Question about pedaling with one foot unclipped
06-19-13, 01:21 PM
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Question about pedaling with one foot unclipped
I thought I read or saw some video about pedaling with each foot unclipped to check something or do something. I can't remember. Anyways when I unclipped my left foot and pedal with my right I have a nice smooth stroke Feels great. Now if I I unclip my right foot and pedal with my left I have a horrible stroke. It's not fluid at all and very riged. It's more of an up and down motion I would say and feels like at the top of the stroke when I go to push the pedal is stuck and when I push on it it goes around very fast until it gets to the top again. What is the cause of this? Is it a fit or cleat thing or is this Normal and a technique thing?
06-19-13, 02:10 PM
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One cause could be that your left foot is shorter than your right. Just a guess though. You can't have a smooth pedaling stroke if your bottoming out early. You should know if you start rocking to that side.
06-19-13, 02:12 PM
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Is your stroke smooth when both are clipped in? While some believe training 1 footed pedaling helps, there are many coaches that argue that it doesn't actually help. As long as you can pedal smoothly with both feet in thats all that really matters
06-19-13, 02:20 PM
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I'm guessing it just means you're right leg dominant. I'm left leg dominant (for example, when I do a layup in basketball, I jump from my left foot), but I haven't tried one-legged riding to see if that translates into my left leg having a smoother pedal stroke. Maybe I'll try it on my ride home tonight...
06-19-13, 02:22 PM
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Your right foot's dominate, and you're more coordinated it with.
Do some one legged drills for a bit, and you should get better. Start with 30 seconds x 5. Work up to 2 minutes x 5, 2 sets, and you'll likely see your pedal stroke improve.
Do some one legged drills for a bit, and you should get better. Start with 30 seconds x 5. Work up to 2 minutes x 5, 2 sets, and you'll likely see your pedal stroke improve.
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06-19-13, 03:08 PM
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Thanks I will try the drill. And yah I feel smooth with both legs clipped in but I would assume it would be since both legs are working together at that point.
I am right handed but I am left footed if I play soccer
I am right handed but I am left footed if I play soccer
06-20-13, 04:37 AM
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I remember a few years back I did this and found the exact same problem, right foot was great left not so much.... I did some single legged pedal drills similar to the ones merlinextraligh recommended and the improvement was great. I found myself using more of my left leg (as i was very right leg dominant) and the whole pedal stoke felt smoother. I would definitely recommend some drills, they're very beneficial.
06-20-13, 08:33 AM
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As Merlin said, you are right foot dominant and doing one-legged drills will help you improve your pedal stroke.
I disagree with the sentiment that this is irrelevant because everything evens out when you have two legs pedaling together. One leg is just working harder than the other, and that can lead to injury - I know this from experience.
OP, when you do your one legged drills, be sure to focus on using all of your muscles: Quads across the top to push the foot forward, Glutes to push the foot down, hamstrings to pull the foot back and hip flexors to pull the foot up. It can be helpful to video yourself doing this - I've used my iPhone to do that. You want to create perfect circles with your heel. I'll be that if you looked at it right now, your heel is moving in an oval shape.
I disagree with the sentiment that this is irrelevant because everything evens out when you have two legs pedaling together. One leg is just working harder than the other, and that can lead to injury - I know this from experience.
OP, when you do your one legged drills, be sure to focus on using all of your muscles: Quads across the top to push the foot forward, Glutes to push the foot down, hamstrings to pull the foot back and hip flexors to pull the foot up. It can be helpful to video yourself doing this - I've used my iPhone to do that. You want to create perfect circles with your heel. I'll be that if you looked at it right now, your heel is moving in an oval shape.
