Monopedalling - uneven leg strength

[stewartp]

I've lifted this from the Audax forum I subscribe to. I'd be interested in BikeForums input:

> I wonder whether you cyclists all put as much effort into left
> pedalling as right pedalling and also, whether you pull up as well!
> Mono-pedalling works wonders on pedalling technique I guess...

Most folk have a preferred side. We've got a semi-pro racer here at work, and he claims that you can help share the work more evenly between legs if you count cadence as you pedal, but in waltz time (1.2.3.1.2.3...) rather than in march time (1.2.3.4.1.2.3.4...). Reason being that, even though it might be unconscious, you'll push a little harder on the beat ('1'). If you count in even numbers, that's always the same leg; if you count in odd numbers, it alternates.

Seems to help me on climbs, for whatever that's worth. Not that I'm a great climber, but then that means I need all the help I can get.

I'm definitely right sided, I'm sure I put in more effort/work with my right leg. I'm going to try the 123, 123 thing.

Stew

[RonH]

Sounds like it's worth a try.


Here's something I'd like explained if anyone has any thoughts.

When I stop I put my left foot on the ground. When I start riding again my left leg is the one that does the most "pushing" on the first stroke. I think that's why the muscles in my left leg are larger than my right. But when I'm sprinting or climbing, the left leg starts hurting or gets tired before the right.
Can anyone explain this?

[stewartp]

Originally posted by RonH
my left leg is the one that does the most "pushing" on the first stroke. I think that's why the muscles in my left leg are larger than my right. But when I'm sprinting or climbing, the left leg starts hurting or gets tired before the right.
Can anyone explain this?

Maybe its the difference between "slow twitch" and "fast twitch" muscles. The effort required from the push off may have better developed "fast twitch" in your left leg. The kind of muscles required for fast explosive anaerobic exercise. But they're no good for endurance, anaerobic stuff.

You've got a sprinter's left leg, and a marathoner's right!

You'll have to push off with the right leg for a month or two

Stew

[chewa]

When I was trying to decide if my bottom bracket was creaking, or my pedal, I tried mono pedaling. It's very difficult, but I found I could do it easier on my left side, maybe because I have some nerve damage in my right foot.

[stewartp]

Is monopedalling ever used by pro/am cyclists as an exercise or drill in the same way swimmers do one-armed swimming?

Stew

[RonH]

Thanks for the input Stew.

You'll have to push off with the right leg for a month or two

I'll have to practice that. Since I'm "left-footed" I'll probably fall over the first couple of times.

[ljbike]

Stewart, I have a video, put out by CycleOp for training. It has about 10 racers working with a coach on trainers. During the work out they disengage one foot from the pedal and keep churning with the other. Then they alternate.
Some computer driven trainers can actually measure the amount of effort each leg produces so that you can work on the "weak" side.