Road Cycling - Which foot?

Apologies if this seems too unimportant, but something I saw in a cycling magazine has me wondering if I�fm making a mistake when I stop my bike.
Among the many tips provided in a feature article for new riders, the author recommended putting the left foot down when stopping at lights, etc. Putting the right foot down was described as a no-no, but no explanation was given. For years, I�fve habitually put my right foot down. So now I�fm wondering if I need to switch. What do most people do?
Stopping to think about it, I suppose it would make sense to alternate. Is there some structural reason for putting one foot down and not the other?
:confused:

welcome to forum castaway..

I usually put my left foot when stopping.. I am used to using my left foot first(walking, etc.) So it seems its second nature to me..

I also put my left foot down because i'm more comfortable leaning to the left.. And pedal with my right(first stroke).

If you take a look at motorcycles, they usually have their stands on the left too... Reason: I don't know...

Does it matter that you are in Japan and ride on the left? I usually stop with my right foot down, but here we ride on the right.

Joe

castaway: I don't think it really matters which foot you put down. I almost always put my right foot down. Just keep doing whatever you feel the most comfortable doing.

Zack

Originally posted by dexmax

If you take a look at motorcycles, they usually have their stands on the left too... Reason: I don't know...

I think because the brake pedal is on the right.

I have always put my left foot down but I don't think I have a good reason for it. I think I do it because my right leg is
dominant and I want to get that good first stroke so I can then clip in the other foot.

This is probably stretching for an answer but if you put your left foot down you are less likely to fall into traffic. This is of course assuming that you drive on the right hand side of the road. If you were to fall you are more likely to fall to the side that is still clipped in. Since Japan I believe drives on the left, you probably should put your right foot down first.

Just keep doing what feels natural to you.

On a motorcycle I always put my left foot down, because I am using the rear bbrake, but then switch feet, so my right foot is dwon and my left on the shifter. On a bicycle this makes a whole lot less sense. I usually put the left foot down because of the crown of the road, and motorcycle habit, but there seems little other reason.

i put my right foot down so that i can rest it on the curb (if there is one) so that i don't have to stand out of the saddle.

I believe that the premise is (at least in the states, where
we drive on the right) that if only 1 foot is unclipped,
that foot should be the foot towards traffic,
during a fall the rider can put that foot down.
Ever see a rider overcompensate and fall towards the
clipped in side (at a stand still no less)? If rider is in
extreme right lane he/she won't fall into the traffic, but will
fall towards curb. That said I tend
to unclip right foot, it just feels more natural to me.


Marty

what about putting your left foot down to avoid chain marks on your legs?

Just as descartes said, you put your left foot down unclipped to keep the chainring tattoo off of your right leg. It makes you look like a rookie if you have chain marks on your leg. I used to ride motocross & hare scrambles and used to start with my right foot down on motocross (live engine start) and put my left foot down for harescrambles ( dead engine start) you have to kick with your right leg on japaneese bikes.

It has nothing to do with what side of the road you ride on. Here in Australia we ride on the left and most people pull their left foot.

Anyway, you can check out this link to see a poll (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?threadid=22199) done on the forums a short while back.

The issue has been discussed in a number of threads.

Originally posted by mnppunky
It makes you look like a rookie if you have chain marks on your leg.

Too bad for the guy that had that tatoo - wasn't there someone on the board that had a chainring tattoo on their calf?

This goes in the list of silly bicyclist beliefs that I have heard hear before - along with:

-Kickstands are bad (too heavy, unlike my beer gut). Ok, yes - you mad dog racers will notice the difference, no one else will.

-CamelBacks are uncool (Too, um, uncool). Actually I stopped using mine, but because I couldnt suck enough water out of it between heaving gasps after climbing a hill :).

-Reflectors in the wheels - Aack, how tacky, safety. Yeah, I know, they are not as good as a light, but they are an additional function.

I alternate feet so I wear the cleats on my shoes evenly. I don't know if this is an unfounded idea or not but I figure every time you pop the foot out you put wear on either the pedal or the cleat so I alternate so as to make it even. Maybe it's a stupid idea. I have fallen from a stop so the left foot down idea to fall into the curb makes good sense to me.

