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Originally Posted by Eric F
(Post 22724606)
I'm with you. I don't have much experience with flat pedals, but a good pedal stroke is not just up/down, push/pull. It involves forces in multiple directions throughout the circle. Being attached is important for "round" power.
Toward the end of my racing era, I was working with a former Olympian. One of his focuses with me was developing a pedal stroke that recruited additional muscle groups to contribute to powering the bike. This paid off the most in keeping the big power muscles fresher for when big power was required. As my stroke improved, it was how much fresher my legs felt at the end of races. I miss that feeling. |
Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
(Post 22724635)
Apparently in German and possibly related languages, they're "click-pedals". That's much more sensible than "automatic", which sounds like they engage and disengage on their own. No.
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
(Post 22724668)
If by “push/pull” you mean delivering power over the top and across the bottom… good flats and shoes let you do that.
Admittedly, I have little experience with flat pedals to truly understand their abilities and limitations, so I'm probably assuming too much about the limitations. |
Originally Posted by Eric F
(Post 22724638)
Ejector pedals!!
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Originally Posted by Eric F
(Post 22724690)
By "push/pull" and "up/down" I was meaning the same thing. Some people tend to see the pedal stroke in only 2 directions - pushing down and pulling up. My goal is round Getting the hip flexors contributing is part of it, but the feel of it (to me) is a smooth transition through multiple muscle groups. It will never be perfect, but that's my intent. When everything is firing at the right time, unconsciously, it feels awesome.
Admittedly, I have little experience with flat pedals to truly understand their abilities and limitations, so I'm probably assuming too much about the limitations. |
Originally Posted by Eric F
(Post 22724690)
By "push/pull" and "up/down" I was meaning the same thing. Some people tend to see the pedal stroke in only 2 directions - pushing down and pulling up. My goal is round Getting the hip flexors contributing is part of it, but the feel of it (to me) is a smooth transition through multiple muscle groups. It will never be perfect, but that's my intent. When everything is firing at the right time, unconsciously, it feels awesome.
Admittedly, I have little experience with flat pedals to truly understand their abilities and limitations, so I'm probably assuming too much about the limitations. Yes, it's complicated. The idea is to keep the force on the pedals constantly tangential to the pedal circle. No, you can't do that with flats. There's a lot of power to be produced at the bottom of the pedal stroke. For about 90° there, one should feel the shoes' heel cups, quite noticeably. Using my power meter, I can pedal at a constant cadence and watch the power vary according to how much pressure I'm putting on the heel cups at the bottom of the stroke. One can add power for a few minutes by pulling up on the backstroke, but the hip flexors are not strong and will give out quickly. I just try to take the pressure off the rear pedal as it comes up. One gets better at what one practices and emphasizes. It's not possible for the same person to pedal with different styles, evaluate them for efficiency, and get an unbiased result. As noted above, once one figures out how to pedal smoothly, a 150 cadence is possible for short periods, 200 is not at all impossible. It's just neuromuscular control. I love the freedom of being clipped in. |
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