Road Cycling - Pedal Efficiency??

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ChicagoPhil
07-07-04, 12:12 AM
I recently got clipless pedals and I am in love with them. I was wondering if anyone had any insight/resources to pedal more efficiently? I understand the pulling up and pushing down part, but I heard somewhere that the angle of your foot can make a huge diffrence. ALSO do gears play a big role in pedal efficiency?

I am trying to up my training so I can race sometime before the end of summer so any help from an experienced rider would be awesome!

thanks in advance.

khuon
07-07-04, 12:25 AM
There are various schools of thoughts on techniques such as ankling. I've always been told to pedal like you're scraping mud off the bottom of your shoes.
Raiyn
07-07-04, 12:25 AM
The best way to learn is to take spin classes at a local gym

Thylacine
07-07-04, 12:34 AM
Buy a set of Rotor cranks!

JUST KIDDING!

I always find it interesting to try different pedaling styles/techniques to find out what styles use different muscles. However, all you really need to know for now is try to pedal in circles, not just push up and down.

Smoothness and leg speed is also important in terms of efficiency and accelleration - try to be spinning your legs at 70-90rpms regardless of your speed, say smooth, don't bounce in the saddle or rock your hips or move your upper body too much.

Worry about other 'advanced' techinques later I say.
MichaelW
07-07-04, 11:32 AM
The old advice was that cranks don't stretch, even if you press hard. Spin in circles.
Toyota_4Runner
07-07-04, 11:35 AM
Buy a set of Rotor cranks!

JUST KIDDING!

I always find it interesting to try different pedaling styles/techniques to find out what styles use different muscles. However, all you really need to know for now is try to pedal in circles, not just push up and down.

Smoothness and leg speed is also important in terms of efficiency and accelleration - try to be spinning your legs at 70-90rpms regardless of your speed, say smooth, don't bounce in the saddle or rock your hips or move your upper body too much.

Worry about other 'advanced' techinques later I say.

I agree! For right now just practice spinning in circles. Good way to do this is do one leg at a time. This will realy allow you to feel any glitch in your spin.