling:

(1) Improving pedaling efficiency and reducing energy waste
When using flat pedals, you can only exert force when pedaling down. With clipless pedals, you can not only pedal down but also pull up, push forward, and pull back, forming a complete pedaling cycle (360° force), making pedaling more uniform and reducing energy waste.

(2) Improving riding stability and reducing the risk of slipping
Flat pedals may cause your feet to fall off due to bumpy roads or vibrations during high-speed riding, while clipless pedals can ensure that your feet are firmly fixed on the pedals and remain stable even when riding at high speeds or climbing hills.

(3) Make riding posture more scientific and reduce sports injuries
Clamping pedals can ensure that your feet are always in the most biomechanically correct position, reduce extra pressure on the knees and ankles, and reduce the risk of sports injuries.

(4) Improve climbing and sprinting ability
Clamping pedals can make full use of every force point of your leg muscles when climbing or sprinting, making the force more balanced and more efficient when climbing.

After reading this, I believe you have a certain understanding of why you need to change your pedals/clamping pedals. In the next issue, we will talk about how to choose clamping pedals and how novices can adapt to clamping pedals now! If you are interested, please follow us!