After the suggestion Cons got from Robbie Ventura about his cleat position, I came across this blog:
http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/blog/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/
Take it with a little grain of salt, but there might be something in it.
Interesting, I had never read this article before but I always positioned my cleats exactly as he recommended, with the ball of the foot ahead of the pedal axle, not over.
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on a lot on body & bike geometry, what kind of riding, etc. Track Bike positioning you do want to use as much leverage as possible so a little aft is a good thing, long hilly/mountainous courses you want to be able to drop your heals sometime to stretch those hammies and calves on a long climb. Also, climbing I prefer to have a neutral position over the pedal axle. That way you always have good leverage when you are sitting in the saddle push/pulling or standing dancing up the climb like Lance, Contador, Andy, etal. I new guys that actually when a little behind the axle, but that's crazy talk.
ReplyDeleteBTW. The article is on target. What was Robbie telling Con's?
ReplyDeleteWe should have a communal bike fitting session somewhere this spring
ReplyDeleteRobbie wanted Cons to move his cleats backwards, so effectively to move the pedal axel further back towards the middle of the foot.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty standard all around position. You can get away with being a little forward in the flat lands. Getting off the center of the pedal axle limits your true "circular" motion, I've always been told creates dead spots in your pedaling motion. My track setup was a little forward, but we didn't spin, like the road. It was pedal mashing power all the way.
ReplyDelete