Do you coast?
06-24-09 | 11:53 AM
#28
Eternal Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Connecticut
Bikes: Univega Trail
+∞ !!!!!!Of course, what would be an unsafe speed for me might seem like poking along to the paceliners among us. I was quite pleased with myself yesterday afternoon, as I managed to stay in top gear on most of my descents on my ride home. This extended spell of wet and windy weather has made that sort of dicey lately. Between the wet spots, potholes hidden by puddles and fresh road debris, especially fallen branches, coasting downhill rather than hammering is only prudent.
What I've got to work on is getting the legs going on the bottom third of the hill, so I have some momentum on the following ascent, and can keep it out of granny gear.
Kevin
06-24-09 | 11:57 AM
#29
Señior Member
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Only when I can. I'm not in any hurry. I certainly coast down any hill, and often on level ground if I'm already up to over 20 MPH anyway.
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06-24-09 | 12:04 PM
#30
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I've coasted in the past. I made it a goal not coast this year if I could help it. Even down hills at 30+mph I still pedal, just to maintain a steady rythm in my cadence. I also feel more in control of my bike when I keep pedaling while riding downhill.
If my legs need a break, I usually just shift to a lower gear.
If my legs need a break, I usually just shift to a lower gear.
06-24-09 | 12:16 PM
#32
It's not bad form. More that you are a wuss. 
Just don't ask me if I coast on my geared bike descending a mountain.
Just don't ask me if I coast on my geared bike descending a mountain.
06-24-09 | 12:23 PM
#33
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From: GTA
Bikes: Dahon Mu SL 08 / Matrix 08
That's what i do in my daily commute.
since i do a 1.5 hrs ride 45km each way.
i'm not gunning my bike down the road as i used to anymore.
for a 90km round trip commute, i need to conserve as much energy in my muscle as possible.
So, coasting is the best way to enjoy commuting.
I usually pedal fast until i attain a comfortable coasting speed, then i just let it free ride until it slows back down to like 25km/h, and i again pump it up to about 35km/h
This way i keep my phase steady for longer period of times, without burning out.
since i do a 1.5 hrs ride 45km each way.
i'm not gunning my bike down the road as i used to anymore.
for a 90km round trip commute, i need to conserve as much energy in my muscle as possible.
So, coasting is the best way to enjoy commuting.
I usually pedal fast until i attain a comfortable coasting speed, then i just let it free ride until it slows back down to like 25km/h, and i again pump it up to about 35km/h
This way i keep my phase steady for longer period of times, without burning out.
The things we think about while riding. My mind goes everywhere. Last night on my way home (in 102 deg temps and 76%Rh) I was coasting down a shallow grade, still sweating. I started thinking about how nice it is to coast!
In the commuting forum I know we have Roadies who commute, MTBers who commute, Urban Assault riders who commute, BMX bikers who commute, and probably some other catagories I can't think of!
For me, I'm a long time (over 30 years now) long distance tourer. Hundreds of miles and several week trips are awesome. For years I paid close attention to my cadence. Touring, commuting, cruising, it didn't matter. Cadence was everything. Back then, NO COASTING.
Now that I'm a little older, I enjoy coasting. Slowing down to smell the flowers (sometimes literally)
So how about you? Do you coast?
Jerry H
In the commuting forum I know we have Roadies who commute, MTBers who commute, Urban Assault riders who commute, BMX bikers who commute, and probably some other catagories I can't think of!
For me, I'm a long time (over 30 years now) long distance tourer. Hundreds of miles and several week trips are awesome. For years I paid close attention to my cadence. Touring, commuting, cruising, it didn't matter. Cadence was everything. Back then, NO COASTING.
Now that I'm a little older, I enjoy coasting. Slowing down to smell the flowers (sometimes literally)
So how about you? Do you coast?
Jerry H
06-24-09 | 12:30 PM
#34
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,655
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
I rarely ever coast. About the only time I ever coast is when I ride my single speed because there's no point pedaling when you are totally spun out. I'm an old schooler as well, and I think it's bad form to coast, particularly on group rides. Nothing irks me more than someone supposedly taking a pull in a paceline and coasting down the hills. You're supposed to work when you're at the front.
Huh? This is a commuting list, not a Hammer Boy Shout Out.
