Pedalling Position - Is mine all wrong? Does it make any difference?

[Upstream]

Guys...
I can give you an update on this. Yesterday I decided to try to test it out so I did a short ride (7 miles) with some hills (around 580feet of climbing). What I would do is hit a hill and start climbing it in the saddle as usual and then every now and then switch between ankling and my usual riding position.

What I found was that (and this is highly unscientific) was that when I switched to the ankling style, I seemed to be able to get more power going somehow as my legs felt under less stress and I was able to maintain speed. Having said that, on flat or downhill surfaces where I usually like to spin, while ankling I was unable to get anywhere close to the cadence that I can usually achieve.

 

[User269]

Guys...
I can give you an update on this. Yesterday I decided to try to test it out so I did a short ride (7 miles) with some hills (around 580feet of climbing). What I would do is hit a hill and start climbing it in the saddle as usual and then every now and then switch between ankling and my usual riding position.

What I found was that (and this is highly unscientific) was that when I switched to the ankling style, I seemed to be able to get more power going somehow as my legs felt under less stress and I was able to maintain speed. Having said that, on flat or downhill surfaces where I usually like to spin, while ankling I was unable to get anywhere close to the cadence that I can usually achieve.

If it isn't giving you any pain or discomfort, then I'd keep doing what you're doing.

+1.
Is it just cyclists who think it's appropriate to inform other riders, without any prompting or invitation, what they think of their position etc. etc.??
Apparently the answer is yes.

 

[Ian H]

Ankling's pretty much ignored now, but the idea behind it, that of pushing smoothly round the pedal stroke, is perfectly valid.

 

[Garz]

If you have not done so already, book yourself in for a proper bike fit. At least you can let an external pair of trained eyes measure you up and you can see if your existing setup was way out. Realistically it can take a long time till your happy with the bike fit, getting cleats, saddle, bars set perfectly will make the world of difference in the long run.

 

[Upstream]

I was on a sportive on Sunday. No one came up to me and offered advice however I did find a photo of me online that shows the position of my right foot part way through the power side of the stroke...

 

[Rob3rt]

Saddle looks low to me.

 

[Upstream]

Saddle looks low to me.

Really or are you just joking? Most people look at the height of my saddle and say that it must be way too high! My bike is a 62cm frame and the seat height is pretty up there.

Looking at that image again though and at the position of my left leg with the pedal pretty near the bottom of the stroke, it does sort of look as if my leg should be straighter at that point.

I'm going to check it again - just in case the post has slipped a bit. I don't think so though as I place a thin strip of black insulating tape at the bottom of the seat post (where it enters the seat tube) just so that I can keep an eye on any slippage.

I'll report back soon...

 

[Rob3rt]

Yes, really.

 

[Upstream]

Well spotted! The seat post had actually slipped almost an inch from where it had been. I've raised it about an inch higher than where it had previously been (so two inches on where it was in the photo).