Why Don’t New Bikes Come With Pedals?
Why Don’t New Bikes Come With Pedals?
When you purchase a new bike, you may be surprised to find that it comes with no pedals. This seemingly odd choice has left many new cyclists scratching their heads. Why don't bikes come with pedals, and what's the reasoning behind it?
Which bikes do and don’t come with pedals?
As a general rule most bikes below about £1000 will come with pedals. Bikes over £1000 will typically be supplied without pedals. If pedals are not mentioned in the specifications for the bike you should assume they are not included.
3 Reasons Why bikes don't come with pedals?
1. Personalization and Riding Style
Riders often have specific preferences when it comes to the type of pedals they use. Some cyclists prefer flat pedals for a casual, comfortable ride, while others opt for clipless pedals that allow for a more secure connection and enhancing pedalling efficiency. Within clipless pedals there are then different systems such as Look and Shimano which are not compatible with each other.
Bike brands assume that most people buying bikes over about £1000 will already have a preference on the type of pedals they like. By omitting pedals, bike manufacturers let riders choose the pedal system that best suits their riding style, comfort, and performance preferences. This personalization ensures that cyclists can tailor their bikes to their specific needs and enjoy a more comfortable and enjoyable riding experience.
2. Quality and Performance
Pedals vary massively in price. You can get a basic flat set for £20 or a super lightweight carbon set of clipless pedals for £200. If you are super serious about your training, you can get pedals with built in power meters for £400 to £500.
Rather than including generic pedals that may not meet the expectations of serious cyclists, manufacturers leave the choice of pedals to the rider. This approach allows cyclists to invest in pedals that match their desired level of quality, whether it be lightweight, durable, or packed with smart tech.
3. Environmental Considerations
By reducing the number of components included with a new bike, manufacturers can minimize waste and packaging. With so many different types of pedal available it’s unlikely that anything manufacturers include will suit everyone. If 50% of pedals supplied with bikes turned out to be unsuitable that’s a lot of wasted metal and plastic.
What Pedals Do I Need?
If you've bought, or are buying, a bike that doesn't come with pedals you can choose from a range of flat or clipped versions. Although there are many different styles of pedal all adult pedals come as a standard size which is 9/16.
