"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).
I never wrote the above.
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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.
Your instructor was correct, and I'm sure that was what was originally meant. I am interested to know why 'ankling' it can be seen as controversial and damaging as it certainly does seem to improve pedalling style.
"soup" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
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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 ?
Personally I think people should just do whatever comes naturally. For my wife this means getting off and walking. For me, it occasionally means cycling so slowly I almost come to a stop, get my foot tangled in the toestrap, and tip over.
Your instructor was correct, and I'm sure that was what was originally meant. I am interested to know why 'ankling' it can be seen as controversial and damaging as it certainly does seem to improve pedalling style.
Sheldon Brown believes he injured himself quite seriously by trying too hard to ankle. Jobst Brandt also has some persuasive arguments that pedalling style is completely irrelevant to cycling efficiency. Try Googling in rec.bicylcles.tech.
-- Dave...
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it. If you live. - Mark Twain
Your instructor was correct, and I'm sure that was what was originally meant. I am interested to know why 'ankling' it can be seen as controversial and damaging as it certainly does seem to improve pedalling style.
Sheldon Brown believes he injured himself quite seriously by trying too hard to ankle. Jobst Brandt also has some persuasive arguments that pedalling style is completely irrelevant to cycling efficiency. Try Googling in rec.bicylcles.tech.
Many thanks Dave. It seems the jury is well and truly out with so much comment being anecdotal. Mention is probably best avoided then, when training young cyclists.
in message <[email hidden]>, JohnB ([email hidden]'😉
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Simon Brooke said:
in message <[email hidden]>, soup
(') 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,....
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.
Ankling does *not* involve 'putting the power through your heel'. Nor can it be misinterpreted as such. Without wishing to malign those (including those here) who are expert cyclists and devote a lot of time to passing this skill on, it has to be said that 'putting the power through your heel' is just ignorance. I do not believe it is defensible.
It is difficult to master. Perhaps you need more practice ;-)
I don't wish to practise something that feels so wrong.
Fair enough if thats what *you* find.
I cannot abide running. That feels wrong too - totally ridiculous when you could be riding a bike.
I agree on both counts. Those that don't find ankling toooo horrible can try it (and it may well be beneficial for all I know), and running is rubbish. I don't even like walking :-)
in message <[email hidden]>, JohnB ([email hidden]'😉
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Simon Brooke said:
in message <[email hidden]>, soup ([email hidden]'😉 wrote:
> 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.
Ankling does *not* involve 'putting the power through your heel'. Nor can it be misinterpreted as such.
Without hearing the original conversation between the young trainee and instructor I would not wish to comment so emphatically on the trainee's interpretation.
in message <[email hidden]>, JohnB ([email hidden]'😉
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Dave Kahn said:
JohnB said:
Your instructor was correct, and I'm sure that was what was originally meant. I am interested to know why 'ankling' it can be seen as controversial and damaging as it certainly does seem to improve pedalling style.
Sheldon Brown believes he injured himself quite seriously by trying too hard to ankle. Jobst Brandt also has some persuasive arguments that pedalling style is completely irrelevant to cycling efficiency. Try Googling in rec.bicylcles.tech.
Many thanks Dave. It seems the jury is well and truly out with so much comment being anecdotal. Mention is probably best avoided then, when training young cyclists.
There's this much in favour of ankling even if it does nothing for power. It exercises the muscles and tendons of the ankle without jarring them, and keeps the blood moving in your foot. If you get pins and needles in your feet when cycling, ankling may be worth trying (works for me).
