Do Pros Really Pedal More Smoothly? | GCN Does Science
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- Опубликовано: 26 дек 2017
- We often think that smoother pedalling technique is better - but is it really? We investigate, with the help of some UAE Emirates pro cyclists, and some not-so-pro riders too.
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Pedalling technique is always a controversial subject amongst cyclist. Is smoother better? Should we try and pedal more smoothly or should we just leave it up to instinct and our bodies will find the most efficient way naturally. Well, we thought we try and do a little experiment. We are at the headquarters of Elite in Northern Italy cause they have a pedalling analysis app that utilises some of the mind-boggling array of data that's generated by the top of the range Smart Trainer, the Drivo. And two top Pro Cyclist, Marco Marcato and Federico Zurlo, are just about to walk through that door. Do pros pedal smoothly? And does it really matter? We're gonna do a simple test to really get a feel for just how smoothly their pedalling and we're gonna gauge it using the Elite Pedalling Analysis App. It gives us a real-time polar view which you can see this behind me there. It's measuring the force that Marco's putting out. 24 times per pedal stroke. The more even output, the smoother the pedal stroke. So to start with, they're gonna be riding 150 watts. We should tacks them greatly Federico in particular is probably gonna be cursing his luck that he's in the middle of his off-season. But then they're gonna up it to 300 watts for a minute for finally 450 watts for a minute. The end of each interval we're gonna get a number which is the uniformity index and that should categorically show just how smooth they really are. Marco, you ready?
- Yes, I'm ready.
- Let's go.
- Smooth, I think. Smooth! Federico, you ready?
- Yes.
- You ready, alright, so 150 watts for one minute, let's go for it. I feel like a mad scientist down here making them run at 450 watts. Now before we delve to D.P. end results as you could probably tell I can't resist and I'm gonna have a go as well. Clearly I don't have the talent of the other two, but potentially there is a chance that I might be as smooth as the other two, fingers crossed. Who's gonna win the Crystal Crank trophy?
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Leave us a comment below!
This should have been a blind test, without them looking at the screen, possibly without even the riders knowing that their pedalling efficiency in particular is being analysed.
You shouldn't show the data to the rider during the experiment
I think the pros just pedaled normally as they have nothing to prove. Si and the rest attempted to smooth out there pedal stokes to improve their scores. Should have hidden the screen and told everyone completing the test they were investigating something else.
Being a former pro Si you should know why pros pedal they way they do. However you touched on it right at the end. I believe the US team 7-11 did a study regarding pedalling back in the 80s. In basic terms they found that pedalling for more of the up stroke that they gained more power however this did not improve their performance as it affected their efficiency. Pros pedal in the way they do because it is most efficient. Allowing the leg to relax and rest for a moment on the up stroke is a good thing. People teaching cyclists to pedal through the up stroke while riding normally on flat terrain (not under sprinting load) is quite an ignorant thing to do.
Please try this test with oval chainrings. Do they improve pedaling style/smoothness with regards to regular chainrings? Amazing video!
This is a good experiment. Can you guys redo this with a modern oval (absolute black, wolf tooth, etc...) chainring to prove what they're claiming?
So Elite's mind boggling array of data doesn't include the upstroke power, and therefore the pedalling uniformity calculation presented is useless, got it.
was this test blind? Did all your volunteers know you were testing for smoothness? if they did, they might be changing their pedalstroke, especially if they can see how smooth they're being on a live feed in front of them.
Very interesting!!! Please revisit this subject and do more tests.
why not use garmin vectors which can properly distinguish between left and right power ?
I wonder if you had everyone ride at relative ftp percentages if you would see a different trend then with the absolute wattages. I would guess the more fit people can just hammer it while the less fit have to give their best, smoothest performance.
Oh simon, so desperately clinging on to "you get power pulling up" Tbf the results are pretty logical, irregular downstrokes being the result, with increase of power only on the downstroke, because that is the most (only) efficient way to pedal. Power on the pedals = accelerating momentum.
Anyone know some pedalling dynamics software (Windows) that could read/analyse data via Ant+ (e.g. from Vectors) while on trainer ?
You should have let chocolate voice do this as well, in order to find out whether his pedalling technique is just as smooth as his voice.
I love your channel! You guys come up with fantastic videos and great ways to put the questions to the test. Great job. Keep it up!
As Si says, more science needed. I appreciate Si's willingness to try flat pedals. To do flat pedals correctly, need good mtn bike flat pedals and good stiff shoes. Most important is to move the pedal to mid-sole to take the calf muscle out of the stroke. (Ankles and small calf muscles prevent all power from large glut muscles from reaching the pedals. For example, would you prefer to be on your toes or flat footed when you attempt a vertical high jump?)
Eeek, what does the sponsor think to those results? sounds to me like you don't need to track the technique. cracking video as always Si.
I can't figure out how to interpret that 'pedal peanut'. How are you suppose to read that graph?
For sure lately my most favorite sessions on the trainer are those with variable cadence. Gradually or abruptly changing, I don’t care, just bring’em on!
May i know which program that you guy use in video to collect degree of pedal