Ankle position?

Mdheaton

I've recently bought my first road bike and am getting used to riding a bike which 'fits' me, in the sense that it feels much bigger than anything else I've rode before! I notice that my default riding position is with my ankles pointed down so that pressure is going through my toe clips. When I try riding with my angles at 90* and my feet out straight though, it feels like I can get more force through my quads which I figure is probably a good thing. It does feel like I'm putting more stress through my ankles, but that might just be because they're not very strong at the moment.

I think I'm pointing my feet because I come from a rowing background, where the footplate is angled and the ability to point your feet is very important to keeping balance and power. Is it a behaviour I should try to unlearn? If so, got any advice past "just don't do it when you notice it"?

night_porter

Not many people use toeclips because they do have a tendancy to make you use the tips of your toes and it is therefore easier to angle your feet forward to gain more power. The alternative is to have your feet flat but this will put a lot of stress onto your calves.

There is also the problem that if you tighten the toeclips enough to gain power you may restrict bloodflow and it will be harder to get your feet out in an emergency.

One solution would be to lower your saddle slightly but this will not help your calf muscles.

A better solution would be to buy some clipless pedals and shoes this will ensure you are utilising the power of your pedal stroke to the maximum by both pushing and pulling throughout the pedal cycle.

You might still find your foot has a natural angle but your pedalling should be more efficient so it should be minimal.

Having said all of that if it doesn't cause you a problem then don't worry about it, different strokes for different folks as they say.

cyco2

There is a point on the crank cycle that exerts the most power to the chain and by pointing the foot down you can exploit this. Another way is when you get out of the saddle and stand on the pedals or moving the saddle forward. However, when seated in the normal position I have found that although I can generate more power its not for long. Back in the 60's a TDF rider Jacques Anqutil rode like that but not all the time. I think it needs a slightly higher saddle to be more effective. I would suggest that if you find it works for you in flat TT's then keep at it. But get rid of the toe clips though because they don't connect you to the bike as well as clipless. As a rule if you sit on the saddle with your heal of the shoe on the pedal and a straight leg it is a good start for the height of the saddle.