I still contend that it is not common sense that applying torque evening through the cycle is more efficient that applying it unevenly. From a high school physics point of view it very simple to apply the law of conservation of energy to see there is no difference. If there is any difference it must come from some complex physiological mechanisms which are very often contrary to common sense.
that is actually a good point. too many studies have concentrated on the pulling up but in fact the 11-1 and 5-7 phases are the weakest phases in the pedal cycle. so getting some propulsion there would make much more sense than at 9 o clock.
First, those complex physiological mechanisms are not contrary to common sense. To have common sense about these mechanisms you have to have knowledge of them. There are many things in science which appear to violate common sense, but they only seem so because people aren't informed about those processes. As for applying torque evenly through a cycle, someone has already posted a report (I think it was daveryanwyoming) that showed that when the subject (or subjects) pedaled using the cadence style that nearly everyone uses average power was higher than it was when the subject (or subjects) tried to pedal all the way around the circle. Other studies have shown that when when riders try to apply equal torque around the circle, one leg frequently opposed the other in terms of the direction of force from each leg. It should also be obvious that given the muscle structure and geometry of the leg, there will be a direction in which the force applied is maximum, and likewise there will a direction in which force applied is minimal. It might be a decent first though or hypothesis that applying even torque around the circle would be optimal, but there don't appear to be any studies that support that conclusion. That is significant. As for any "linear" technique, the terms don't even apply.gudujarlson said:
And you have missed the very good and very clear advice provided by Dave and others that trying to pedal harder in one part of the circle means you lose power in another and don't end up with any extra power overall. That is what coaches and riders are concerned about. No evidence yet that any attempt to change the application of force around the pedal stroke = higher power whether that is toe clips or clipless, independent cranks or fixed cranks are just trying to apply force in a different manner.
That is a nonsensical statement because that is what you and all other cyclists do when pedalling, you pedal harder between 1 and 5 o'c, where do you lose the power when you increase the force?. Now I understand why you don't give advice on pedalling.
You've misinterpreted what he's said. Read daveryanwyoming's posting of a study that showed a decrease in average power when cyclists under study used a angular power output different than what is typical. It would be wise, if you're going to persist you're hypothesis, that you read literature on power output vs crank angle. That is S.O.P. when formulating and presenting hypotheses.n crowley said:
yes only tangential force counts and the more degrees of tangential force you can apply over a rep the more mechanically efficient your pedalling will be. studies confirm that.
Yes you are. You're missing how the biomechanics of the human body, specifically the leg and its parts, work with the bicycle. You are not turning pedals with 3 link mechanical system powered by an independent power source whose output can be ramped up as needed. It's certainly not as easy as just applying the maximal force normal to the crank.n crowley said:
