Originally Posted by pedex
then you get pedaling theory from roadgator..........ok, how many people here apply more force when back pedaling with front foot pulling up than the rear foot pushing down? I dont, in fact I mostly push down. The front foot barely gets pulled on at all, just like pedaling forward, the foot pushing down does most of the work. As for skidding, anyone with lots of experience will likely admit that its a finesse maneuver, not brute strength, and standing with legs extended or almost extended they can handle lots of force in either direction.
I stated that as a sort of worst case scenario is one had clip-less pedals (it wouldn't happen that way with platforms or loose straps) and was trying to resist with all of their strength in both legs simultaneously.
skidding (and doing so with straightened legs) probably is better for your knees since its letting friction, and less so muscles and joints, do the work. but then you get into issues of control and ultimate braking power, and i was tying to keep this from digressing into a "just get a brake, problem solved" thread.