Coker Foot Position

Ball of the foot for normal riding. Not because it gives more power,
but because it's a more comfortable and efficient way of getting the
power to the pedal. If you've been used to riding on your insteps, then
you may need to raise the saddle half an inch or so.

For steep ascents/descents, and riding on rough ground, I tend to shift
my feet so that I'm riding on the insteps. This gives a more stable
platform, reduces the risk of folding the ankles backwards
(Hyperextension? Hyperflexion? I know it hurts, anyway!), and provides
a more direct control.

--
Mikefule - Roland Hope School of Unicycling

http://www.dolphin-morris.co.uk/

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Nice Coker 😎

Same position- ball of foot over the pedal axle, knees as close to
frame/pointed inwards a much as possible, slightly bent in lowest
position.

--
GizmoDuck - NZUNI

o-kO
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when I'm doing trials, I ride with my arch on the pedal for more
support. but for distance riding and the occasional MUni, I ride with
the ball of my foot on the pedal for more power and control.

--
James_Potter - betcha can't stick it!

James Potter for president 2008
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You should really switch out those pedals for platform pedals.

You will notice an incredible difference in control and comfort.

--
Brian MacKenzie - Infection is your finest flower

'TRAINING WHEEL NOT REQUIRED DVD - NOW AVAILABLE!'
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Brian MacKenzie said:

*You should really switch out those pedals for platform pedals.

You will notice an incredible difference in control and comfort. *

Yeah, I lost those pedals back in May i think. I now have some pinned
powdercoated red BMX pedals on it.

--
pdc - Unicycling Lord of Lookout Mountain

"What doesn't kill you strengthens you, what kills you strengthens your
mother"

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I. want. your. coker. 😠

--
flyer - Level 5 Unicyclist
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GizmoDuck said:

*Nice Coker 😎

Same position- ball of foot over the pedal axle, knees as close to
frame/pointed inwards a much as possible, slightly bent in lowest
position. *

Interesting... I've been told by a few non-unicyclists that I ride with
my knees pointed in and have noticed it on videos of myself. I've been
working on putting my feet a little further out on the pedals and
allowing my knees to get away from the frame a little more.

Why is it that you want to keep your knees close to the frame?

If you keep your knees close to the frame, could the angle of the knee
flexing be hard on your knees? Should a rider allow his knees to go
where they naturally go and assume this is how his body is made to
operate?

Bill

--
billham - LEVEL 4
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billham said:

* Should a rider allow his knees to go where they naturally go and
assume this is how his body is made to operate?
*

On the whole, yes, but in an informed sort of way.

I guess a lot of non cyclists who try a unicycle put their insteps onthe
pedals, and maybe pedal with their knees pointing slightly outwards -
probably because they set the seat too low.

If we assume that anyone keen enough to ask the question is a "serious"
unicyclist, interested in improving performance and skill, then
hopefully they will be self-aware enough to ride in a non-injurious way.
(Apart from leaping backwards down stairs, and that.)

--
Mikefule - Roland Hope School of Unicycling

http://www.dolphin-morris.co.uk/

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It keeps the unicycle and unicyclist steadier at speed- less side to
side wobble. I often get scuff marks from the tyre on my thighs from
riding with my legs so close to the frame/tyre. And I think it also
gives more efficient power transfer. But I agree with your last
statement, it should be all within a degree of comfort- if it hurts your
knees to do so then it is probably not the right position for the you.

--
GizmoDuck - NZUNI

o-kO
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I used to ride with my knees in close to the frame, for the reasons as
GizmoDuck, until I ended up with really bad knee pain after doing a lot
of long distances on the coker.

I went to the physio and he reckoned I had a muscle imbalance in my
thighs that was causing pressure on my knee (in a bad way). He gave me
exercises to correct it, and started riding with my knees a little
further out, and I've had no problems since. I do have more of a speed
wobble now though!

Beware of forcing your knees into a position they don't naturally want
to be in. Having said that, if it doesn't hurt then riding with your
knees close together does make the uni much more stable.

Paul

--
paul royle - gravitationally challenged
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I ride with the ball of my foot on the pedal.

As well as offering the most effecient use of energy, it also allws for
much more control.

How so? When I am riding very fast and technical stuff, it allows me to
ride with my heel slightly higher than my toes. This allows me to push
back more on the pedal instead of just down, I can use the pedals to not
only pedal smoother circles, but to spring forward at and over an
obstacle in the pedal stroke. Or perhaps to the side, by rolling my
feet slightly and still applying firm pressure. or taking the weight of
off one foot to save yourself of just because of the terrain (not sure
if that makes sense)

Simply put, you are able to be more graceful at a high speed, and you
fall less when you are gracefull (although the UPD's are always less
expected)

I never thought about the knees being in towards the frame until I read
this, and it's exactly what I do. It's just (for me) the natural way
they go, and with so much control in my feet, my legs are just always in
the right spot ready to go.

