pealling push up push down

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I am putting together a more simplified biomechanical description and I'll give it to you later, too busy now.



I know this explanation will also be a waste of time , this is how easy the technique is, so I hope you understand it. First for this technique, correct bike set up (high bar position 1-2 " lower than saddle) and old style cleats etc are a necessity. When the right leg is in the 10- 11 o'c position, the line of sole of shoe, lower leg and thigh are in the shape of a reversed or mirrored Z. As soon as the left leg passes the 5 o'c position, using almost every muscle in the right leg from hip to ball of foot and starting with the sole of shoe line, concentration is focused on attempting to straighten out that Z shape until the pedal reaches 5 o'c, at which point it is instantly unweighted and drawn back (not up) to reform that Z shape at 10. You are using muscles that you never used before and they have to be trained for this new workload. Unlike the pulling up muscles all of these muscles can be trained for maximum power and endurance. While the Cycling Weekly article stated Anquetil kept his ankles in a rigid position, he did in fact use the full range of ankle movement and this is how the dead spot area is totally eliminated and replaced with the same constant power that is used at 2, 3 and 4 o'c. The pointing down of shoes is part of this straightening attempt. The line through which this straightening is done is parallel to the arm resistance and this makes maximum arm resistance available to increase pedal power whenever the occasion requires it.

I know this explanation will also be a waste of time , this is how easy the technique is, so I hope you understand it. First for this technique, correct bike set up (high bar position 1-2 " lower than saddle) and old style cleats etc are a necessity. When the right leg is in the 10- 11 o'c position, the line of sole of shoe, lower leg and thigh are in the shape of a reversed or mirrored Z. As soon as the left leg passes the 5 o'c position, using almost every muscle in the right leg from hip to ball of foot and starting with the sole of shoe line, concentration is focused on attempting to straighten out that Z shape until the pedal reaches 5 o'c, at which point it is instantly unweighted and drawn back (not up) to reform that Z shape at 10. You are using muscles that you never used before and they have to be trained for this new workload. Unlike the pulling up muscles all of these muscles can be trained for maximum power and endurance. While the Cycling Weekly article stated Anquetil kept his ankles in a rigid position, he did in fact use the full range of ankle movement and this is how the dead spot area is totally eliminated and replaced with the same constant power that is used at 2, 3 and 4 o'c. The pointing down of shoes is part of this straightening attempt. The line through which this straightening is done is parallel to the arm resistance and this makes maximum arm resistance available to increase pedal power whenever the occasion requires it.

I should also have added that beginners should not use this technique without first warming up for at least 15 mins and only then when cadence is 70+, you need the upper cadence to get the spring loaded effect into the muscles.

Is it fair to say that the biomechanical description is to place more emphasis on the down stroke and use the soleous muscles in pointing the toes down at the bottom of the stroke.

Is it fair to say that the biomechanical description is to place more emphasis on the down stroke and use the soleous muscles in pointing the toes down at the bottom of the stroke.
Does this make it any clearer or easier to understand, pedaling through perfect circles, you have to pedal through the 6 o'clock position as pulling your foot back 'as if you are trying to scrape mud from the bottom of your shoe'. begin the pulling scraping motion through the 3 o'clock position. To get you through the 12 o'clock position 'dead spot' as you pass the 12 o'clock position 'as if you where standing on a barrel and rolling it with your feet' start this at the 10 o'clock postion and through until the 3 o'clock position rolling over the top and repeat the cycle.

I think Crowley is suggesting a dead spot from 5-10 o clock is acceptable though in terms of dead spots I can't see how he's using 6-12 o clock as he doesn't pull back or push forward.

I think Crowley is suggesting a dead spot from 5-10 o clock is acceptable though in terms of dead spots I can't see how he's using 6-12 o clock as he doesn't pull back or push forward.
i usually spend about 5-10 minutes just riding without pushing down and generate all my power from the up stroke, i can generate enough power to get me up to around 18-20mph but if i push over and without stomping i can ride efficiently at around 24-25mph but if i encorperate the both i can ride easily 30+ and bottom out at 36mph on flats, so you tell me which method is more effective with the dead spots or trying to iron them out???

There are different styles of pedaling for different purposes and we're looking at power output in a little more depth than that but I agree with you that using both up and down creates more power.

I don't think Crowley's method is the most powerful (for the trained athlete) but it will have it's use somewhere.

I can't begin to imagine the power required in the downstroke to compensate for not using the upstroke or the dead sections at the top and bottom.

There are different styles of pedaling for different purposes and we're looking at power output in a little more depth than that but I agree with you that using both up and down creates more power.

I don't think Crowley's method is the most powerful (for the trained athlete) but it will have it's use somewhere.

I can't begin to imagine the power required in the downstroke to compensate for not using the upstroke or the dead sections at the top and bottom.
i guess there are different types, but i find that an higher cadence and trying to perform perfect circles is the best method i have tryed but i prefare longer TT's plus its easier to master if your riding a fixie to start with since it carries the leg through the entire pedal circle and not allowing one to coast but i guess your already aware of that. i would hate to imagine how difficult it would be to complete an 100 mile ride just by pushing alone.

