Pedal while descending, or just hunker down aero?
10-26-20, 02:10 PM
#26
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
Your mention of a 90 Inch gear reminded me that everyone here refers to inches traveled per stroke while I'm still doing old school calculations and am looking at a 4.00 ratio. With my 27" tires I'm actually at @86 inch travel. With that said, I am working on improving (increasing) my cadence. 90 plus coming down my 7% grade-does that count? LOL
10-26-20, 02:13 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 516
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 378 Times
in
197 Posts
I'm inclined to agree (on both counts). I actually don't get all the way down the hill before I make a hard 90 degree right turn, and I'm always a bit scared that I might go down if I take too much speed into the turn. So far that hasn't happened, but what if there is debris on the road? What if there's a pedestrian I don't see until it's too late, or a car that shows up unexpectedly? Of course, I try to be on the lookout, but that slight tinge of fear as I'm coming down the hill (which I ride almost every day) makes me cautious enough that I'm probably taking that turn slower than you would.
Likes For Random11:
10-26-20, 02:56 PM
#28
Senior Member
I'll add yet another "it depends". If I'm out for a short 15-20 miles ride I never stop pedaling. If I'm on a 30+ mile ride pacing becomes more important and I will probably save the energy by not spinning down a hill....that's unless I get passed and then it's on.
10-26-20, 02:58 PM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,300
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1138 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
687 Posts
I'm inclined to agree (on both counts). I actually don't get all the way down the hill before I make a hard 90 degree right turn, and I'm always a bit scared that I might go down if I take too much speed into the turn. So far that hasn't happened, but what if there is debris on the road? What if there's a pedestrian I don't see until it's too late, or a car that shows up unexpectedly? Of course, I try to be on the lookout, but that slight tinge of fear as I'm coming down the hill (which I ride almost every day) makes me cautious enough that I'm probably taking that turn slower than you would.
10-26-20, 07:14 PM
#30
NYC
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1169 Post(s)
Liked 107 Times
in
62 Posts
"spin to recover"... the motion helps clear the legs. spin, shake them out, get the lactate cleared.
If you are chasing someone, and you have to pedal downhill, you will be surprised at the watts it takes to make even a nominal difference.
If you are chasing someone, and you have to pedal downhill, you will be surprised at the watts it takes to make even a nominal difference.
10-26-20, 08:36 PM
#31
Senior Member
I'm running 46/30 cranks and spin out at 32ish MPH so I tuck. I've hit 50mph in the past but I don't like the idea of sliding my flesh on pavement while basically naked so much over 35mph is getting stupid anyway.
10-27-20, 09:32 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,114
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 989 Post(s)
Liked 586 Times
in
440 Posts
Recently a post about one's fastest speed came up. it had me wondering about descents. Do you peddle down descents? how else to get those kinds of speeds?
i do peddle down, even in the turns. i don't think i am going so fast that i need to lean too far that my peddle will hit the road. a few times i have just gotten down low with no peddling but have felt some wobble due to wind. i find that if i peddle even lightly i feel more stable.
i do peddle down, even in the turns. i don't think i am going so fast that i need to lean too far that my peddle will hit the road. a few times i have just gotten down low with no peddling but have felt some wobble due to wind. i find that if i peddle even lightly i feel more stable.
Last edited by eduskator; 10-27-20 at 11:23 AM.
10-27-20, 11:10 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 786
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 338 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times
in
252 Posts
Pedal just to get up to speed - just go all out until I spin out on 50-11 (after all, going to recover downhill) - and then get in aero tuck when I spin out or go out of gas.
Likes For Branko D:
10-27-20, 08:49 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 520
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 229 Post(s)
Liked 327 Times
in
179 Posts
It's fairly flat on most of my rides in Augusta, GA and I tend not the pedal on the short descents as it gives me a chance to recover for a few seconds and lift my butt out of the saddle.
About the only time I'll continuously pedal is if I'm working hard on a 10 mile stretch that has no stop signs or lights.
About the only time I'll continuously pedal is if I'm working hard on a 10 mile stretch that has no stop signs or lights.
11-01-20, 05:00 PM
#37
Senior Member
If the gradient is steep enough get in an aero tuck. Pedaling is not aero. At very high speed there is enough to do without the bother of pedaling. And the OP mentions wobble, which does not sound good at all. Most stable position is a simple tuck with butt behind the saddle. If wobble persists it might be better to brake.
The fastest I ever did pedaling that I can remember for sure was on a 1% downgrade in a big pack. I saw 75kph on the clock, which is about 46-47mph. At that speed was not watching the clock constantly. Was riding in 53x14, because the higher pedal speed gives more control. Most of the other guys were in the 13, for the same reason. Had anyone been in the 12 I would have gone straight off the back to get away from the squirrelly riders with no pedal speed.
The fastest I ever did pedaling that I can remember for sure was on a 1% downgrade in a big pack. I saw 75kph on the clock, which is about 46-47mph. At that speed was not watching the clock constantly. Was riding in 53x14, because the higher pedal speed gives more control. Most of the other guys were in the 13, for the same reason. Had anyone been in the 12 I would have gone straight off the back to get away from the squirrelly riders with no pedal speed.
