Pulling on the pedals?

jezcc
jezcc Posts: 111
edited September 2008 in Road beginners
So.....
I've been mountain biking for about 4 years on clipless pedals and road biking on them for about a year. I only pull up on the pedals a significant amount when climbing, sprinting or starting from still.

Should I be trying to pull on them more when just rolling along at constant speed on the flat? I'm pretty sure that I'm barely pulling at all on the flat, but maybe I'm pulling more than I realise.
FCN 4-6 depending

2008 Rocky Mountain ETSX
2008 Ribble

Comments

  • unclemalc
    unclemalc Posts: 563
    Someone (forgive me for not remembering your name ...) recently pointed out that the most efficient way to pedal was to push down then imagine that you were trying to wipe something off the bottom of your shoe as you entered the up-stroke.
    I have been applying this as much as possible this year and its been a revelation.

    When I'm trying to break 40mph downhill or killing myself uphill, all this goes out the window and mashing takes over however...

    I will endevour to persevere.
    Spring!
    Singlespeeds in town rule.
  • nolf
    nolf Posts: 1,287
    Try doing isolated leg drills to improve your stroke on each leg. Then try big gear efforts to improve your pedalling technique, then try high cadence sessions to improve the fluidity of your technique.

    Other than scraping the bottom of your shoe, also try aiming at getting your knees to hit your handlebars, so scrape the bottom then pushing your knees forward.

    Other than that just riding loads and loads will eventually give you a good technique
    "I hold it true, what'er befall;
    I feel it, when I sorrow most;
    'Tis better to have loved and lost;
    Than never to have loved at all."

    Alfred Tennyson

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