rec.sport.unicycling · Public discussion

Adjusting foot position while riding

idiorythmic · 2007-11-08T06:36:44+00:00

Is there an optimal time to shift a foot on the pedal while riding? I did a cursory search but didn't notice any discussion of my particular issue: I find that once I mount I'm pretty stuck with whatever foot position I have because it's very difficult to shift my feet around to a more proper position. My newest uni has pinned pedals, which I am not used to. With my other unis I've always been able to lighten the pressure on the pedal a bit, and without lifting the foot off the pedal I can get the balls of my feet properly placed if they didn't land that way during the mount. With these pinned pedals I darn near have to lift my foot off the pedal in order to change position. It's scary! (for this nooob anyway). So the question is, is there an optimal pedal orientation at which foot movement is best carried out? Sometimes I think it works best at the bottom of the stroke, other times it seems to work better at the top. Does it matter? I'm practicing, I'm practicing moving my feet without losing control of the uni, and I'm practicing getting the feet properly placed during the mount so adjustments aren't necessary, still I'd like to learn if this is a common issue, or if it's just me. Thanks for any input! -- idiorythmic ------------------------------------------------------------------------ idiorythmic's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12653 View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552 Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services ---------------------------------------------------------- ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY ** ---------------------------------------------------------- http://www.usenet.com

Started by idiorythmic · 8 November 2007 · Last activity 8 November 2007 · 40 posts · 620 views

← Back to rec.sport.unicycling

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

01 / Original postAdjusting foot position while ridingidiorythmic · 8 Nov 2007 02 / This pagePosts 1–20Page 1 of 2 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #40skilewis74 · 8 Nov 2007

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section: rec.sport.unicycling
Published: 8 November 2007
Last activity: 8 November 2007
Original author: idiorythmic
Posts: 40
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 620
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Electronic shifting

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Original post
idiorythmic
Archived post

8 November 2007, 06:36 UTC #1

Is there an optimal time to shift a foot on the pedal while riding?
I did a cursory search but didn't notice any discussion of my
particular issue: I find that once I mount I'm pretty stuck with
whatever foot position I have because it's very difficult to shift my
feet around to a more proper position.
My newest uni has pinned pedals, which I am not used to. With my other
unis I've always been able to lighten the pressure on the pedal a bit,
and without lifting the foot off the pedal I can get the balls of my
feet properly placed if they didn't land that way during the mount.
With these pinned pedals I darn near have to lift my foot off the pedal
in order to change position. It's scary! (for this nooob anyway).
So the question is, is there an optimal pedal orientation at which foot
movement is best carried out? Sometimes I think it works best at the
bottom of the stroke, other times it seems to work better at the top.
Does it matter?
I'm practicing, I'm practicing moving my feet without losing control of
the uni, and I'm practicing getting the feet properly placed during the
mount so adjustments aren't necessary, still I'd like to learn if this
is a common issue, or if it's just me. Thanks for any input!
--
idiorythmic
------------------------------------------------------------------------
idiorythmic's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12653
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
anton005
Archived post

8 November 2007, 06:45 UTC #2

Yeah, there is. When your riding flat or uphill, your back foot is
usually free to lift a tiny bit and shift on the pedal. Downhill it's
opposite, you can unweight your front foot and shift it on the pedal.
At first you need to be really quick, it gest easier w/ practice. You
can also try and tip your foot (lift your arch up and keep the outside
of your foot on the outside of the pedal) and pivot your foot into a
better position.
I have a set of pedals with long pins and it's really hard to shift
positions all the time unless I can completly lift my foot off the
pedal, a bit sketchy for me. If I get on the pedal wrong sometimes I
just try and go with it, and am getting better at it with practice.
--
anton005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
anton005's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14941
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
anton005
Archived post

8 November 2007, 06:45 UTC #3

Yeah, there is. When your riding flat or uphill, your back foot is
usually free to lift a tiny bit and shift on the pedal. Downhill it's
opposite, you can unweight your front foot and shift it on the pedal.
At first you need to be really quick, it gest easier w/ practice. You
can also try and tip your foot (lift your arch up and keep the outside
of your foot on the outside of the pedal) and pivot your foot into a
better position.
I have a set of pedals with long pins and it's really hard to shift
positions all the time unless I can completly lift my foot off the
pedal, a bit sketchy for me. If I get on the pedal wrong sometimes I
just try and go with it, and am getting better at it with practice.
--
anton005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
anton005's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14941
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
anton005
Archived post

8 November 2007, 06:45 UTC #4

Yeah, there is. When your riding flat or uphill, your back foot is
usually free to lift a tiny bit and shift on the pedal. Downhill it's
opposite, you can unweight your front foot and shift it on the pedal.
At first you need to be really quick, it gest easier w/ practice. You
can also try and tip your foot (lift your arch up and keep the outside
of your foot on the outside of the pedal) and pivot your foot into a
better position.
I have a set of pedals with long pins and it's really hard to shift
positions all the time unless I can completly lift my foot off the
pedal, a bit sketchy for me. If I get on the pedal wrong sometimes I
just try and go with it, and am getting better at it with practice.
--
anton005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
anton005's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14941
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
Mikefule
Archived post