11-01-20, 05:21 PM
#38
Senior Member
The fastest I ever did pedaling that I can remember for sure was on a 1% downgrade in a big pack. I saw 75kph on the clock, which is about 46-47mph. At that speed was not watching the clock constantly. Was riding in 53x14, because the higher pedal speed gives more control. Most of the other guys were in the 13, for the same reason. Had anyone been in the 12 I would have gone straight off the back to get away from the squirrelly riders with no pedal speed.
11-01-20, 05:35 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 4,444
Bikes: bikes
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2622 Post(s)
Liked 1,429 Times
in
711 Posts
At that speed was not watching the clock constantly. Was riding in 53x14, because the higher pedal speed gives more control. Most of the other guys were in the 13, for the same reason. Had anyone been in the 12 I would have gone straight off the back to get away from the squirrelly riders with no pedal speed.
Wut?
Likes For rubiksoval:
11-02-20, 07:49 PM
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,300
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1138 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
687 Posts
The fastest I ever did pedaling that I can remember for sure was on a 1% downgrade in a big pack. I saw 75kph on the clock, which is about 46-47mph. At that speed was not watching the clock constantly. Was riding in 53x14, because the higher pedal speed gives more control. Most of the other guys were in the 13, for the same reason. Had anyone been in the 12 I would have gone straight off the back to get away from the squirrelly riders with no pedal speed.
11-03-20, 09:39 AM
#41
NYC
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1169 Post(s)
Liked 107 Times
in
62 Posts
seriously wut.
In the paceline / when drafting at a steady speed, I tend to drop a cog or two as LOWER pedal speed is more stable and easier to moderate.
Just like dont drive at steady speed in a low gear in my car either, as it SURGES when applying power with higher leverage (lower gear) and accelerates SMOOTHLY when applying power with lower leverage (higher gear).
In the paceline / when drafting at a steady speed, I tend to drop a cog or two as LOWER pedal speed is more stable and easier to moderate.
Just like dont drive at steady speed in a low gear in my car either, as it SURGES when applying power with higher leverage (lower gear) and accelerates SMOOTHLY when applying power with lower leverage (higher gear).
11-03-20, 11:39 AM
#42
Senior Member
Pedal till the cadence is just too fast to stay stable. Ill hit the mid to high 50's on a regular basis.
11-03-20, 12:09 PM
#43
Senior Member
11-03-20, 12:13 PM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,299
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
240 Posts
If you don't look like this you're doing it wrong.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Likes For rubiksoval:
11-03-20, 04:51 PM
#47
Senior Member
Today I descended a small hill at just about same speed as yours but was in a fixed gear of 48x19.
Many things are possible on bikes. Having pedal speed in your quiver increases the possibilities.
11-03-20, 05:23 PM
#48
NYC
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1169 Post(s)
Liked 107 Times
in
62 Posts
If you are taking giant steps in a group then I am yelling at you.
"pump pump coast" is how wheels get crossed and you take down the guy behind you. Even though it looks to you like it's his fault, you absolutely caused it by being erratic.
In a group, you are responsible for providing a smooth predictable wheel for the guys behind you.
"pump pump coast" is how wheels get crossed and you take down the guy behind you. Even though it looks to you like it's his fault, you absolutely caused it by being erratic.
In a group, you are responsible for providing a smooth predictable wheel for the guys behind you.
Last edited by nycphotography; 11-04-20 at 07:42 AM.
11-04-20, 08:56 AM
#50
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Foothills of West Central Maine
Posts: 410
Bikes: 2007 Motobecane Fantom Cross Expert, 2020 Motobecane Omni Strada Pro Disc (700c gravel bike), 2021 Motobecane Elite Adventure with Bafang 500W rear hub drive
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 174 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 143 Times
in
94 Posts
The hills around here are pretty steep, but not very long, typically 1/8 to 1/4 mile, with two less steep but each at least 3/4 mile long. I pedal down the long ones and try to stay above 30 mph. The shorter, faster ones I pedal up to about 28mph, then tuck and take it up to 40-47mph, depending on whatever wind, tire pressure, temperature, etc. dictate. Then pedal like crazy on the upslope to get as far up the other side as I can before breaking tuck and downshifting.
On unfamiliar steep downhills I take it slower unless I can see a lot of road ahead, or until I can see the bottom; then, let her rip. Being mid-sixties in age, I know an accident could be devastating, but speed is fun. So I make sure my bike is as safe as possible (tires, wheels, brakes, headset, etc.) , rather than give up one of the most exciting parts of riding (speed).
If I'm seriously fatigued from a longish ride, I take it easy and don't push my luck. In that case I neither pedal nor tuck, but just try to stay mentally alert and get home safely to fight another day.
On unfamiliar steep downhills I take it slower unless I can see a lot of road ahead, or until I can see the bottom; then, let her rip. Being mid-sixties in age, I know an accident could be devastating, but speed is fun. So I make sure my bike is as safe as possible (tires, wheels, brakes, headset, etc.) , rather than give up one of the most exciting parts of riding (speed).
If I'm seriously fatigued from a longish ride, I take it easy and don't push my luck. In that case I neither pedal nor tuck, but just try to stay mentally alert and get home safely to fight another day.
Likes For Chuckles1: