Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel, I was saying that was nonsence and that clipless pedals don't even give you the option (ball of the foot over the pedal axle)and clipped pedals hold your feet from going too far forward, in fact the only time I can think of your heels being on the pedals is to get the height of the saddle correct . Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
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soup said:
Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
Unlikely, this heel idea is nonsense, as you thought.
Using heel only would effectively remove your calf muscles from the equation. Bloody silly idea.
All I can think that he is referring to is the technique of keeping the heel down during the pedal stroke. May cyclists raise their heels when using clips and this does nothing for output.
2 years ago I made a conscious effort to keep my foot level during the revolution and now it comes naturally. My power output has increased.
-- Mark (MSA) This post is packaged by intellectual weight, not volume. Some settling of contents may have occurred during transmission
Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel,
Good grief. I hope all the other kids listen to your kid and ignore the "instructor".
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I was saying that was nonsence and that clipless pedals don't even give you the option (ball of the foot over the pedal axle)and clipped pedals hold your feet from going too far forward, in fact the only time I can think of your heels being on the pedals is to get the height of the saddle correct .
Even that's not reliable, IMHO.
Quoted message said:
Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
soup said:
Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
Unlikely, this heel idea is nonsense, as you thought.
Using heel only would effectively remove your calf muscles from the equation. Bloody silly idea.
All I can think that he is referring to is the technique of keeping the heel down during the pedal stroke. May cyclists raise their heels when using clips and this does nothing for output.
2 years ago I made a conscious effort to keep my foot level during the revolution and now it comes naturally. My power output has increased.
I cycle naturally in a 'heels down' method. Toes down just doesn't work, and in fact leads to cramp in short order. I *think* it's come about from previously riding horses, where heels down is fairly important, and the fact that heels-down allows me to have my saddle lower than it would have to be if I cycled toes-down. I don't use clipless, but find it's not a problem for the foot slipping off the pedal (I use those zefal toe-cup things) - and I can in fact get power through part of the upper 'forwardly' part of hte stroke, but surprisingly also some of the bottom 'backwardly' bit.
I have no idea if it makes any real difference, cos I've no way of measuring, but it certainly feels better than horizontal or pointed. Pointed just feels *wrong*. Plus, I've a vague idea heels down might stop the shortening of the ligaments on the back of the legs when lots of cycling's done, though in practice I've felt mine getting tighter following a stint of regular training, no idea if the toe-pointers get it worse than I did though.
Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel, I was saying that was nonsence and that clipless pedals don't even give you the option (ball of the foot over the pedal axle)and clipped pedals hold your feet from going too far forward, in fact the only time I can think of your heels being on the pedals is to get the height of the saddle correct . Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
The tutor has the right idea but the wrong way of describing it:
soup popped their head over the parapet saw what was going on and said
Quoted message said:
Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel, I was saying that was nonsence and that clipless pedals don't even give you the option (ball of the foot over the pedal axle)and clipped pedals hold your feet from going too far forward, in fact the only time I can think of your heels being on the pedals is to get the height of the saddle correct . Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
Thanks all looks like the eldest got the wrong end of the stick and what the instructor actually was describing was "ankling". He heard "heel" "pedal" put two and two together and got five.
soup popped their head over the parapet saw what was going on and said
Quoted message said:
Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel,
Thanks all looks like the eldest got the wrong end of the stick and what the instructor actually was describing was "ankling". He heard "heel" "pedal" put two and two together and got five.
That's what I thought - possibly the instructor was trying to explain it like all these martial arts chappies who seem to want your weight in your bladder.
Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel, I was saying that was nonsence and that clipless pedals don't even give you the option (ball of the foot over the pedal axle)and clipped pedals hold your feet from going too far forward, in fact the only time I can think of your heels being on the pedals is to get the height of the saddle correct . Does anyone havea link to a website that shows the "proper" technique or have heard of this "power through the heels"idea ?
