Pedal Downward or Forward on Crank Levers???
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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.
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.
#2
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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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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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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.
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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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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If the bike's going forward and you're not breaking your seat, you're probably doing all right.
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Be like Chris Froome and use Osymetric chainrings
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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.
#16
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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 ...
Porridge just right ...
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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.
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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Is this to any useful extent possible on flat pedals without clipless or toe baskets?
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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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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.
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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#21
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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.
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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I can pedal either forward or backward and keep moving just fine.