8 November 2007, 07:06 UTC #5

Generally, on the upstroke, when the foot is unweighted. And sort of
"walk" your foot into position by twisting it a bit at a time, always
keeping contact with the pedal.
--
Mikefule
I don't know what hurts most when I ride my uni: my left leg, my right
leg, or something in between.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
Mikefule
Archived post

8 November 2007, 07:06 UTC #6

Generally, on the upstroke, when the foot is unweighted. And sort of
"walk" your foot into position by twisting it a bit at a time, always
keeping contact with the pedal.
--
Mikefule
I don't know what hurts most when I ride my uni: my left leg, my right
leg, or something in between.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
Mikefule
Archived post

8 November 2007, 07:06 UTC #7

Generally, on the upstroke, when the foot is unweighted. And sort of
"walk" your foot into position by twisting it a bit at a time, always
keeping contact with the pedal.
--
Mikefule
I don't know what hurts most when I ride my uni: my left leg, my right
leg, or something in between.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
Unicorn
Archived post

8 November 2007, 08:29 UTC #8

Foot shifting kind of directied me into one footed pedaling! I was
riding only MUni at the time with huge spikes on the pedals. I started
lifting my feet off the pedals in order to get a better position. At
first it was just quick pressure releases tht built up to slow
calculated foot position changes that wee lasting almost half a pedal
revolution. One footed riding increases your MUni skill by so much.
Hell most of my UPDs are from a foot falling off the pedal after a jump
or jolt. Now I just calmly do a one footed pedal or two and put that
fallen foot back on!
In addition - with time your initial foot placement gets much better
freemounting.
Unicorn
--
Unicorn
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the pedals, and you will
accomplish great feats!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12801
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
Unicorn
Archived post

8 November 2007, 08:29 UTC #9

Foot shifting kind of directied me into one footed pedaling! I was
riding only MUni at the time with huge spikes on the pedals. I started
lifting my feet off the pedals in order to get a better position. At
first it was just quick pressure releases tht built up to slow
calculated foot position changes that wee lasting almost half a pedal
revolution. One footed riding increases your MUni skill by so much.
Hell most of my UPDs are from a foot falling off the pedal after a jump
or jolt. Now I just calmly do a one footed pedal or two and put that
fallen foot back on!
In addition - with time your initial foot placement gets much better
freemounting.
Unicorn
--
Unicorn
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the pedals, and you will
accomplish great feats!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12801
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
Unicorn
Archived post

8 November 2007, 08:29 UTC #10

Foot shifting kind of directied me into one footed pedaling! I was
riding only MUni at the time with huge spikes on the pedals. I started
lifting my feet off the pedals in order to get a better position. At
first it was just quick pressure releases tht built up to slow
calculated foot position changes that wee lasting almost half a pedal
revolution. One footed riding increases your MUni skill by so much.
Hell most of my UPDs are from a foot falling off the pedal after a jump
or jolt. Now I just calmly do a one footed pedal or two and put that
fallen foot back on!
In addition - with time your initial foot placement gets much better
freemounting.
Unicorn
--
Unicorn
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the pedals, and you will
accomplish great feats!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12801
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
john_childs
Archived post

8 November 2007, 09:02 UTC #11

Unicorn said:
Foot shifting kind of directied me into one footed pedaling!
I'd be more inclined to say that one foot pedaling will lead to easier
foot shifting.
After you learn how to ride one footed you'll find shifting the foot on
the pedal to be easier. So if idiorythmic is having problems shifting
the foot around while riding I'd suggest learning to ride one footed
and the foot shifting will come along as a side-effect.
Practice and learn the one footing on a 20" or 24". It's easier to
learn on the smaller wheels. The foot shifting skill side-effect will
carry over to the bigger wheels (even the Coker) even if you can't
effectively one foot pedal a Coker.
One footed riding teaches you how to ride with minimal to no pedal
pressure on the up part of the pedal stroke. It also teaches you how
to adapt to the lessening of control you have when taking the
backpedaling force off of the upstroke. That all translates to having
an easier time adjusting your foot on the pedals during regular riding.
--
john_childs
john_childs (att) hotmail (dott) com
Team Never Wash Your Muni
'My Gallery' (http://tinyurl.com/3d57bn) :: 'Unicycling Bookmark List'
(http://backcountry.unicyclist.com/) :: 'World Clock'
(http://tinyurl.com/2blym3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
john_childs's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/449
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
john_childs
Archived post