Originally posted by lotek
I believe that the premise is (at least in the states, where
we drive on the right) that if only 1 foot is unclipped,
that foot should be the foot towards traffic,
during a fall the rider can put that foot down.
Ever see a rider overcompensate and fall towards the
clipped in side (at a stand still no less)? If rider is in
extreme right lane he/she won't fall into the traffic, but will
fall towards curb. That said I tend
to unclip right foot, it just feels more natural to me.


Marty
i like this explanation and was going to say the same thing but i GARENTEE it's a throw back to horse riding days where you mount and dismount from the left.

Originally posted by The Toninator
i like this explanation and was going to say the same thing but i GARENTEE it's a throw back to horse riding days where you mount and dismount from the left.

yeah, but only in Texas :roflmao:

Marty

Originally posted by RollingGeek

This goes in the list of silly bicyclist beliefs that I have heard hear before - along with:

Actually there are some practical reasons for these "silly bicyclist beliefs".


Originally posted by RollingGeek

-Kickstands are bad (too heavy, unlike my beer gut). Ok, yes - you mad dog racers will notice the difference, no one else will.

Kickstands on MTBs and especially if you're actually MTB'ing is VERY bad as they tend to accidently deploy and can catch rocks and other obstacles. There is also a danger as a result of the above happening of causing the kickstand to get pushed into your rear wheel with the obvious disastruous results. Some bike frames will not accept a kickstand reliably


Originally posted by RollingGeek

-CamelBacks are uncool (Too, um, uncool). Actually I stopped using mine, but because I couldnt suck enough water out of it between heaving gasps after climbing a hill :).


I always use one for MTB'ing unless I'm just heading out for a short hop on the trails behind my house. For road rides, it depends. I find my back gets hot with them so I don't carry them unless I really think I'll need them. I find there are plenty of places to stop to refill my waterbottles and it gives me an excuse for a break. I'm able to stuff almost everything else I need into my jersey.


Originally posted by RollingGeek

-Reflectors in the wheels - Aack, how tacky, safety. Yeah, I know, they are not as good as a light, but they are an additional function.

When MTB'ing these things usually end up as trail litter from brand new bikes and cyclists who haven't been clued in to taking them off to begin with. Sometimes they can be dangerous. I've had one turn sideways and lodge in my forks which of caused me to endo and wiped out quite a few spokes in the process. On the road, they're probably less of a concern but I also see too many of these end up as just more trash/litter along the side of the road. Bright reflective clothing and proper lights is a much better solution.

Well, remember I posted these in the Road Cycling section.

Of course, as silly as they are, I don't have any reflectors or a kickstand on my road bike, and recently gave up my CamelBack -- so what does that tell you ?

I still think Roadies can be a bit too consumned with image - which is a riot considering how bad most of us look decked out in our gear :)

Originally posted by RollingGeek
I still think Roadies can be a bit too consumned with image - which is a riot considering how bad most of us look decked out in our gear :)

amen to that! roadies look ridiculous, except when they're racing, when being decked out from head to toe in team apparel is quite cool and sexy. i try to cut out as much flamboyance as possible when i'm out riding my bike. the shoes i can't help, and neither the shorts.

When I first started going clipless, I made it a point to alternately use both feet so my cleat would wear evenly. Now after all these years, I automatically unclip whichever foot is most convinient and safe for that particular moment......and I don't even have to think......it became second nature. I don't have a dominant foot.

Now, when I was growing up in Yokohama, I always put my left foot down for obvious reasons.

Originally posted by George
When I first started going clipless, I made it a point to alternately use both feet so my cleat would wear evenly. Now after all these years, I automatically unclip whichever foot is most convinient and safe for that particular moment......and I don't even have to think......it became second nature. I don't have a dominant foot.

Now, when I was growing up in Yokohama, I always put my left foot down for obvious reasons.

How do you do it? I'll try practicing putting my right foot down...

When I have clipless pedals, the right foot comes down first. When I have straps, the left foot comes down first. I don't know why. Same sides first when I clip in. Be comfortable with whichever side you choose. Being able to clip out on both sides first might be handy in some go-slow situations to avoid falling.

R

Originally posted by dexmax
How do you do it? I'll try practicing putting my right foot down...
I can also chew gum in both sides of my mouth...