I use Crowley's method to climb some hills but I also use very strong pulls.

Starting on a fixie does not help you with the full circle as it's just as easy to unweight the pedal on the up. A fixed wheel stops you from freewheeling it doesn't make you pedal continuously.

You could probably do a century with just pushing if you were well trained. I'm sure people have done centuries on platform pedals before.

I think Crowley is suggesting a dead spot from 5-11 o clock is acceptable though in terms of dead spots I can't see how he's using 6-12 o clock as he doesn't pull back or push forward.




You are correct but it's not like the dead spot at 12 o'c, it is only the slightest interruption as power application is switched from one leg to the other, it could almost be considered as continuous power application. Max power application starts at 11 and ends at 5 and the use of the arm resistance helps to make this continuous power application possible.

Is it fair to say that the biomechanical description is to place more emphasis on the down stroke and use the soleous muscles in pointing the toes down at the bottom of the stroke.


All emphasis is on the forward/down stroke and the pointing down of toes is attempted and continued from start to finish of the stroke. The unweighting and drawing back of idling leg is done naturally without any effort, yet it still contributes some power to the downward leg.

You are correct but it's not like the dead spot at 12 o'c, it is only the slightest interruption as power application is switched from one leg to the other, it could almost be considered as continuous power application. Max power application starts at 11 and ends at 5 and the use of the arm resistance helps to make this continuous power application possible.

Which is exactly what I said.

You're only using one leg at a time and therefore have a completly dead section for each leg between 5 and 11.

I use the same technique while applying max power between 7 and 10 in addition to your stroke allowing me to climb in a 53*12 for training purposes.

Which is exactly what I said.

You're only using one leg at a time and therefore have a completly dead section for each leg between 5 and 11.

I use the same technique while applying max power between 7 and 10 in addition to your stroke allowing me to climb in a 53*12 for training purposes.





One leg and two arms at a time in the power generating technique but the rising leg is not idle, it's doing some necessary useful work, unweighting and drawing back to 10 where it prepares muscles for max power application at 11 while at the same time taking a short rest. One important fact to remember is that the resistance for all my pedal power comes from my hips and arms, in your case the lower back must take all the resistance strain while my lower back is in a relaxed state at all times and the higher the gear, the more relaxed the lower back.

Do you mean the stabilisation or power comes from the arms and hips?

Do you really think you can pull with your upper body for long periods of time?

How do you use your hips without pulling up?

We know you can use your back for very long periods of time

Do you mean the stabilisation or power comes from the arms and hips?

Do you really think you can pull with your upper body for long periods of time?

How do you use your hips without pulling up?

We know you can use your back for very long periods of time




Most of the power and resistance comes from the hips, and while one arm is stabilising and supporting all upper body weight, the other arm is supplying additional pedalling resistance. The arm resistance is hinged in the hips, in your case if you attempt to use any arm resistance it will be hinged in the lower back which is not good. I can use my hips without doing any pulling up because one of my arms is doing the pulling up at all times. There is no limit to the time you can spend pulling up with the upper body because like the legs, one arm is being briefly rested while the other works.

I'd like to see you try this in a race?

I had no complaints about the concept of pushing only, but this technique is becoming a joke.

I'd like to see you try this in a race?

I had no complaints about the concept of pushing only, but this technique is becoming a joke.





I don't do any pushing as you know it, I slide the power towards the pedal axle, the cleat then gets to work and does the rest. That is why old style cleats etc. and correct cleat setting are so important if this technique is to be used. This technique is not for road races, it's ideal for TT's.

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I can use my hips without doing any pulling up because one of my arms is doing the pulling up at all times.

There is no limit to the time you can spend pulling up with the upper body because like the legs, one arm is being briefly rested while the other works.

Makes your technique a joke amongst good riders.
It would only take you 100meters in a road race to realise that you had the worst technique in the race.

I don't do any pushing as you know it, I slide the power towards the pedal axle, the cleat then gets to work and does the rest. That is why old style cleats etc. and correct cleat setting are so important if this technique is to be used. This technique is not for road races, it's ideal for TT's.

How many people apart from yourself, that are good cyclists, use this technique you've been describing? ;)

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Makes your technique a joke amongst good riders.
It would only take you 100meters in a road race to realise that you had the worst technique in the race.




Being able to use all three techniques, circular, mashing and linear, I use the most suitable technique for the different requirements during races or TT's. Take a look at Anquetil's video and see for yourself what linear pedalling can do for your technique.
When "your" pushing technique is used you are restricted to maximum power application in only one direction and this is the cause of that dead spot area between 11 and 1 o'c, when using the linear sliding style maximum power can be steered through that dead area and down by clever use of ankle and calf muscles. I am confident that this is the perfection all researchers have been seeking in pedalling technique with the added bonus of its medical advantages especially where the lower back is concerned. That is my final post. Hope your pushing and pulling up continues to work for you.