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 Post subject: Flat pedal foot position
PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 4:00 pm 
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Not to reignite the flat vs. clipless debate, but just a comment to some friends who are longtime clipless riders but recently decided to try flats and felt dissatisfied. Maybe how you plant your foot is a factor. A friend commented his foot was coming off, even with FiveTens. I just read this and agree with this guy. This is how I position my foot, pedal axle behind the ball, not directly under it like clip less. I feel like I get a stronger stroke and less fatigue, and feet don't slip.

http://m.pinkbike.com/news/why-you-dont-want-to-push-through-the-ball-of-your-foot-when-you-pedal-2014.html


But that's me...YMMV.

Happy trails, Dan

[edit: just found this related video. He also talks about dropped heel position, which I've heard before, but haven't successfully implemented because I forget and revert to my usual flat stance.]


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 4:26 pm 
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I'll give mid-foot a try, but I've been a ball-of-my-feet guy for a long time. It doesn't make much sense on a bike, but being on the balls of my feet makes me feel agile when I'm descending.

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 4:34 pm 
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Canaan wrote:
I'll give mid-foot a try, but I've been a ball-of-my-feet guy for a long time. It doesn't make much sense on a bike, but being on the balls of my feet makes me feel agile when I'm descending.


Yes, I get that, and on the balls of the feet is how you do a lot if agility sports (like basketball & tennis). But on the other hand, you frequently plant your feet for power & stability to make a shot. Maybe plant your feet solidly on the pedals and let the agility reside in the bike itself...?

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:05 pm 
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i ride flats, when I'm climbing i shift my contact point to under the ball and when i am riding everything else i have it behind.


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:58 pm 
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DannyHuynh wrote:
i ride flats, when I'm climbing i shift my contact point to under the ball and when i am riding everything else i have it behind.


That's pretty much what I did on this ride and it worked really well (flat and climbing on the balls of my feet). I felt better connected to the bike on the descent and, as Dan said, the bike handled the agility part of it very well on its own.

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 2:02 pm 
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That video makes good sense.

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 3:23 pm 
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I subscribe to James' blog. He offers a lot of great advice. He' a strong advocate for flat pedals, without being anti-clipless.

I read this article recently and started paying closer attention to foot placement. I'm constantly battling with placing the ball of my foot forward the axle. It does feel more stable on the downhill.

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:13 pm 
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Definitely a convert to the mid-foot position when descending. Did it again on today's ride and it made a world of difference. Maybe it's all in my head, but as long as it gives me confidence to charge a little harder, who cares?

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:15 pm 
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also work on pointing your heels down towards the ground when riding flats. it helps the legs absorb trail input and adds traction to the wheels.

i learned it from a skills video with Fabian Barel.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 5:51 pm 
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DannyHuynh wrote:
also work on pointing your heels down towards the ground when riding flats. it helps the legs absorb trail input and adds traction to the wheels.

i learned it from a skills video with Fabian Barel.


Yes, huge confidence builder. I learned this from mtbtips.com. The guy also has a youtube channel. Also a great technique/traning resource.

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 3:05 am 
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Bump for Ryan Leech online flat pedal course, free thru end of the year:

https://learn.ryanleech.com/p/the-flat-pedal-challenge?utm_source=Ryan+Leech%27s+Newsletter&utm_campaign=3be3c0376d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_12_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65ac0a5e5d-3be3c0376d-355900733&mc_cid=3be3c0376d&mc_eid=06fbadbf1c

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