Powertap pedals

[knight987]

Hi All

I bought some powertap P1 pedals and have discovered (i already suspected) that I have a left/right leg imbalance which manifests itself about 20 mins into ride as ~45/55% difference in power between left and right leg. To correct this, i set my garmin to view power per pedal and simply pushed harder with my left leg to keep this 50/50 balance. Towards the end of the ride my left adductor (i think) was hyperactive and I was struggling to use the leg. Any ideas why this would have happened, I am thinking glute not doing its job?

Cheers, knight987

 

[Citius]

Everyone has a L/R imbalance of some sort. Just focus on producing more power with both legs. Trying to achieve perfect balance is pointless and probably impossible.

 

[knight987]

Th

Everyone has a L/R imbalance of some sort. Just focus on producing more power with both legs. Trying to achieve perfect balance is pointless and probably impossible.

Thanks for te input but doesn't really explain why my left adductor went into mega-overdrive nor why my left/right leg balance is near perfect for the first 20 mins. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Citius]

Because you tried to correct your 'imbalance' by over-stressing your supposedly 'weaker' leg. Difficult to comment on why the balance went out, without knowing what you were actually doing on the turbo (ie what kind of session). It's quite possible that everyone else's legs do exactly the same.

 

[Milkfloat]

During my period of sciatica I had serious leg power imbalance, during my recover from surgery I concentrated on trying to or correct this. I now have an imbalance the other way. It is pretty minor though. I find that if I concentrate on my motion overall then I am pretty well balanced, when I get tired or lose concentration then the imbalance comes back.

 

[Citius]

http://burnhamcoaching.com/power-balance/
http://alex-cycle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/left-right-out-of-balance.html

 

[knight987]

Thanks guys. Citius, very useful links; thanks for this, it certainly puts things into a little more perspective. Milkfloat, I have had back problems that have caused some minor neurological issues so this too is very useful info. I think I'll continue to work on my imbalance as I do believe it exists but i won't lose sleep nor create injury in my quest.

Happy New Year and good cycling in 2016.

 

[Citius]

Trying to correct it is a wild goose chase with no guarantee of improved performance anyway. Just accept the imbalance, understand that probably everyone has one, and use your PM to improve your combined power from both legs.

 

[windyrider]

Beware of the data. I have a Watt Bike indoor trainer that shows a slight imbalance in power, although within the expected range, yet my bike pedals show a constant 50/50 split.

I just get on with it, could be me could be the bike could be the trainer, after all the road is in dynamic motion whereas the trainer is fixed.

 

[clid61]

I have sciatic palsy in my left leg combined with a drop foot , which means my shin and calf muscle in left leg are wasted . It does build up when excercising but only to a certain limit . My performance is reliant on how I ride , Improvements I dont look for , its the comfort and distance of the ride that matter to me , maybe you should be looking at that instead ?