cycle shoes 'push and pull' ????

wersal gummage

ok well i've asked a few newbie questions here before and you've all been patient so hoping for more of the same!

ok i've started wearing cycle shoes, SPD fit sidis. the shoes fit me really well (they are my first pair of cycling shoes and when i say they fit me really well i mean in the way that ordinary shoes or runners would fit really well).

i'd read about cycling shoes allowing me to push and pull at the same time when pedaling. however, i find when i try to 'pull' that my foot has a lot of vertical give within the shoe - its like there's a couple of MMs within the shoe and when i 'pull' up on the pedal there's a distinct pull within the shoe before i start to pull the pedal - i've tried tightening the shoe more but this makes no difference.

i'm just wondering - is this normal ? it defo doesn't feel right. the shoes have made a big improvement over the runners i was wearing previously, and i can accelerate in bursts up to 30/35 very rapidly now - but i really notice that things dont feel ideal especially on hill climbs.

congo_90

not quite long term solution but maybe get a pair of insoles? might just add the few mm in height on the inside? if still not enough I found some cardboard and then insoles on top along with good fitment made all the difference, although still some freeplay

**Timbuk2**

This probably isn't relevant, but people don't often pull correctly.

Instead of pulling straight up, imagine yourself scraping gum/dirt of the bottom of your shoe each time you get to the bottom of the pedal stroke. It'll make sense when you actually do it, it's hard to explain.

Gavin

Do people actually do this consistently ?

copacetic

generally cycling shoes should be a bit more of a snug fit that normal shoes. Trying them on standing up isn't ideal as they may feel too tight but be perfect on the bike when your weight isn't flattening out your foot.

As noted above though a thicker insole should make them more snug.

short circuit

Gavin wrote: »

Do people actually do this consistently ?

I don't think its push-pull .... more like push - unweigh the back pedal so you don't waste any of the push energy.

And I notice it when I get tired. When fresh, I can keep this up all the time .. but when tired, I find myself resting my leg on the pedal on the upstroke ... which wastes whatever little power I am generating.

For the OP, if the shoe has straps ... keep the front 2 loose to allow space for the toes/feet to expand ... and the last one near the ankle really snug

I don't think I have ever consistently maanged to pull with power ... perhaps for a few mins on a very steep climb .. that would be about it.

tomasrojo

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

This probably isn't relevant, but people don't often pull correctly.

Instead of pulling straight up, imagine yourself scraping gum/dirt of the bottom of your shoe each time you get to the bottom of the pedal stroke. It'll make sense when you actually do it, it's hard to explain.

That's a good description of what I do. I don't do it all that often; just when I need to accelerate a bit extra without changing gear. I use BMX-styld pedals and rubber-soled shoes; I know that clipless pedals are better for it, but you can definitely do it with that combination, to a limited but useful extent.

irishmotorist

wersal gummage wrote: »

however, i find when i try to 'pull' that my foot has a lot of vertical give within the shoe - its like there's a couple of MMs within the shoe and when i 'pull' up on the pedal there's a distinct pull within the shoe before i start to pull the pedal

As mentioned above, the pull action should be largely a backwards pull and not so much vertical. The analogy of scraping mud off the shoe is a commong one and a good one too as I believe it helps you follow through the stroke better - somewhat similar to a snooker player pushing through the ball rather than just plain striking it.

I asked a similar question a few years ago here and this link was posted. It's still there and while I found it a bit complicated and I can't concentrate on that much per revolution (and 2 legs at that!) I find that some of them take care of themselves once you have the push and the mud-scrape right.
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-4-41-15647-1,00.html

Gavin wrote: »

Do people actually do this consistently ?

I certainly try to be conscious of it as much as possible. I've found my hamstring has developed noticably since paying more attention to this. My physiology isn't the best, but I imagine that because the hammer is such a big muscle, one is disadvantaging themselves by not using it fully. I'm open to correction or agreement on this though.

wersal gummage

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

This probably isn't relevant, but people don't often pull correctly.

Instead of pulling straight up, imagine yourself scraping gum/dirt of the bottom of your shoe each time you get to the bottom of the pedal stroke. It'll make sense when you actually do it, it's hard to explain.

thanks timbuk2 - that did the job alright. what a day, i was nearly home from my usual two hour spin and turned around and did it all again:)