This is lunacy and is merely indication that the people being employed to teach 'cycling proficiency' these days have probably never ridden a bicycle in their lives.
Was just out with the eldest and he was saying the chap that took them for "cycling proficiency" had told them that while peddaling up a hill you should put the power through your heel,....
This is lunacy and is merely indication that the people being employed to teach 'cycling proficiency' these days have probably never ridden a bicycle in their lives.
I teach cycle training and would also explain this ankling technique to more advanced riders. I am sure the 'chap' meant 'ankling'. It was taught to me many years ago although it does take some getting used to. For a reference I suggest John Franklin's Cyclecraft which has a very clear diagram and description and shows the ankle down position at the top and just beyond the start of the downward pedal stroke, ie the point of maximum power. This would equate to the comment (not very well put) of putting the power through the heel. Franklin says: "Another important rule of pedalling is to 'ankle' the pedals round: do not simply push them down. This means pivoting the foot at the ankle so that the toe is pointed slightly upwards at the top of the stroke [1] and downwards at the bottom. In this way you should aim to apply pressure to each pedal withyour foot for about three-quarters of its circle of travel. Aquiring a good pedalling style is important, and will help dispel the myth that cycling is hard work."
[1] this of course means the heel is dropped.
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Quick answer: no.
I reckon there was some misinterpretation and he was in fact right.
I agree there are some pretty poor instructors out there due to the nature of the volunteer system that has been used. I know of one LA instructor who couldn't even ride a bike. However things are rapidly improving now that there is a national standard for instructor training and a growth in professional training.
I teach cycle training and would also explain this ankling technique to more advanced riders. I am sure the 'chap' meant 'ankling'. It was taught to me many years ago although it does take some getting used to. For a reference I suggest John Franklin's Cyclecraft which has a very clear diagram and description and shows the ankle down position at the top and just beyond the start of the downward pedal stroke, ie the point of maximum power.
Ankling is a controversial technique. Some believe it is damaging and inefficient. It's never felt right to me anyway (unless I do it slightly, subconsciously).
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This would equate to the comment (not very well put) of putting the power through the heel.
Let's hope that generous interpretation is correct as it's better than actually pedalling with heels -- something that some people do do!
"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:[email hidden]:
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JohnB wrote:
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Ankling is a controversial technique. Some believe it is damaging and inefficient. It's never felt right to me anyway (unless I do it slightly, subconsciously).
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This would equate to the comment (not very well put) of putting the power through the heel.
Let's hope that generous interpretation is correct as it's better than actually pedalling with heels -- something that some people do do!
When I did my cycling proficiency many moons ago, the instructor did teach us to pedal with the front of the foot rather than the middle (as I did then) or the heel (which I can't imagine). Since I got toe straps and then SPDs it hasn't been a problem anyway. FWIW I don't think putting the "power through the heel" means directly from the heel to the pedal, rather using the ankle as a lever.
I teach cycle training and would also explain this ankling technique to more advanced riders. I am sure the 'chap' meant 'ankling'. It was taught to me many years ago although it does take some getting used to. For a reference I suggest John Franklin's Cyclecraft which has a very clear diagram and description and shows the ankle down position at the top and just beyond the start of the downward pedal stroke, ie the point of maximum power.
Ankling is a controversial technique. Some believe it is damaging and inefficient.
I've never heard of it as being controversial or damaging. What are the reasons for this? Can you provide some references as I'm interested. Clearly Franklin considers it to be advantageous.
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It's never felt right to me anyway (unless I do it slightly, subconsciously).
It is difficult to master. Perhaps you need more practice ;-) I must say I was surprised to hear it being raised within _child_ cycle-proficiency training. I doubt whether it was 'approved' training, more likely the instructor was using some of his experience as a rider.
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This would equate to the comment (not very well put) of putting the power through the heel.
Let's hope that generous interpretation is correct as it's better than actually pedalling with heels -- something that some people do do!
Anyone suggesting riding with the heels should not be teaching cycling.