06-24-09 | 12:31 PM
#35
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
i need to conserve as much energy in my muscle as possible.
So, coasting is the best way to enjoy commuting.
I usually pedal fast until i attain a comfortable coasting speed, then i just let it free ride until it slows back down to like 25km/h, and i again pump it up to about 35km/h
This way i keep my phase steady for longer period of times, without burning out.
So, coasting is the best way to enjoy commuting.
I usually pedal fast until i attain a comfortable coasting speed, then i just let it free ride until it slows back down to like 25km/h, and i again pump it up to about 35km/h
This way i keep my phase steady for longer period of times, without burning out.
06-24-09 | 12:33 PM
#36
Been Around Awhile
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
06-24-09 | 12:48 PM
#37
Senior Member
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
excuuuuussssse me ...
Sorry, I forgot that I was in the wussy-boy, coast-down-the-hills forum. One of my main reasons for cycling is exercise. You don't get much exercise coasting. Plus you go a lot slower. One of the things that coasters overlook is that speed and momentum are your friends when it comes to climbing. So if you pedal down hills and get going as fast as you, it's much easier and faster going up the other side.
06-24-09 | 01:04 PM
#38
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
06-24-09 | 01:09 PM
#39
cherish the day
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: South Pasadena, CA
Bikes: Rivendel Sam Hillborne, SOMA San Marcos
Sorry, I forgot that I was in the wussy-boy, coast-down-the-hills forum. One of my main reasons for cycling is exercise. You don't get much exercise coasting. Plus you go a lot slower. One of the things that coasters overlook is that speed and momentum are your friends when it comes to climbing. So if you pedal down hills and get going as fast as you, it's much easier and faster going up the other side.
I'm glad that your brought up this point, but I'd like to suggest that there are other great opportunities when coasting is just fine. Yes, attaining optimum efficiency is great if that's your thing, but I don't think it's always necessary. Isn't the exercise attained from pedalling up the hill good for you even if you don't pedal down the hill? LOL, very true.
06-24-09 | 01:12 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,656
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From: Long Island, NY
Generally speaking, the more you cycle, the less you coast, because its less efficient than pedalling a constant speed. As your fitness and experience levels improve, your body naturally seeks out efficiency.
The only exceptions to this, of course, would be when decelerating or descending.
But I'm with IL2B on this one...who cares, you're commuting.
The only exceptions to this, of course, would be when decelerating or descending.
But I'm with IL2B on this one...who cares, you're commuting.
06-24-09 | 01:20 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
~~~~~ sigh~~~
Lighten up, Francis*. This is the commuting forum.
*(It's a movie reference, btw.)
06-24-09 | 01:23 PM
#42
My legs tend to stiffen up easily. Hence the reason I minimize coasting on my geared bikes as well.
That is until I hit around 40mph. Clamping down on my top tube with my knees makes it difficult to pedal.
That is until I hit around 40mph. Clamping down on my top tube with my knees makes it difficult to pedal.
06-24-09 | 01:30 PM
#43
Go Leafs
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 348
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From: Milwaukee
Under normal weather conditions I rarely coast.
06-24-09 | 01:32 PM
#44
aka Timi
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: Bianchi Lupo & Bianchi Volpe Disc: touring. Bianchi Volpe: commuting
Sorry could someone explain what "coasting" means? Is it anytime you stop pedalling, like even after grinding up a hill to let your muscles relax on the way down, or more the technique of pedalling for a while then just rolling on flat stretches, before pedalling again? thanx 
06-24-09 | 01:37 PM
#45
It is when you stop pedaling for whatever reason.
06-24-09 | 01:39 PM
#46
Senior Member
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From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
06-24-09 | 01:45 PM
#49
If you like a fun time try to coast on a fixed gear. This is especially fun when going from standing to sitting. Weeee!
06-24-09 | 01:53 PM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.
I coast on the way to the train fron my house, not so much on the other end. The trip from the station to the house is all either uphill, taking the lane on a 4-lane road (e.g., 2 lanes in each direction), or dealing with traffic lights.
Coasting is fun... except when you need to brake going downhill for miles and miles. My poor hands!
Coasting is fun... except when you need to brake going downhill for miles and miles. My poor hands!
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