One legged training

[Andy_G]

Today was the first time ive tried one legged turbo training and dam how horrid it was.
Left leg first and it was awful 2-5 was ok 5-8 but 8-2 was crap, it felt like i wasnt going full circle and was jerky, the right leg was so much more comfortable.
That now doesnt surprise me because it proved my right leg is more dominant, which thinking about it after a long ride my right leg aches more.
It does actually dishearten me from trying again.

 

[chernij]

I have to admit I've never heard of this before - what's the use of it, exactly?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Tackles imbalances primarily

 

[Rob3rt]

Single leg cycling is on the most part a waste of time. As for your "findings", they probably do not indicate what you assume them to, if you want to know how your power balance is, get on a bike or trainer with a power meter with L/R measurement. I think you will find that your power balance is probably nowhere near as asymmetrical as you think!

I have to admit I've never heard of this before - what's the use of it, exactly?

To pass the time!

 

[chernij]

Single leg cycling is on the most part a waste of time. As for your "findings", they probably do not indicate what you assume them to, if you want to know how your power balance is, get on a bike or trainer with a power meter with L/R measurement. I think you will find that your power balance is probably nowhere near as asymmetrical as you think!



To pass the time!

Does power balance matter so much? For example, when I play football I'm left-footed, so surely I generate more power with my left leg?

 

[Rob3rt]

Does power balance matter so much? For example, when I play football I'm left-footed, so surely I generate more power with my left leg?

It matters, but it is not something you ought to be consciously concerned with unless you do have some sort of considerable imbalance (or your bike fit is shoot and you sit on the bike with your hips angled). Almost everyone has a dominant side which will generate marginally more power however, power balance typically ends up being within a few %.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I've occasionally cycled (on the road, no TT here) with one foot, chiefly to see how smooth my pedalling is through 360 degrees. Or unsmooth.... I've not done it seriously enough to know whether it could be any help though.

 

[Rob3rt]

I've occasionally cycled (on the road, no TT here) with one foot, chiefly to see how smooth my pedalling is through 360 degrees. Or unsmooth.... I've not done it seriously enough to know whether it could be any help though.

By cycling with one leg your pedal stroke will become so massively unnatural so you won't really find out how smooth your pedalling action is.

I sometimes pedal with one leg, it confuses people who don't understand what clipless pedals are!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

By cycling with one leg your pedal stroke will become so massively unnatural so you won't really find out how smooth your pedalling action is.

I sometimes pedal with one leg, it confuses people who don't understand what clipless pedals are!

To be honest, the pedal action didn't feel unnatural, it was having a dangling leg that felt really weird. I've seen people tuck their leg back and rest it on the rear axle bolts but I'm afraid I'll plant my foot into the spokes.

 

[Andy_G]

The only thing im going to do now is, when im riding im just going to try and concentrate on my left leg more.
The one legged turbo sessions are over before it got going, but at least it gave me something to think about.

 

[montage]

Try the same but out of the saddle. Please video

 

[sheddy]

Mr Spigot, fond memories...

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Don't some people advise it as a way of smoothing out the pedalling action? The only time I did it was when the bearings on a pedal seized on my way home from work, the pedal unscrewed and I had to put it in my bag and finish the commute one legged.

 

[Steve Saunders]

With clipless pedals it comes in handy, from time to time, to be able to cycle one legged. e.g. if you are crossing a road, and miss clipping in it allows you to clear the junction quicker; or if you're going uphill it helps to be able to get up a bit of momentum before attempting to clip in as this reduces the chances of an SPD(-sl) comedy fall.

I wouldn't say training is necessary, but practicing it from time to time helps.

 

[accountantpete]

The trick is to ride one-legged full on with the left and also apply lesser pressure with the right.

Keep it up - you see a lot of Pro's riding the same way!