Clarity being reqested on Pedalling method

[MartianDestiny]

Ack, well, I was apparently confused this morning and got it backwards!

It is "obvious" that the calfs would expend more energy when dorsiflexed (heel down), it is NOT "obvious" at least to me that it would lead to an overall reduction in power.

I have absolutely no earthly idea why it would be a "big no-no" or that it could lead to injury. I naturally pedal with my heel down. It's down a lot at the top of my stroke and while it becomes more neutral towards the bottom it is still slightly down at the bottom. My bike fitter(s) know this (they always have to bring my heel to neutral to check my angles when fitting a bike to me), and haven't said a darn thing about it being "bad" (and we've even discussed it). Haven't hurt myself yet.

I DID hurt myself plantarflexed (toe down). My knees (which have never ached while riding bikes) hurt and hurt for a few days after as well. Hated the feeling as well.

Maybe I'll work on staying more neutral. My bet is I'll go back to my comfortable dorsiflex position, power loss or no.

[artifactos]

I also pedal more naturally with my heel down - I think it comes from many, many years of keeping my heel down in stirrups while riding horses. I feel more stable that way, though the angle is no where near as extreme on my bike as it is on a horse. I find it very difficult to LIFT my heels, however, probably due to the equestrian muscle memory making it feel just wrong.

[KnottedYet]

Everyone has their own happy place.

You two have extensive horse-riding experience, so of course you are stronger dorsiflexed. Don't worry about it, don't compare yourself to anyone else, don't think your own way is wrong.

Remember: "don't force yourself to change just because someone else pedals differently than you do"

It would be just as damaging and power-losing for you to pedal plantarflexed as it would be for Oakleaf or I (or another cyclist with no horse riding experience) to pedal dorsiflexed.

It's ok to be different. Don't let it bother you, don't let it change you. You have extensive experience weightbearing in a dorsiflexed position so of course that is optimal for you.

MartianDestiny - any fitter worth his salt is of course not going to give you a hard time about riding dorsiflexed! My goodness, unless he's an idiot he is going to listen to you tell him about position in stirrups! He'd be ridiculous to tell you it's "bad"! I'd be concerned if he tried to change you!

Let me repeat this again: Experiment all you want, experimentation is good stuff, but always settle with what feels right. Your body knows what is most effecient for YOU, and you'll feel it.

[TrekTheKaty]

Funny. I would have sworn I learned in spinning class to switch between pedaling flat (quads) and pedaling heel-down (glutes) because it switched muscle groups. I tend to ride flat and only switch to heel down when my quads are fatigued and need a break. But who knows if that was accurate info..........Anyone?

[KnottedYet]

Sure it switches muscle groups. It switches to something that is overall less efficient. The OP had a quote about efficient pedalling.

(exceptions are, of course, folks who have trained to have their peak power differently than others)

Ride your ride, folks. Don't be uptight about switching things around as you get fatigued. Everyone does it.

Everyone, take a deep breath! Breathe in.... repeat after me: whatever feels best when I ride is best.... breathe out.... breathe in.... repeat after me: I don't have to get uptight about studies and techniques... breathe out.... breathe in.... repeat after me: I don't have to compare myself to everyone else.... breathe out.... breathe in.... repeat after me: I'm ok, you're ok.... breathe out.... breathe in... repeat after me: all bikes are beautiful, and so are all riders, I don't need to feel insecure about my bike or my technique... breathe out

[pinkbikes]

everyone, take a deep breath! Breathe in.... Repeat after me: Whatever feels best when i ride is best.... Breathe out.... Breathe in.... Repeat after me: I don't have to get uptight about studies and techniques... Breathe out.... Breathe in.... Repeat after me: I don't have to compare myself to everyone else.... Breathe out.... Breathe in.... Repeat after me: I'm ok, you're ok.... Breathe out.... Breathe in... Repeat after me: All bikes are beautiful, and so are all riders, i don't need to feel insecure about my bike or my technique... Breathe out

rotfl

[TrekTheKaty]

[Everyone, take a deep breath! Breathe in.... repeat after me: whatever feels best when I ride is best.... breathe out.... breathe in.... repeat after me: I don't have to get uptight about studies and techniques... breathe out.... breathe in.... repeat after me: I don't have to compare myself to everyone else.... breathe out.... breathe in.... repeat after me: I'm ok, you're ok.... breathe out.... breathe in... repeat after me: all bikes are beautiful, and so are all riders, I don't need to feel insecure about my bike or my technique... breathe out[/QUOTE]

LOL! Thanks, Knot!

[HoosierGiant]

Ditto!

[Chile Pepper]

Everyone has their own happy place. [/B]

Love this! I have always tended to pedal plantar flexed (perhaps the ballet has something to do with that?), and have occasionally had people suggest that that is why I'm so slow. Pedaling in a more neutral ankle position isn't uncomfortable, but I can't hold it without consciously thinking about it, so I long ago determined to follow Knot's advice and not worry about it. It feels right and it works for me—and it gives me an excuse for being slow.