Anyone considering buying a racing bike for the first time almost always stumbles across the same question:
"Wait a minute... why aren't there any pedals?"
After all, pedals are as much a part of a bicycle as tires or handlebars.
By Fabian Huber 3 minutes read time
Published: February 5, 2026 | Updated: February 5, 2026
The fact that many road bikes are still delivered without pedals has good reasons – and these are directly related to riding style, efficiency, and personal preferences. Understanding this is particularly important for beginners to avoid making the wrong purchase (and frustration).
Pedals play a significantly larger role in road cycling than in everyday or trekking bikes. They influence:
the power transmission
the cadence
driving efficiency
comfort on longer journeys
In short: pedals are a key performance component – and extremely individual.
While city bikes almost always come with simple platform pedals, road bikes offer a variety of pedal systems that differ significantly. Manufacturers would inevitably install "something" – and that often doesn't suit the rider.
Therefore, most brands deliberately leave the decision to the buyer.
More ambitious cyclists often already own pedals, cleats, and suitable shoes and want to continue using them on their new road bike. A pre-assembled pedal would then only incur unnecessary costs.
Pedals can easily cost between 50 and 200 euros or more, depending on the system. If high-quality pedals were fitted as standard, it would increase the selling price. Cheap pedals, on the other hand, are not suitable for the demands of a racing bike.
There are basically three relevant options for road cycling beginners.
Platform pedals are commonly found on everyday bicycles. You ride with normal shoes, there's no need to clip in, everything feels familiar immediately.
Advantages:
No special shoes required
intuitive and safe
ideal for short test drives
Disadvantages:
poor power transmission
The foot can slip.
inefficient on longer journeys
👉 Conclusion: Okay for the first few meters, but not a long-term solution for road cycling.
Clipless pedals connect the shoe and pedal via a cleat plate. The foot is fixed in place but can be released by twisting it outwards.
Typical road bike systems are:
SPD-SL (Shimano)
Look Keo
Advantages:
very efficient power transmission
smoother step
secure footing, even at high cadence
Disadvantages:
Special shoes are required.
It takes some getting used to (yes, almost everyone falls over at the beginning 😄)
👉 Conclusion: Anyone who seriously wants to ride a racing bike can hardly avoid clipless pedals.
SPD pedals (originally from the MTB sector) are very popular with beginners.
Advantages:
easy clicking in and out
You can walk well in these shoes.
ideal for everyday use, commuting and touring
Disadvantages:
Slightly less contact area than pure racing bike pedals
👉 Conclusion: Perfect for beginners who want to combine safety, comfort and everyday usability.
Especially at the beginning, a smooth release is crucial. Many systems offer adjustable release tension – you should take advantage of this.
Pedals and shoes must be compatible. Road cycling shoes are:
stiff (better power transmission)
light
but less comfortable when walking
SPD shoes are usually a bit softer and more suitable for everyday use.
short after-work rounds → SPD or even platform
Longer tours & training → Clipless pedals
City + racing bike → SPD systems with dual-sided use
Just because professionals use ultralight, high-end pedals doesn't mean they're suitable for beginners. Comfort, confidence, and control are more important than a few grams of weight.
❌ Trigger sensitivity set too high
❌ Cleats incorrectly mounted → Knee pain
❌ Buying high-end systems too early
❌ No need to plan for an adjustment period
💡 Tip: Do your first click tests on a meadow or against a house wall – this will save you from getting bruises.
Selling racing bikes without pedals is not a cost-cutting measure, but a conscious decision for individuality . The pedal system significantly determines how safe, efficient, and relaxed one's riding experience is on a racing bike.
For beginners:
Platform pedals : just for a taster session
SPD pedals : ideal start
Road bike clipless pedals : the next step as your passion grows
Those who make this conscious decision lay the foundation for many pain-free, efficient and, above all, fun kilometers on their racing bike.
Almost every road cyclist remembers this moment: You're rolling slowly up to a traffic light, everything is relaxed – and then you simply tip over . Not quickly, not spectacularly, but agonizingly slowly.
Ein Tubeless-System funktioniert nur so gut wie die Dichtmilch, die darin zirkuliert. Sie dichtet kleine Einstiche in Sekundenschnelle ab – aber nur, wenn sie noch flüssig und wirksam ist. Wer sie vernachlässigt, riskiert, dass der Reifen bei der nächsten Panne nicht mehr selbst abdichtet oder schleichend Luft verliert. Die gute Nachricht: Dichtmilch nachfüllen oder wechseln ist einfacher als viele denken.
Die Tour de France 2026 ist entschieden: Tadej Pogačar fährt zum fünften Mal in Gelb nach Paris und schließt zu den Rekordsiegern auf. Das Finale über den Montmartre entschied Mathieu van der Poel um eine halbe Radlänge – gegen seinen eigenen Sprinter.
