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View Full Version : what I learned on my last ride...


bikerchick68
05-12-2006, 01:55 PM
is that I stink at spinning circles! LOL... I have been practicing unclippin one side and pedaling with just one leg to learn to spin circles correctly... and work more efficiently.

It's not as easy as it should be :eek: :rolleyes: :D

it all SOUNDS so easy...

any other good tricks for learning to spin circles or is this the best way???
maillotpois
05-12-2006, 01:57 PM
I do the one leg thing on the trainer or a spin bike. You can do it for longer and not endanger yourself!
Ninabike
05-12-2006, 02:00 PM
What I do to help with the up-stroke, is I pretend I am tryng to pull my feet out of my shoes.
DirtDiva
05-12-2006, 02:03 PM
I do one-legs sometimes when I'm on the canal towpath and it's quiet. About 75-80% of it is fine if I concentrate, but the bit at the top is horrible. Anyone got any little tricks or things to imagine to help here?
bikerchick68
05-12-2006, 02:15 PM
tlkiwi... yeah me too! I find that the only way I can maintain my circles is to shift into a bigger gear...??? I gotta figure out how to "soft pedal" circles too, cause I ride with newer people often...if I gear up, I drop them...
bikerchick68
05-12-2006, 02:16 PM
a trainer... gotta get me one of those...

nina... yeah, I do that... pull up... but the top of the stroke, pushing down is where I suddenly have a gap in my circle... :confused: it's been enlightening...
Trekhawk
05-12-2006, 02:28 PM
When you do the one leg circle exercise do you find one leg is better at this than the other?

Trek-one naughty leg-hawk:D
Lifesgreat
05-12-2006, 04:13 PM
I read about these in a magazine. They ain't cheap.

http://www.powercranks.com/about/concept.htm
Dianyla
05-12-2006, 04:32 PM
I read about these in a magazine. They ain't cheap.

http://www.powercranks.com/about/concept.htm
Wow, that's pretty cool. Would you just use that for training, though? And then switch back to solid for racing or whatever?
Prairiedog
05-12-2006, 08:10 PM
That is the best invention I have yet to see in the last 20 years. But why the $$$$??? Holy cow those prices are insane. :eek: :confused: :eek:

The reason I have never taken up cycling as a full time workout is because it works your legs so unevenly. This crank system would eliminate that issue entirely. But good-gawd-gertie, who wants to pay $800 for it?!!

Guess I'll be waiting a few years for it to catch on and the design pirated and mass produced.
Selkie
05-13-2006, 12:31 AM
I do the one leg thing on the trainer or a spin bike. You can do it for longer and not endanger yourself!

Agree completely---one-legged spinning is safest and probably, most effective on a trainer or stationary bike.
VenusdeVelo
05-14-2006, 07:52 AM
I was taught to try and imagine scraping mud off my shoe to help me pedal in a full circle. Works for me. I just need to ensure I get that heel down at the bottom most point in my stroke.
RoadRaven
05-14-2006, 10:35 AM
Yeah... thats a good suggestion by Venus... except I can't do it for very long - quite different demands on your muscles - like your calves
Duck on Wheels
05-14-2006, 01:54 PM
The circle thing is definitely a change from my biking childhood with flat pedals. I've been working hard on it in spin class, trying to learn to do it evenly, full circle, both legs. One thing I've noticed is that when I'm getting it right, my cadence goes up and my hr goes down. :) Spinning is definitely more efficient and worth learning.