Recently, I’ve encountered a noticeable difference in pedal stroke feel between my gravel bike and road bike. On the gravel bike, the pedal stroke feels remarkably even and stable, with a consistent pressure distribution across my feet. However, switching to my road bike, the sensation is quite different. It feels as though I’m pushing more through the outer edges of my feet, almost like a precarious imbalance. Interestingly, both bikes use the same cycling shoes, just with different cleat types (SPD on the gravel, SPD-SL on the road bike), eliminating shoes as a variable.
Intrigued by this disparity, I decided to investigate the potential causes. After swapping pedals between the two bikes to isolate variables, I pinpointed two key factors contributing to this difference in feel: q-factor and cleat positioning.
Firstly, I discovered that the q-factor on my gravel bike is wider, approximately 3-4mm per side, totaling about 7mm overall. This wider stance naturally positions my feet further apart. Secondly, the cleat positioning also played a role. On the gravel bike, my cleats were positioned with my heels slightly more inward towards the chainstay compared to the road bike, where they were set up more directly in line.
To test my hypothesis, I experimented with temporary fixes on my road bike. Using washers to extend the spindle length on the road bike pedals (a temporary measure solely for fit assessment) effectively widened the q-factor. Additionally, I adjusted my cleat position to mimic the gravel bike setup. The result was transformative. The pedal stroke immediately felt more powerful and efficient. During trainer sessions with resistance, I could feel a greater engagement of my quadriceps muscles. Previously, it felt as if power generation was originating more from the outer hips and quads.
While further testing is needed, particularly concerning cadence and long-term economy, these initial adjustments are promising. I’ve already ordered a pair of Ultegra pedals with longer axles to permanently implement this wider q-factor on my road bike.
Interestingly, I also experimented with my mountain bike, which has a significantly wider q-factor than both my gravel and road bikes. In that case, the q-factor felt excessively wide, indicating that for me, the 3-4mm extension seems to be the optimal adjustment.
Has anyone else experimented with increasing the q-factor on their road bike or experienced similar differences between bikes with varying q-factors? I’m keen to hear about your experiences and insights.