8 November 2007, 09:02 UTC #12

Unicorn said:
Foot shifting kind of directied me into one footed pedaling!
I'd be more inclined to say that one foot pedaling will lead to easier
foot shifting.
After you learn how to ride one footed you'll find shifting the foot on
the pedal to be easier. So if idiorythmic is having problems shifting
the foot around while riding I'd suggest learning to ride one footed
and the foot shifting will come along as a side-effect.
Practice and learn the one footing on a 20" or 24". It's easier to
learn on the smaller wheels. The foot shifting skill side-effect will
carry over to the bigger wheels (even the Coker) even if you can't
effectively one foot pedal a Coker.
One footed riding teaches you how to ride with minimal to no pedal
pressure on the up part of the pedal stroke. It also teaches you how
to adapt to the lessening of control you have when taking the
backpedaling force off of the upstroke. That all translates to having
an easier time adjusting your foot on the pedals during regular riding.
--
john_childs
john_childs (att) hotmail (dott) com
Team Never Wash Your Muni
'My Gallery' (http://tinyurl.com/3d57bn) :: 'Unicycling Bookmark List'
(http://backcountry.unicyclist.com/) :: 'World Clock'
(http://tinyurl.com/2blym3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
john_childs's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/449
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
john_childs
Archived post

8 November 2007, 09:02 UTC #13

Unicorn said:
Foot shifting kind of directied me into one footed pedaling!
I'd be more inclined to say that one foot pedaling will lead to easier
foot shifting.
After you learn how to ride one footed you'll find shifting the foot on
the pedal to be easier. So if idiorythmic is having problems shifting
the foot around while riding I'd suggest learning to ride one footed
and the foot shifting will come along as a side-effect.
Practice and learn the one footing on a 20" or 24". It's easier to
learn on the smaller wheels. The foot shifting skill side-effect will
carry over to the bigger wheels (even the Coker) even if you can't
effectively one foot pedal a Coker.
One footed riding teaches you how to ride with minimal to no pedal
pressure on the up part of the pedal stroke. It also teaches you how
to adapt to the lessening of control you have when taking the
backpedaling force off of the upstroke. That all translates to having
an easier time adjusting your foot on the pedals during regular riding.
--
john_childs
john_childs (att) hotmail (dott) com
Team Never Wash Your Muni
'My Gallery' (http://tinyurl.com/3d57bn) :: 'Unicycling Bookmark List'
(http://backcountry.unicyclist.com/) :: 'World Clock'
(http://tinyurl.com/2blym3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
john_childs's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/449
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
gabetheunicycleman
Archived post

8 November 2007, 09:13 UTC #14

you could grind down your pins slightly
--
gabetheunicycleman
Quotes from ACA
"two out of three of our children are directly involved with selling
drugs..."
"50% of all reproductive problems are because of the man..."😄 and
from my mum "is titanium strong?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
gabetheunicycleman's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13054
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
gabetheunicycleman
Archived post

8 November 2007, 09:13 UTC #15

you could grind down your pins slightly
--
gabetheunicycleman
Quotes from ACA
"two out of three of our children are directly involved with selling
drugs..."
"50% of all reproductive problems are because of the man..."😄 and
from my mum "is titanium strong?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
gabetheunicycleman's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13054
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
gabetheunicycleman
Archived post

8 November 2007, 09:13 UTC #16

you could grind down your pins slightly
--
gabetheunicycleman
Quotes from ACA
"two out of three of our children are directly involved with selling
drugs..."
"50% of all reproductive problems are because of the man..."😄 and
from my mum "is titanium strong?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
gabetheunicycleman's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13054
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
feel the light
Archived post

8 November 2007, 10:13 UTC #17

Basically, if you can ride one footed, this problem will go away.
I haven't learned that yet, so what I do, is twist and move the foot
around when it is around the top of the stroke. Only the down pedal is
powering the uni, and there is a bit of time to adjust your foot on the
other pedal.
--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
feel the light
Archived post

8 November 2007, 10:13 UTC #18

Basically, if you can ride one footed, this problem will go away.
I haven't learned that yet, so what I do, is twist and move the foot
around when it is around the top of the stroke. Only the down pedal is
powering the uni, and there is a bit of time to adjust your foot on the
other pedal.
--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
feel the light
Archived post

8 November 2007, 10:13 UTC #19

Basically, if you can ride one footed, this problem will go away.
I haven't learned that yet, so what I do, is twist and move the foot
around when it is around the top of the stroke. Only the down pedal is
powering the uni, and there is a bit of time to adjust your foot on the
other pedal.
--
feel the light
------------------------------------------------------------------------
feel the light's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14551
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report
smee56
Archived post

8 November 2007, 10:58 UTC #20

I find on the upstroke helps and dont do it whilst riding fast because
the after effects arnt good...When i do it i just lift it slightly and
move it accross slightly and if it moves whilst riding down steps etc i
just move it damn fast accross so i dont fall..
--
smee56
Mortz³
------------------------------------------------------------------------
smee56's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15650
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/65552
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Report

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.

Jump through the discussion

What we know about this thread

Continue through CyclingForums

Active in this thread