Clipping in [Flame suit on]
11-29-22, 04:38 PM
#276
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
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.
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.
Likes For Kapusta:
11-29-22, 04:46 PM
#277
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
11-29-22, 04:54 PM
#278
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,985
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4946 Post(s)
Liked 8,086 Times
in
3,825 Posts
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.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
11-29-22, 09:42 PM
#279
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,962
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10424 Post(s)
Liked 11,898 Times
in
6,094 Posts
11-29-22, 09:45 PM
#280
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,962
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10424 Post(s)
Liked 11,898 Times
in
6,094 Posts
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.
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.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
11-29-22, 11:44 PM
#281
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,533
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
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.
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.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
Likes For Carbonfiberboy:
