Pedalling Technique
07-22-15 | 10:47 AM
#26
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From: TN
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Push down. Left,right,left,right. To go faster push down harder. There is ABSOLUTELY no benefit whatsoever to try to pull up or pedal in circles. It's been proven time and again over and over in every study ever done on cyclists.
It is physiologically impossible to develop enough force in your hip flexor pulling up to help your opposing leg that is pushing down. You just make yourself more tired. You may be able to do it for a second or two when climbing a supersteep hill in a really low cadence. But other than that just push down.
It is physiologically impossible to develop enough force in your hip flexor pulling up to help your opposing leg that is pushing down. You just make yourself more tired. You may be able to do it for a second or two when climbing a supersteep hill in a really low cadence. But other than that just push down.
07-22-15 | 10:53 AM
#27
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There's another thread talking about super steep hills. You might use the pull up technique to top these hills if you made it 3/4 of the way before running out of gears and momentum, but that's about it as far as pulling up goes.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
07-22-15 | 11:26 AM
#28
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Have to say that pulling through and up HAS worked for me. One place in particular was Woodrow Bean Trans Mountain Rd. in El Paso.
Last edited by OldTryGuy; 07-22-15 at 11:30 AM.
07-23-15 | 02:52 AM
#29
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07-23-15 | 04:03 AM
#30
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From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Watching the TdeF you will see many riders with knees tucked closer to the top tube than the average recreational rider. First cycling book I read 40 years ago referenced tucked in knees for TTing along with an alternating rest rotation every 8 to 10 cranks along with ankling.
07-23-15 | 05:20 AM
#31
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What is a power meter? It sounds like that thing the electric company hangs on the side of my house to see how much electricity I use, but that doesn't have anything to do with cycling.
I've been riding for nearly 50 years. I learned to ride back in the 1970's before there was anything like clipless pedals, index shifting, aero anything, computers, power meters, etc. We all rode fine, and those from my generation still ride fine. All I know now is that I'm univerally praised by everyone who drafts off me about how easy I am to follow, so smooth and steady. It's in my pedaling. I don't know what a "power meter" has to do with that.
As for as power, first, I'm not a competitive cyclist at all, no racing or anything, so I'm not comparing myself to them. But among the recreational cyclists I ride with (some of whom are pretty good - you know, people who routinely ride 400 miles each weekend as their normal weekend ride, and people who have no trouble doing 9 hour double centuries) - I outsprint these people with me sitting in the saddle and them standing. My 3/4 revolution power stroke is stronger than their just downstroke sprint. I don't need any sort of a "power meter" to know what amount of power I have or don't have or how to use it.
Another example - I wanted to take a nice relaxing "rest" ride. Got out a comfy Cannondale touring bike with racks and fender and low gears, etc. Rode easily, spinning comfortable gears. Along comes a guy, stomping hard in a definite downstroke only riding style - you could just see in in his whole body motion on the bike. He gradually, very slowly passes me, and I get to observe his riding. At this point on this road I was moving along about 18 mph, he was doing 19 or 20, and you could just tell he was working nearly twice as hard as I was to move a lighter weight bicycle just barely faster than I. So yes, as described above, you'll ride faster with less energy used.
I put this up to help the original poster pedal better. He asked. I have a definite system that's worked well for me. I share it with him.
I complain back at you because I don't know what your question about a power meter has to do with anything I said, and then when you end it with "huh" you make it sound negative or critical or insulting. I'm trying to be positive to the OP, not negative, I'm trying to help him and others, not be critical, and I don't like to get the feeling that you're insulting me because of my pedaling technique or suggestions to help another cyclist. If this was not your intention, then I'm sorry for misunderstanding you and complaining, but your question to me sounds critical and to end it with "huh" just sounds insulting.
I've been riding for nearly 50 years. I learned to ride back in the 1970's before there was anything like clipless pedals, index shifting, aero anything, computers, power meters, etc. We all rode fine, and those from my generation still ride fine. All I know now is that I'm univerally praised by everyone who drafts off me about how easy I am to follow, so smooth and steady. It's in my pedaling. I don't know what a "power meter" has to do with that.
