Pedaling Techniques
10-02-08, 04:42 AM
#26
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10-02-08, 07:04 AM
#27
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If I'm not mistaken, the reasoning is that you're wasting energy when the bike rocks from side to side like that. On the other hand, maybe you waste more energy trying to keep your bike level. Or maybe you subconsciously hold back to avoid rocking to avoid wasting energy... Iunno...
10-02-08, 10:37 AM
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I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to revive it, but with a slightly different topic. Techniques for learning to spin FAST? I think I'm alright, but when I get to somewhere around 140rpm i start to feel a bit of a flex/ shimmy? So any techniques for getting faster, other than gearing down and just spinning?
10-02-08, 01:26 PM
#30
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Some people say push harder to go faster, some people say pedal in circles. I say until you can fully un-weight the trailing leg you're doing more work than is necessary. At the bare minimum you should have no back pressure, i.e., the trailing leg should not rest on the way back up.
Ideally you'll be pushing hard on the down stroke and pulling up as hard as possible on the return. Your push will always supply more force as your (massive) Guads are the larger/stornger muscle.
Lots here about pedalling circles. You'll be pleased to know hard core fixie riders find using powercranks the easiest, i.e., unweighting the rear leg. However, even ultradistance fixie riders feel there is a benefit in using them as it adds that little bit extra to the down stroke and completely removes any un-necessary back pressure.
Also, until most cyclists have used powercranks they don't realise how un-coordinated their pedal stroke is, i.e., perfect timing of push/pull so there's no excess work. Single leg drills just don't have the same effect.
Ideally you'll be pushing hard on the down stroke and pulling up as hard as possible on the return. Your push will always supply more force as your (massive) Guads are the larger/stornger muscle.
Lots here about pedalling circles. You'll be pleased to know hard core fixie riders find using powercranks the easiest, i.e., unweighting the rear leg. However, even ultradistance fixie riders feel there is a benefit in using them as it adds that little bit extra to the down stroke and completely removes any un-necessary back pressure.
Also, until most cyclists have used powercranks they don't realise how un-coordinated their pedal stroke is, i.e., perfect timing of push/pull so there's no excess work. Single leg drills just don't have the same effect.
__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
