Am I pedaling wrong?

beison

So, I can go ahead and shed some light on this from the perspective of a racer. I'm a big sprinter, and I've clocked myself in a sprint for both top speed and acceleration speed (my jump). Comparing my numbers with my Look Keos and normal platforms, I can tell you that overall speed isn't really effected by pedal preference, but my jump absolutly is. I can accelerate *much* faster with the Looks, simply because you can use more muscles for the upstroke. The platforms don't really effect my top speed at the end of the sprint however.

But yeah, say what you guys want about cyclists not actually pulling up when they wear clipless, my acceleration from between 15-35 mph is *rediculiously* improved when I use clipless, and I don't know what else could contribute to this.

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jhuskey

I'll make one more comment on this subject. As I mention before the range of motion is increased without the compromise of stability, how much depends on the the float of the equipment.
Whether a great deal of power is derived or not it gives you the ability to pull and reduces cramping because of the ability to stretch out you legs in acounte motion while maintaining a rhythmic cadence.
At least this is how it works for me.

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Camilo

I'm just a recreational cyclist with decent gear. I use and have always used spd pedals so I don't know if what I'm writing is better or not with large cleat pedals.

But I agree with the premise that beison makes. Even though I don't race and am not all that strong, I'd have to say I agree that just starting out and especially hard accelleration, or other hard efforts - whether that's sprinting in a race, taking off from a light, etc. - is where the clipless pedals do the most good. I consciously think of pulling up and pedaling in a full circle when I have to really get somewhere fast (across an intersection, across a lane for a turn, etc.). PLUS and this is a BIG PLUS - the clipless pedals simply keep your feet securely on the pedals.

As for "steady state" pedaling, I agree that the idea that people actually use the pulling up muscles is pretty weak. It just isn't a major factor IMHO and from what I've read. But for the above, they're well worth it I think.

kdelong

You cannot pull up on regular platforms but you can pull up on a set of platforms with standard toeclips and straps. I do it all the time. I do not pull the straps as tight as they can be pulled but tight enough so that I can pull up on the upstroke. The wear on the top of my favorite pair of cycling shoes is proof of this. The straps are loose enough that they do not cause any loss of comfort or circulation and to release my foot, all I do is pull back rather than twist my foot, so float is not an issue. Yeah, I'm an old guy who only rides recreationally now. I have tried clipless and went back to my platforms because I'm more comfortable with them. I don't have a problem with people riding with clipless pedals but I think that there is a lot of misinformation that is directed at platform pedals such as saying that you cannot pull up on them during your upstroke.

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TheDarkLord

When people refer to platform pedals, they are referring to pedals without any toe clips. There is really no misinformation...