Myths surrounding clipless pedals

  • Thread starter Thread starter verdugist
  • Start date Start date
rojomas said:
That's complete BS. Long stems are suppose to aid in climbing by getting your weight forward. Shorter stems handle the descents better by getting your weight back. Lord only knows why they put longer stems on entry level bikes because IMO a longer stem does very little to aid in your climb and makes the bike sketchy on the DH by getting your weight too far forward over the front wheel. You're much more proned to go over the bars with a long stem. That's why you'll see the riders with long stems in a crouched superman positiongoing down hill when a the guy with the shorter stem is basically neutral or just leaning back.
Click to expand...
That's interesting. Although your argument seems valid, at least for me, I haven't OTB'd yet in 8 months as a beginner, and part of it may have to do with moving my butt back on steeper descents. But I ride mostly fire roads with occasional ST. So do these highend bikes typically have shorter or longer stems?
 
verdugist said:
So do these highend bikes typically have shorter or longer stems?
Click to expand...
This thread is so far derailed.
It depends on the type of bike. A XC bike will have a longer stem because XC races are won or lost on the climb. A Trail, Enduro, AM and DH bike will have shorter stems for handling. So in other words, it has nothing to do with how "high end" the bike is. It has to do with your riding discipline.
 
Ok fine. Re-railing. So I think the instructions for the Mallet DH's recommended setting cleat position on shoe such that the ball of your foot is above the pedal axle and that's what I attempted. That mountain bike james and a bike fitter are claiming this may not be the best way. But I'd imagine it depends on the foot/person.

references:

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/
http://www.bikejames.com/strength/d...through-the-ball-of-your-foot-when-you-pedal/

And generally, is it more common/comfortable to stand climb with flats or clips? I have a feeling this is a stupid/invalid question potentially b/c the tour de france guys were doing both with clips....
 
knucklebuster said:
Huh? dropper post? o_O
Click to expand...
Even with a dropper post or your saddle slammed, if your bike is sized so that your hips are lower than your hands, you may have some trouble getting maximum performance from your bike, yes? When you put your saddle up into trail riding or climbing position, you will have a lot of weight on your butt...

The opposite of that of course is riding a tiny bike that is too short in both directions (stack and reach). That's probably what I look like...
 
Agreed, stack height effects attack position and ability to weight the front (stack too high, harder to weight front, like me on the 29ers I've tried). Saddle height (extended) relative to bars affects climbing and anatomy issues while seated, some like bars lower, others higher. But geo is way more complicated and far reaching than just those two things (shrug and cheers emoticon):thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top