Which way does your chain swing - an experiment

[CatSpin]

My kids got me a chain for Valentine's...sweet gesture from the two of them.

Doing a couple of hills on my trainer today, I noticed that at times the chain around my neck swung left and right, other times forward and backwards. Taking greater notice, when I was concentrating on a smoother stroke and not so much rocking, it tended to swing front to back. Especially when pulling my knees up and forward. On the other hand, when pushing down more than pulling up it swung left to right. Hmmm...

Could this necklace be insight to proper pedaling? or have I taken this way to far.


Completely nuts, or onto something. Let the comments fly,

CatSpin

 

[ElRamon]

What you need is some little electrical fitting and possibly a mercury switch, so that when it swings the wrong way you get an electric shock. And before you know it...voila! the perfect pedal stroke

 

[birdman23]

My kids got me a chain for Valentine's...sweet gesture from the two of them.

Doing a couple of hills on my trainer today, I noticed that at times the chain around my neck swung left and right, other times forward and backwards. Taking greater notice, when I was concentrating on a smoother stroke and not so much rocking, it tended to swing front to back. Especially when pulling my knees up and forward. On the other hand, when pushing down more than pulling up it swung left to right. Hmmm...

Could this necklace be insight to proper pedaling? or have I taken this way to far.


Completely nuts, or onto something. Let the comments fly,

CatSpin

Very interesting theory CatSpin. I am very curious to see what others have to say.

 

[ElRamon]

I was watching last years tour on DVD a few nights ago, and a few of those guys were wearing chains. Including, I think, Armstrong. I'll have a look at it again tomorrow. It will be interesting to have a look with your theory in mind.

 

[ric_stern/RST]

My kids got me a chain for Valentine's...sweet gesture from the two of them.

Doing a couple of hills on my trainer today, I noticed that at times the chain around my neck swung left and right, other times forward and backwards. Taking greater notice, when I was concentrating on a smoother stroke and not so much rocking, it tended to swing front to back. Especially when pulling my knees up and forward. On the other hand, when pushing down more than pulling up it swung left to right. Hmmm...

Could this necklace be insight to proper pedaling? or have I taken this way to far.


Completely nuts, or onto something. Let the comments fly,

CatSpin

in the available research into pedalling dynamics using force instrumented pedals and iEMG, the data shows that better cyclists (elite) push down more and pull up less, compared to less good cyclists (state) who pushed down less and pulled up more. The only time that there is big benefit to the latter pedalling style is in low traction situations (e.g., off-road climbing or climbing a steep road grade in the rain, etc).

ric

 

[Tmax1]

I knew a guy long ago that was a dowser.

Maybe you are a dowser and your necklace can tell where water or lost objects are.

Hmmm....

 

[Orange Fish]

My kids got me a chain for Valentine's...sweet gesture from the two of them.

Doing a couple of hills on my trainer today, I noticed that at times the chain around my neck swung left and right, other times forward and backwards. Taking greater notice, when I was concentrating on a smoother stroke and not so much rocking, it tended to swing front to back. Especially when pulling my knees up and forward. On the other hand, when pushing down more than pulling up it swung left to right. Hmmm...

Could this necklace be insight to proper pedaling? or have I taken this way to far.


Completely nuts, or onto something. Let the comments fly,

CatSpin

I think Lance's goes left to right and that can be attributed to Ric's comments in that the elite cyclists spend more time on the downstroke and less time pulling up when compared to less skilled cyclists.
I can't remember for sure, but just looking at a picture that I have of him (Lance, not Ric) on my wall, his chain is WAY over on the right side of his chest and his left leg is just beginning the downstroke. Kinda cool.

 

[ElRamon]

Watching the 2003 tour last his cross on a chain seemd to be going backwards and forwards. It was the stage where he fell, so he was pretty angry and going like a maniac.