Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
Well....
• Every single graph I've seen, including vector data when standing, indicates that no one actually applies power to the drivetrain on the upstroke. This includes data collected from a variety of average wattages, cadences, inclines, body positions and pedaling styles.
And as far as I can tell, they are all steady-state trainer measurements
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
• No one has provided any data based on sprinting which shows otherwise..
I'm guessing they don't exist because it hasnt been the subject of a study. Everything we have seen has been about pedaling techniques - which makes sense. These are the things trainers would want to study. They don't do these things just to satisfy their curiosity, they are looking for things that could get them results.
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
• No one has bothered to explain, based on objective data, why sprinting would be so vastly different that it radically changes the apparent biomechanics of the legs.
In the absence of any clear, relevant data, we have to fall back on our own, personal observations. Ask any experienced cyclists if the add power by pulling up on a hard, burst sprint effort or steep hill climb and I can assure you, they will almost all say yes. Yes, they could be all wrong, but without evidence, its the best we have. We've had a few people, including myself, report that we came unclipped on a climb or sprint. That seems to further add weight to the notion that a significant amount of force was being applied to the pedals for that to happen.
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
• Experts in the field like Pruitt and Burke, who do work with a variety of pros from a variety of disciplines, and most certainly have seen sprinters in action, indicate that even those riders don't add power to the drivetrain on the upstroke.
I would like to see the full context of those remarks. Its difficult to imagine they would be including sprints and steep climbs in that.
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
• The claims that "clipless lets you pull on the upstroke" are not limited to discussions of sprinting. (They might be for specific people, but most people who discuss clipless still believe the old wives tale version.)
I've seen that before, and I agree that these studies prove them wrong when it comes to cruising on a bike.
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
Also, perhaps you can clarify what would be so radically different about sprinting that would justify ignoring all of the data collected to date?
I could equally ask you to clarify what would make you expect that the data would be essentially the same. This is personal experience, that in those two conditions, I apply force to the pedals in a very different way than when I am cruising along.