Advantages of cycling shoes/cleats?



On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 19:39:00 +0000 (UTC), Tim Woodall
<[email protected]> wrote:


>Sore knees is often a sign of saddle too low or cadence too low. If you
>are going for clipless pedals you may find you need to raise your saddle
>a little more. (expecially if you go for Look pedals)


Many thanks - I'll try that. I've been wondering whether it's too low.
When I first put my feet in the clips they feel ok, but as the ride
progresses I get an urge to pull my feet out a bit so that I'm pushing
down on the pedal with the ball of my foot, and in that position it
feels as though my legs are a bit too bent. Does that make any sense
at all? I'm not sure wehther it's just me.
>
>Cadence you just have to work at - It (can) feel uncomfortable to spin the
>pedals. But try riding just one gear lower than you really want to be in
>and work from that. People will naturally use a cadence of about 60
>because that is the most efficient[1] but you want to be doing something
>above 80.


80 revolutions per minute? Wow.... I really need to change gear!

Many thanks for the tips :)


Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk
 
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 19:39:00 +0000 (UTC), Tim Woodall
<[email protected]> wrote:


>Sore knees is often a sign of saddle too low or cadence too low. If you
>are going for clipless pedals you may find you need to raise your saddle
>a little more. (expecially if you go for Look pedals)


Many thanks - I'll try that. I've been wondering whether it's too low.
When I first put my feet in the clips they feel ok, but as the ride
progresses I get an urge to pull my feet out a bit so that I'm pushing
down on the pedal with the ball of my foot, and in that position it
feels as though my legs are a bit too bent. Does that make any sense
at all? I'm not sure wehther it's just me.
>
>Cadence you just have to work at - It (can) feel uncomfortable to spin the
>pedals. But try riding just one gear lower than you really want to be in
>and work from that. People will naturally use a cadence of about 60
>because that is the most efficient[1] but you want to be doing something
>above 80.


80 revolutions per minute? Wow.... I really need to change gear!

Many thanks for the tips :)


Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk
 
Peewiglet <[email protected]> of wrote:
>When I first put my feet in the clips they feel ok, but as the ride
>progresses I get an urge to pull my feet out a bit so that I'm pushing
>down on the pedal with the ball of my foot, and in that position it
>feels as though my legs are a bit too bent. Does that make any sense
>at all? I'm not sure wehther it's just me.

The ball of your foot is what you should be pedalling with. If you need to
pull your feet out a bit to reach that position, then you may have clips
that are too big for your feet.

The classic starting point for saddle height is sit on saddle, put pedal at
bottom of stroke, put your heel on the pedal. Your leg should be just but
only just bent. It is common to start off with the saddle lower than that
and raise it as the rider gains confidence. If your hips rock as you pedal
then you have raised the saddle too far.
--
Get your facts first; then you can distort them as you please. Mark Twain
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email protected]lid
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>
 
Peewiglet <[email protected]> of wrote:
>When I first put my feet in the clips they feel ok, but as the ride
>progresses I get an urge to pull my feet out a bit so that I'm pushing
>down on the pedal with the ball of my foot, and in that position it
>feels as though my legs are a bit too bent. Does that make any sense
>at all? I'm not sure wehther it's just me.

The ball of your foot is what you should be pedalling with. If you need to
pull your feet out a bit to reach that position, then you may have clips
that are too big for your feet.

The classic starting point for saddle height is sit on saddle, put pedal at
bottom of stroke, put your heel on the pedal. Your leg should be just but
only just bent. It is common to start off with the saddle lower than that
and raise it as the rider gains confidence. If your hips rock as you pedal
then you have raised the saddle too far.
--
Get your facts first; then you can distort them as you please. Mark Twain
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email protected]lid
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>
 
On Tue, 26 Jul 2005 00:46:45 +0100, Steph Peters
<[email protected]> wrote:


>The ball of your foot is what you should be pedalling with. If you need to
>pull your feet out a bit to reach that position, then you may have clips
>that are too big for your feet.
>

Thanks - I didn't realise they came in different sizes, but it
certainly makes sense.

>The classic starting point for saddle height is sit on saddle, put pedal at
>bottom of stroke, put your heel on the pedal. Your leg should be just but
>only just bent. It is common to start off with the saddle lower than that
>and raise it as the rider gains confidence. If your hips rock as you pedal
>then you have raised the saddle too far.


Mine's ok by that measure, but still my legs do feel a bit cramped. I
may try raising it a little further just to see how it feels.

Thanks again :)


Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk
 
Peewiglet <[email protected]> of wrote:

>On Tue, 26 Jul 2005 00:46:45 +0100, Steph Peters
><[email protected]> wrote:


>>The ball of your foot is what you should be pedalling with. If you need to
>>pull your feet out a bit to reach that position, then you may have clips
>>that are too big for your feet.
>>

>Thanks - I didn't realise they came in different sizes, but it
>certainly makes sense.


Yes, they came in small, medium and large. I have some old small ones
sitting in the bits box that I'll never use. They were fine for my size
5's; send me an email if you would like them.
--
Each and everyone of you is entitled to my opinion.
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email protected]lid
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>
 

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