Left foot forward
#1
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From: Wild Wonderful West Virginia
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Surly Karate Monkey, Specialized Fuze, Bianchi Volpe, too many others and a lot of broken frame
Left foot forward
Of all of the years I have been riding something dawned on me during a mountain bike ride this morning, when standing and coasting on the trail, the pedals are at 3 and 9 o'clock position and my left foot is forward. I tried to ride with my right foot forward and couldnt do it.
Next time out try it.
Next time out try it.
#3
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From: Pacifica, CA
Bikes: Lapierre Pulsium 500 FdJ, Ritchey breakaway cyclocross, vintage trek mtb.
It doesn't really matter except that if you prefer putting your right foot down when standing around, you run the risk of bumping your calf to the chainring. I always unclip left foot instead, and thus start pedaling right foot forward.
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#4
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Bikes: 2013 Rivendell Sam, 1996 Bianchi Milano, 1994 Trek 820
If your left foot is forward, your pedals are at 9 o'clock on both sides... Think about it
I've always favored that position too—coasting, starting off, and when I lift off the saddle for bumps. I'd imagine it's the same for most people who mount their bike from the port side... Balance and muscle memory.
I've always favored that position too—coasting, starting off, and when I lift off the saddle for bumps. I'd imagine it's the same for most people who mount their bike from the port side... Balance and muscle memory.
#5
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 547
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From: Wild Wonderful West Virginia
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Surly Karate Monkey, Specialized Fuze, Bianchi Volpe, too many others and a lot of broken frame
If your left foot is forward, your pedals are at 9 o'clock on both sides... Think about it
I've always favored that position too—coasting, starting off, and when I lift off the saddle for bumps. I'd imagine it's the same for most people who mount their bike from the port side... Balance and muscle memory.
I've always favored that position too—coasting, starting off, and when I lift off the saddle for bumps. I'd imagine it's the same for most people who mount their bike from the port side... Balance and muscle memory.
#6
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From: Texas
Bikes: Mongoose bmx. Specialized bmx. Trek mountain bike.
Right forward is my natural position. The last couple of rides though, I rode switch while coasting and standing on the pedals. It just felt...wrong, haha.
#7
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From: Rogers, AR
Bikes: '87 Giant Iguana, Nishiki designed Kamra Aero II, Schwinn Loop folder, 1985 Fuji Pallisade Mixte
I do mine interchangably. I do, however, count cadence on my left foot, on the theory that, since most people are stronger on the right side (Me, definitely) the attention placed on the left leg will offset that some. Maybe not, but it seems to work for me.
#10
Sheldon Brown claimed that left foot forward when putting pressure on both pedals was better on the bottom bracket, splined ones or square taper. because right forward produces more reverse torque. It may loosen the cranks if coasting "goofy-footed" instead.
Left foot forward stresses the crank in the usual pedaling direction, right foot stresses backwards from the usual direction.
He's right as far as that goes but I'm not sure that I buy it that it really makes much of a difference.
Left foot forward stresses the crank in the usual pedaling direction, right foot stresses backwards from the usual direction.
He's right as far as that goes but I'm not sure that I buy it that it really makes much of a difference.
#11
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From: Rogers, AR
Bikes: '87 Giant Iguana, Nishiki designed Kamra Aero II, Schwinn Loop folder, 1985 Fuji Pallisade Mixte
I can't get my head around that last one. One foot pushes down in the normal pedaling direction, and one pushes down in the opposite direction, no matter which foot is forward. I don't really think it matters. Just to complicate things, sometimes I coast one up/one down anyway.
#12
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Is there a cream or course of pills I can get for this?
I've never given this any thought & have always driven off with the right foot. I tried the left, or sinister, foot & it felt completely wrong.
#14
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From: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Of all of the years I have been riding something dawned on me during a mountain bike ride this morning, when standing and coasting on the trail, the pedals are at 3 and 9 o'clock position and my left foot is forward. I tried to ride with my right foot forward and couldnt do it.
Next time out try it.
Next time out try it.
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#16
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Wild Wonderful West Virginia
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Surly Karate Monkey, Specialized Fuze, Bianchi Volpe, too many others and a lot of broken frame
#17
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From: Nashville, TN.
Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Comp SC - 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4 - 2015 Giant Roam 2 Disc
If I'm coasting around any kind of turn whatsoever, I position the pedals up or down depending on a right or left turn. Obviously, a right turn and the left pedal is down furthermost. As far as coasting in a straight line, I think it's always left foot forward for some reason.
#18
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 547
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From: Wild Wonderful West Virginia
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Surly Karate Monkey, Specialized Fuze, Bianchi Volpe, too many others and a lot of broken frame
If I'm coasting around any kind of turn whatsoever, I position the pedals up or down depending on a right or left turn. Obviously, a right turn and the left pedal is down furthermost. As far as coasting in a straight line, I think it's always left foot forward for some reason.
#19
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From: Nashville, TN.
Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Comp SC - 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4 - 2015 Giant Roam 2 Disc







