The Win Tunnel: will changing your pedal stance width make you faster?

Written by Zach Overholt Jan 11, 2019 12:32 p.m. ET

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Free speed. Sounds good, right? Many riders shell out big bucks for parts that will make you more aerodynamic, reduce rolling resistance, or just make you faster. But if you could simply change a fit detail on your bike and get faster, would it be worth it?

The latest episode of the Specialized Win Tunnel examines exactly that. Specifically, if you move to a narrower pedal stance width, will it make you faster? Predictably, making part of your fit narrower leads to faster times, but is it worth the change?

Zach Overholt

5,633 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Mike

5 years ago

And some guys, such as Mark Cavendish and Jens Voigt, go with the wide Dura Ace pedals in order to get proper alignment and comfort, which will lead to improved power and speed. Whatever the body needs, is what helps to make you faster.

Josh

5 years ago

BUT AERO IS EVERYTHING

Trail Assassin

5 years ago

Reply to Josh

Deep, bro.

edge

5 years ago

I’ve got the revere problem..narrow hips makes for a narrow Q-factor. So if I ride something like a Fat bike with a large Q-factor my legs feel like my feet are spread out and my legs are moving at an angle.

Larry Miller

5 years ago

I just bought the ISSI flash III in +12. Fuck heal strike! Fuck having my cleat on the very inside of toes.
Shimano needs to make a wider mtb spindle for M8000 pedals.

James Turner

5 years ago

The problem is individual physiology. When you go for a bike fit your stance is normally changed to make sure knee tracking is straight. I know that i had to move my feet out a couple of mm to stop my right knee splaying out at the top of its stroke. So without access to a win tunnel I’d have no idea of net gain or loss. I would however take 2mm wider for long term biomacamical efficiency..