pedal technique
#1
pedal technique
although it may not seem so, I think many would agree that there are a lot of ways to pedal a bicycle, let alone a fixie...this of course has to do with seat position, seatpost angle, clips, etc...
what are some of yall experiences with changing or adjusting pedal technique...?
personally I'm trying to mentally train myself to stretch out my ankle position more, stretching the calf and achellies...as I often have a tendency to stay on my toes (although very rarely are my calf muscles sore or tight after riding)...not sure what implications this will have...maybe I'll be using the muscle more and allowing more use of the hamstring on the downstroke...we'll see...any input on this or related personal findings?
what are some of yall experiences with changing or adjusting pedal technique...?
personally I'm trying to mentally train myself to stretch out my ankle position more, stretching the calf and achellies...as I often have a tendency to stay on my toes (although very rarely are my calf muscles sore or tight after riding)...not sure what implications this will have...maybe I'll be using the muscle more and allowing more use of the hamstring on the downstroke...we'll see...any input on this or related personal findings?
#2
or tarckeemoon, depending
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,017
Likes: 2
From: the pesto of cities
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
Get up for the downstroke. Everybody get up.
#4
Sounds like you're talking about "ankling." Sheldon has some knee-jerk (har har) anecdotal evidence about how bad it is in his glossary, but he's full of sht here.
There's also this, which is a little less full of hot air: https://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-fa...ection-26.html
I tend to snap my foot down near the bottom of the downstroke to give it some momentum for the dead spot, then snap up with my calves on climbs or sprints, but that's me.
There's also this, which is a little less full of hot air: https://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-fa...ection-26.html
I tend to snap my foot down near the bottom of the downstroke to give it some momentum for the dead spot, then snap up with my calves on climbs or sprints, but that's me.
#9
what the **** is skitch?
as for me i have been trying to train myself to keep my feet more parallel as i tend to be toe out a little, which is probably bad for the knees.
i also noticed the other day that i have inadvertently started timing my lean when turning to when the inside pedal is up. sweet!
as for me i have been trying to train myself to keep my feet more parallel as i tend to be toe out a little, which is probably bad for the knees.
i also noticed the other day that i have inadvertently started timing my lean when turning to when the inside pedal is up. sweet!
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Don't call it Beantown
Bikes: Iro Mark V Fix and a 24" Nirve bmx
Skitching is when you grab onto something that's moving while riding so it can tow you down the road without you expending energy. My favorite is pickup trucks, but cars with spoilers, wheelwells or buses with large turn signals are also excelllent. Large trucks that seem to have desiel engines seem quite nice for skitching because they have to flip through lots of gears in order to accelerate so you don't get yanked around.
please note: skitching is dangerous/bad idea. One guy started yelling at me that his dad ran over his best friend while skitching.
please note: skitching is dangerous/bad idea. One guy started yelling at me that his dad ran over his best friend while skitching.
#11
https://www.greatcycling.com/content/...es/squares.pdf
This is an article I found very helpful when I wanted to learn about pedaling mechanics and effeciancy.
This is an article I found very helpful when I wanted to learn about pedaling mechanics and effeciancy.
#12
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 0
From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
There's a drill called pedaling arcs that is supposed to really help pedaling technique: Divid the circle your pedal makes when cranking into 4 equally-sized arcs; top, front, bottom, rear. For a minute of riding, only apply force in the bottom arc. Then a minute in the rear arc. Then the top arc. Don't work on the front arc, because that's where most of us apply most of our force anyways. Work on those three arcs, and then concentrate on the full circle. You might go faster.
#14
i feel that so called "ankling" is more important when riding road (as the cranks have no momentum from the fixed gear to pull you through the back side of the rotation), but it's an effective pedaling technique, especially when you develop those thigh muscles. some people develop this technique and feel it's like an extra set of muscles they never knew they had.
i had a road coach once who would constantly yell "heels up!"
one of the drills we'd do was putting the bike in the highest gear, 53x11 or 12, and pedal only by pulling up. builds muscle fast (and wears you out fast).
i had a road coach once who would constantly yell "heels up!"
one of the drills we'd do was putting the bike in the highest gear, 53x11 or 12, and pedal only by pulling up. builds muscle fast (and wears you out fast).
#17
I like to keep some spring in my step, so I don't like my leg to be too extended at the bottom of my stroke. I like to have my leg almost fully extended, but about 2 inches...not...fully extended...make sense?
#18
Originally Posted by Tangsooyuk
I dont even rock pedals or cranks on my bikes anymore.
I just skitch from destination to destination.
man up!
I just skitch from destination to destination.
man up!
humancoger...you stay on the forums a lot....lol...get off the bandwagon too....
for the rest of yall who put in actual constructive input....THANKS
#19
Originally Posted by killsurfcity
as for me i have been trying to train myself to keep my feet more parallel as i tend to be toe out a little, which is probably bad for the knees.
!
!
this was my rationale...better for knees and supporting muscles I thought
#20
Originally Posted by Ceya
I will post later but it depends on your position with you feet. You have to correct that and make sure your ankle is in line with your knee. From that point we can cover pedal technique.
S/F,
CEYA!
Strength and Honor!!
S/F,
CEYA!
Strength and Honor!!
#21
Originally Posted by teiaperigosa
this was my rationale...better for knees and supporting muscles I thought
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by loaf
Skitching is when you grab onto something that's moving while riding so it can tow you down the road without you expending energy. My favorite is pickup trucks, but cars with spoilers, wheelwells or buses with large turn signals are also excelllent. Large trucks that seem to have desiel engines seem quite nice for skitching because they have to flip through lots of gears in order to accelerate so you don't get yanked around.
please note: skitching is dangerous/bad idea. One guy started yelling at me that his dad ran over his best friend while skitching.
please note: skitching is dangerous/bad idea. One guy started yelling at me that his dad ran over his best friend while skitching.
#24
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 0
From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Originally Posted by strife
Recently I have found that I am riding a little toe in. I have been trying to correct this but all I seem to end up with are numb toes, particularly the last two. This is shying me away from clipless pedals, any suggestions??
#25
B.C. to D.C.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: between the Popeye's, the liquor store, the funeral home, and the strip club
Bikes: 1992 Miyata Nine 14; 1971 Raleigh Super Course fixie conversion; 2006 Jamis Nova (853 version); 2001 Diamondback Topanga (SS conversion); 1956 Rudge Sports; 1971 Raleigh Competition (processing); 199? Schwinn World Sport (processing)
skitching is a word coined by skaters grabbing rides on cars, combining "skateboarding" and "hitching"
the proper term for bicycling & hitching is "b!tching"
Please stop your b!tching at once before it ends in tears.
the proper term for bicycling & hitching is "b!tching"
Please stop your b!tching at once before it ends in tears.