As for as power, first, I'm not a competitive cyclist at all, no racing or anything, so I'm not comparing myself to them. But among the recreational cyclists I ride with (some of whom are pretty good - you know, people who routinely ride 400 miles each weekend as their normal weekend ride, and people who have no trouble doing 9 hour double centuries) - I outsprint these people with me sitting in the saddle and them standing. My 3/4 revolution power stroke is stronger than their just downstroke sprint. I don't need any sort of a "power meter" to know what amount of power I have or don't have or how to use it.
Another example - I wanted to take a nice relaxing "rest" ride. Got out a comfy Cannondale touring bike with racks and fender and low gears, etc. Rode easily, spinning comfortable gears. Along comes a guy, stomping hard in a definite downstroke only riding style - you could just see in in his whole body motion on the bike. He gradually, very slowly passes me, and I get to observe his riding. At this point on this road I was moving along about 18 mph, he was doing 19 or 20, and you could just tell he was working nearly twice as hard as I was to move a lighter weight bicycle just barely faster than I. So yes, as described above, you'll ride faster with less energy used.
I put this up to help the original poster pedal better. He asked. I have a definite system that's worked well for me. I share it with him.
I complain back at you because I don't know what your question about a power meter has to do with anything I said, and then when you end it with "huh" you make it sound negative or critical or insulting. I'm trying to be positive to the OP, not negative, I'm trying to help him and others, not be critical, and I don't like to get the feeling that you're insulting me because of my pedaling technique or suggestions to help another cyclist. If this was not your intention, then I'm sorry for misunderstanding you and complaining, but your question to me sounds critical and to end it with "huh" just sounds insulting.
07-23-15 | 12:56 PM
#32
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: Bianchi Lupo & Bianchi Volpe Disc: touring. Bianchi Volpe: commuting
Pedalling Technique
Try keeping your knees in close to the TT. It may/will feel a bit wierd at first, but once you get used to it you'll find that in the same gear, with the same effort, you'll have a higher cadence = going faster 
Can someone chime in with a better explanation?
Check out the TdF riders, their knees are in... Simply more efficient.
Can someone chime in with a better explanation?
Check out the TdF riders, their knees are in... Simply more efficient.
07-23-15 | 01:32 PM
#33
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From: Western NC mountains
Bikes: Trek Domane gen 5, Marin Gestalt X10, Diamondback Century 3. Marin Four Corners
I don't know, maybe it's "newb ignorance" on my part but I believe I definitely found a whole new world open up when I first clipped in to my mtn bike last year. I believe I can enlist different muscle groups, even resting some while employing others by being clipped in. I feel benefits by pulling back, pulling up, toe down, heel down, etc, in addition to the standard down stroke, gaining torque and acceleration above and beyond the basic down stroke. This has proven to be the case with me as well while road biking. No way will I ever be convinced that simply downstroking on platforms is just as efficient as varying peddling styles or applying force in differing directions, or at least, my experience to this point with clipless has me convinced at this point. I realize this doesn't apply to everyone and some simply like the platforms and that's fine. I will say, the transition from platforms to clipless on my mtn bike ended in some blood letting while transitioning. I've yet to fall over on the road bike by not getting unclipped. I'm sure this too will come to pass.
But my real point of this is, everything and anything can simply be over complicated or we can over think things. Personally, I have a goal of hopefully building a peddling style that is efficient and works for me, which will help me ride that first century in a month or two. But I don't want to overthink it, I just go out there and ride to have fun.
And I admit, I don't know what a power meter is either.
But my real point of this is, everything and anything can simply be over complicated or we can over think things. Personally, I have a goal of hopefully building a peddling style that is efficient and works for me, which will help me ride that first century in a month or two. But I don't want to overthink it, I just go out there and ride to have fun.
And I admit, I don't know what a power meter is either.
07-23-15 | 04:38 PM
#34
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From: Ellensburg,WA
Bikes: Schwinn Broadway, Specialized Secteur Sport(crashed) Spec. Roubaix Sport, Spec. Crux
Clipping in keeps my feet in the same spot with each pedal stroke, something that simply does not happen with platform pedals. I work on keeping my cadence high, always shooting for >90rpm unless climbing the steep stuff.
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