"Recruiting your Calves"
Discussion
Shave your legs and rub baby oil into your calves to make them glisten. Then, when standing at the counter at the coffee stop, stand on your tip toes slightly to make them tense. I can assure you that the ladies will be swooning and commenting to each other "wow, that mans calves are breathtaking"...
http://www.personalbikefit.com/wp-content/uploads/...
Possibly stuff you already know but worth a read.
Possibly stuff you already know but worth a read.
I've got fairly chunky calves, but don't notice them coming under pressure either. Like Diz, it's always my glutes and quads that take the hit.
Where I'm different to Diz though is that I always make a concerted effort to ride with my heels down, as I don't really trust in my muscle memory to pick the right pedaling style for the type of bike I'm on, and heels down on a mountain bike will always, to my mind, be infinitely more important than toes down on a road bike.
Out if interest, what actual difference does it make for the average leisure/commuting cyclist?
Where I'm different to Diz though is that I always make a concerted effort to ride with my heels down, as I don't really trust in my muscle memory to pick the right pedaling style for the type of bike I'm on, and heels down on a mountain bike will always, to my mind, be infinitely more important than toes down on a road bike.
Out if interest, what actual difference does it make for the average leisure/commuting cyclist?
Calves do nothing much more than to stabilise as you push down with the far bigger and more powerful muscles in your thighs, Alberto Contador doesn't have big calves, Andre Griepel does, it makes little odds in terms of what they look or feel like, but you should just spend the money on a bike fit as clearly your position doesn't sound ideal from this and other threads, but of course about 5 people have told you this already.
Everyone pedals differently some heel down and some toes down. I wouldn't bother trying to change anything just pedal how you feel comfortable (as long as your saddle height/setback is correct).
Calves aren't used greatly during the pedal stroke they are mainly used to stabilize the ankle. Plenty of pro's with tiny calves.
Calves aren't used greatly during the pedal stroke they are mainly used to stabilize the ankle. Plenty of pro's with tiny calves.
anonymous said:
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Incredibly comfortable yet had neck and back ache after a ride? No, as you have found out to your peril, not doing the job properly results in issues, buy cheap buy twice, and I certainly think bike fits are in that camp, get a good one from someone who knows what they're doing, not some bloke trying to flog you a bike he can't sell.
okgo said:
AndrewEH1 said:
I'm guessing you're clipped in?
Maybe try moving your cleats forward on the sole of your shoes to help bring the heel down?
Just thinking about this, would it not be bring it back more so its nearer the ball rather than the toe?Maybe try moving your cleats forward on the sole of your shoes to help bring the heel down?
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/fitness/bike-fit/cl...
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Put it this way - if you get a fit and he says "My my, Mr Dizzee, you are indeed lucky, for you have found the optimum position for your physique, seemingly by chance." Then you've wasted £200, but at least you've got verification that you're sitting right.On the other hand, there's a strong chance he'll make you even more comfortable still. And that's worth a £200 gamble I'd say.
I tend to pedal toe down unless climbing when my heel flattens out, it's comfortable for me and I feel gives a fluid pedal stroke. I ride with guy's who have calves the size of a joint of ham but are not particularly powerful and have a pedal stroke like a a drunk giraffe kicking a football - calve size is down to genetics I guess!
I ride a reasonable amount and don't have huge legs but am not worried about it, they are relatively defined with no fat - most importantly I can hold my own with my peers!
I wouldn't worry about them unless they are causing you an issue of some sort, as okgo said the upper legs do the work!
Have to agree with everyone on getting a bike fit. I had a 'free one' when I bought a bike a few years back which put me in my 'fit window', but paid for a comprehensive fit in Jan this year. Although the initial fit was close, it wasn't 100% (saddle too far back, seat a couple of cms too high etc), the difference once the new fit was applied to the bike(s) was night and day. I also had a video analysis of my pedal stroke which highlighted the need for arch support insoles as my knees were buckling inwards on a hard effort pedal stroke.
If you are interested I am happy to ping you the details of the guy I used, he is mobile and has a full rig setup in the back of a van with a Watt-bike, video equipment, and saddle pressure mapping device.
I ride a reasonable amount and don't have huge legs but am not worried about it, they are relatively defined with no fat - most importantly I can hold my own with my peers!
I wouldn't worry about them unless they are causing you an issue of some sort, as okgo said the upper legs do the work!
Have to agree with everyone on getting a bike fit. I had a 'free one' when I bought a bike a few years back which put me in my 'fit window', but paid for a comprehensive fit in Jan this year. Although the initial fit was close, it wasn't 100% (saddle too far back, seat a couple of cms too high etc), the difference once the new fit was applied to the bike(s) was night and day. I also had a video analysis of my pedal stroke which highlighted the need for arch support insoles as my knees were buckling inwards on a hard effort pedal stroke.
If you are interested I am happy to ping you the details of the guy I used, he is mobile and has a full rig setup in the back of a van with a Watt-bike, video equipment, and saddle pressure mapping device.
I have seen some amazingly rancorous arguments about 'correct' pedal technique on cycling forums, from which I learned to not worry about it (not that I was anyway). You cycle 'toes down' and don't have big calves, I cycle 'toes down' and do have pretty big calves. Chris Froome has very skinny calves but is far better than both of us, Peter Sagan has big calves and is far better than both of us. If you are comfortable then just carry on.
Why don't you pop down to http://www.boutiquecycles.co.uk/ and speak to Dave.
He charges a £50 for about a 2-3 hour fit on your own bike and gives good advice on what he finds.
Starts from your cleats and works his way up.
He has done plenty of fits over the years and set bikes up for numerous people racing and doing across the USA ultra endurance stuff.
I was happy with what he did and that included return visits to tweak stuff.
They are just outside Hartley Wintney.
He charges a £50 for about a 2-3 hour fit on your own bike and gives good advice on what he finds.
Starts from your cleats and works his way up.
He has done plenty of fits over the years and set bikes up for numerous people racing and doing across the USA ultra endurance stuff.
I was happy with what he did and that included return visits to tweak stuff.
They are just outside Hartley Wintney.
Edited by ALawson on Friday 7th August 13:38
timnoyce said:
Shave your legs and rub baby oil into your calves to make them glisten. Then, when standing at the counter at the coffee stop, stand on your tip toes slightly to make them tense. I can assure you that the ladies will be swooning and commenting to each other "wow, that mans calves are breathtaking"...
Best be careful with that. With some "breathtaking" deep section carbon wheels, he'd be drowning in clunge.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff