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Pedal Downward or Forward on Crank Levers???

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Pedal Downward or Forward on Crank Levers???

Old 05-24-19, 06:02 AM
  #1  
allout1
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Pedal Downward or Forward on Crank Levers???

I've been told by the bikers here that the arrangement of the handles to top tube to bike seat to bottom bracket in specific proportions to each other is a top priority including the angle of the seat which is depending on speed riding or long distance riding.

My conclusion is that this will determine that the rider is either pushing the pedals forward or pushing the pedals downward. It depends on the rider, I guess, and it depends on those proportions described above, I guess.

Are some riders pulling the pedal backward with the hamstrings on the under path of the pedal? Or just relaxing that leg on the pedal that's in the under path.

Maybe some riders are pushing, pulling, and lifting the pedal engaged 100% around.

And then of course...........would some be riding without any hands?

That would explain a lot. Thanks



I realize the "subject/predicate" construct of the depictions here are a little big challenging. I'll block if this thread is hijacked about that to deter from the thread topic.
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Old 05-24-19, 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by allout1
Maybe some riders are pushing, pulling, and lifting the pedal engaged 100% around.

Concentration on peddling in complete circles is the best practice. Although apparently there are results of experiments that show even the best cyclists don't engage much on the upstroke.

Dan
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Old 05-24-19, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by allout1
I'll block if this thread is hijacked about that to deter from the thread topic.
Wut
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Old 05-24-19, 07:43 AM
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I wish I had an answer. Is it the school system, too much time with electronic devices, who knows?

Last edited by shelbyfv; 05-24-19 at 07:49 AM.
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Old 05-24-19, 07:47 AM
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Pedal in circles. Practice one leg pedaling.

Preferred saddle angle is the one that provides most comfort. I use leather saddles and the angle on them is different than people who ride traditional padded saddles.
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Old 05-24-19, 07:48 AM
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Get a set of rollers. Pedal down (aka: pedal squares) and then pedal circles. See which one keeps you on the rollers.
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Old 05-24-19, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by bruce19
Get a set of rollers. Pedal down (aka: pedal squares) and then pedal circles. See which one keeps you on the rollers.
What kind of rollers are you thinking of?
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Old 05-24-19, 08:59 AM
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Ibtb
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Old 05-24-19, 09:39 AM
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If the bike's going forward and you're not breaking your seat, you're probably doing all right.
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Old 05-24-19, 09:45 AM
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Old 05-24-19, 10:02 AM
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allout1
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
If the bike's going forward and you're not breaking your seat, you're probably doing all right.
Alright, bud. Probably not. But okay.
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Old 05-24-19, 10:12 AM
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What's your question?
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Old 05-24-19, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by allout1
Alright, bud. Probably not. But okay.
Gotta tell you, if I'm choosing between my own observations of what works for me vs. a bunch of strangers telling me what should work, my own observations win every time.

As far as I'm concerned, bicycling is an art, not a science.
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Old 05-24-19, 10:26 AM
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I will occasionally ride no hands but I don't think it changes the way I pedal. I'm not sure I understand the question.
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Old 05-24-19, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by allout1
What kind of rollers are you thinking of?
LMGTFY
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Old 05-24-19, 11:25 AM
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I've been in the circles camp for a very long time.. not too easy-fast, or hard-slow..

Porridge just right ...
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Old 05-24-19, 11:33 AM
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My comment about circles is based on my own evolution in cycling.
Many new cyclists, myself too back in the day, just push-left - push right - push left- etc... My wife is real good for that on our tandem. I have to remind her to make circles and smooth out the pedal stroke.
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Old 05-24-19, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by _ForceD_
Concentration on peddling in complete circles is the best practice. Although apparently there are results of experiments that show even the best cyclists don't engage much on the upstroke.
Is this to any useful extent possible on flat pedals without clipless or toe baskets?
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Old 05-24-19, 11:49 AM
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I ride clipped in as well as with flats. Although flats don't give the ability to pull up, the studs do allow some forward at the top and backward at the bottom capability.
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Old 05-24-19, 11:50 AM
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If I'm inferring the questions right: no, the difference between "pushing the pedals forward" and "pushing the pedals down" is arbitrary and almost irrelevant to providing power. I mean literally "arbitray" because if, for instance, you start power at 1 o'clock and apply it through 160°, and then get on a feet-forward cruiser and start it at 11 o'clock and apply it through 160°, there is no difference in your power stroke. Because of that I'll also answer, No it is not determined by the angles, orientation and proportions of the bike tubes.

How much pressure is on your saddle is a different story, and doesn't much relate to the power stroke. Unless you're standing up and pedaling, in which case the geometry to the saddle is of course irrelevant.

I think maybe there is another question about smoothing out the pedal stroke, "pedaling in circles". With respect to bio-mechanical efficiency and power output, that makes no difference. A person might want to concentrate on "pedaling in circles" for other reasons, but it doesn't really make you faster, allow you to maintain more power, nor improve your endurance. In fact, it's been found to be a cycling myth that elite professionals utilize this more smooth power stroke than recreational enthusiasts (in some cases, it's actually the other way around).

Personally, I don't pay much attention to it except when I'm feeling some fatigue and change up my mechanics just to rest some muscle groups.
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Old 05-24-19, 11:54 AM
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The following works well for me to work on being fluid (which I think might be what the OP is asking?).

Get clipless pedals or strap in with your toestraps. Use only 1 leg (on rollers or the road). Practice keeping the pedals moving without power gaps with only one leg until your leg fatigues. You want to concentrate on keeping your form here - keep your knees rotating in the same plane as the pedals/cranks. Switch legs and repeat. Then, when you use both legs, it will feel incredibly easy. This trains the muscles in each leg to fire in the correct order to create a fluid stroke.
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Old 05-24-19, 01:31 PM
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Okay, these were really smart replies. Thanks. I see what's the deal is out there now. Yeap.
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Old 05-24-19, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by allout1
What kind of rollers are you thinking of?
I have an old set of Performance rollers and a newer set of Kreitlers. Is that what you meant?
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Old 05-24-19, 05:31 PM
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I can pedal either forward or backward and keep moving just fine.
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Old 05-24-19, 06:26 PM
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It’s not like jerking a crank. It’s more like eating some coconut pie.
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