I'm going for a Coker ride, see ya!

--
Brian MacKenzie - Infection is your finest flower

'TRAINING WHEEL NOT REQUIRED DVD - NOW AVAILABLE!'
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'ps. just watched TWNR, the UW36 on the stairs broke my brain' - markf

'Unicycle Product Reviews'
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I ride with the balls of my feet on the pedals 99% of the time.
Especially for racing or road riding.

I can see using the middle of the foot for serious hopping, and I've
also used it for grinding up long hills. But when you move your feet
forward on the pedals, you lose some of your range of motion and calf
power.

Stick with the balls.

--
johnfoss - More Moab Fun

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com

"Read the rules!" -- 'IUF Rulebook'
(http://www.unicycling.org/iuf/rulebook/) -- 'USA Rulebook'
(http://www.unicycling.org/usa/competition/)
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Thanks for all the input. This is very instructive for me and I'm sure
many others🙂 . I'm planning on doing increasingly more milage on my
Coker.

--
pdc - Unicycling Lord of Lookout Mountain

"What doesn't kill you strengthens you, what kills you strengthens your
mother"

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I have a Hunter frame and have been at a loss as to where to put my
drink bottle, not my feet. Thanks for the idea. What sort of "thing is
that"? A bar end or something special?

--
onebyone

Bill Blogs is an alien!
www.municycle.com.au
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onebyone said:

*I have a Hunter frame and have been at a loss as to where to put my
drink bottle, not my feet. Thanks for the idea. What sort of "thing is
that"? A bar end or something special? *

It's from UDC 'LINK'
(http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=506)

I have a thin water bottle. I dont think a round one would fit with the
brake lever on there.

--
pdc - Unicycling Lord of Lookout Mountain

"What doesn't kill you strengthens you, what kills you strengthens your
mother"

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On today's lunchtime ride I tried again using the balls of my feet, even
further forward this time. What a difference. I can't believe I've been
riding on my insteps so long. I even hit a new top speed - 16.3MPH, 1
MPH better than my fastest. (150's by the way) Thanks again for the
help!

--
pdc - Unicycling Lord of Lookout Mountain

"What doesn't kill you strengthens you, what kills you strengthens your
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Yesterday I went out for a quick 5 mile ride. I thought i try again for
a top speed. I was on a slight downhill that ends up going back uphill.
I started spinning and reached top speed well before the uphill part. It
all happened very fast. The uni came very very close to getting away
from me (me falling backwards). With a mighty effort I spun just a
little faster and got control only to almost lose it falling forwards. I
was never so thankful to be back down to 10mph. When I checked my max
speed - 18.2 mph. I won't be trying that again. My hats off to you
20mph+er's.

--
pdc - Unicycling Lord of Lookout Mountain

"What doesn't kill you strengthens you, what kills you strengthens your
mother"

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Mikefule said:

*Ball of the foot for normal riding. Not because it gives more power,
but because it's a more comfortable and efficient way of getting the
power to the pedal. If you've been used to riding on your insteps,
then you may need to raise the saddle half an inch or so.

For steep ascents/descents, and riding on rough ground, I tend to
shift my feet so that I'm riding on the insteps. This gives a more
stable platform, reduces the risk of folding the ankles backwards
(Hyperextension? Hyperflexion? I know it hurts, anyway!), and
provides a more direct control. *

I agree.

I mount and take off with pedals under insteps for power and control.
Once I settle in for some long distancing, I'll shift to the balls of my
feet.

The only thing I'd add to MikeFule's statement is that I shift back to
insteps when I know I've got to hit the breaks. I've learned to plan
ahead while Cokering. I might get my feet into position 50-100 meters
before I need the power/control...

It sounds like a lot of shifting around, but its not. I only shift to
the balls of my feet when its smooth distance riding ahead. Then they
generally stay there a while.

--
Memphis Mud - Student of GrandMaster 2T

NAUCC 2006 in Memphis, TN.
Beale Street. Graceland. Blues Music. BBQ. Deep woods MUni. Rolling
Crosscountry. Jump over the Mississippi River (really!).
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Every picture that has been taken of my my knees are pointing inward as
well. I have tried to get my knees more forward(wider) but it just
doesn't feel right.

I have also gotten into the habit recently of using the arches of my
feet rather than the balls. Mostly because the shoes I was wearing are
so thin, my feet hurt after every ride. I just bought a new pair, and
they are thick soled, but don't grip the pedal as well. So I find that
after a while my feet are back at the arch. I am going to scrub any
"New" oils that may be on the sole of the shoe off and see if that
helps. The foot pain is resolved though.

I was experiencing some knee pain, when I was using torque and strength
rather than spinning and relaxing my quads to get me up hills, but after
a 31 mile ride yesterday, no knee pain.

Now if I could just keep my crotch from being rubbed raw!

--
bugman - Proud member of the UALW
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