Cycling UK Forum

I've been cycling on and off for 40 odd years and have, in the last couple of years, decided to significantly up my training and performance.

There's something I'm sure I've read or heard about before, but never treally tried and I'd like to know if anyone else has encountered this and whether there is any explanation for it, scientific or otherwise.

When climbing, if you want a real boost of power, draw your knees together as you pedal. I've been trying it for the last week or two and it is really making a difference.

Any thoughts/comments?

I guess it depends on where your knees were prior to drawing them together. I suspect from what I have seen from my fellow riders that most of us are already naturally in that position.

I ran off and got my dictionary to be sure I'd not been misusing the word "akimbo" wrongly for most of my life. Legs akimbo sounds a bit naughty to me, and I've only ever heard "arms akimbo." Although it looks like a word borrowed from somewhere in Africa by colonialists, it has an OE etymology.

All that's nothing to do with pedalling but I find its best without my knees waggling sideways in either direction Is this issue anything to do with correct saddle height?

Having watched riding styles of many riders, there seem to be two sorts. Those with their knees splayed outwards, or those with their knees "stroking the cross bar".
I'm in the latter camp.

I also feel - though I have no proof - that inexperienced low mileage riders tend to have their knees too far out. It's only when they become experienced (and efficient) and on the correct bike correctly positioned for them that the knees come in to make a straight profile.

There are exceptions though!

You would need to repeat this on several occasions on the same climb accurately timed - knees in / knees out
I suggest getting your club mates to act as timers and observers - it's the sort of thing that brightens the off season.

I think that for some riders the camber angle of the shoe sole (or shoe on pedal) is all wrong and this helps to push the knees outwards.

I daresay there are both biomechanical arguments (e.g. for having your shins vertical) and aero arguments, both of which favour having knees closer to the crossbar. Not sure if there is good test data out there to back it up though.

cheers

Legs a'kimbo was a common phrsae where I grew up (Nottingham). It usually meant being all over the place, usually as a result of hitting the deck. Although I admit that in my juvenile innocence, I may have misinterpreted it from meaning something entirely different.

I just thought it was a theatre company in 'League of Gentlemen'...

kwackers wrote:I just thought it was a theatre company in 'League of Gentlemen'...

Me too which is why I sniggered a lot at the thread name!

I always thought that legs akimbo meant legs crossed. Bit difficult to cycle like that.

kwackers wrote:I just thought it was a theatre company in 'League of Gentlemen'...

Just googled. My post reveals my ignorance but confirms my assertion that I rarely watch the telly

thirdcrank wrote:

kwackers wrote:I just thought it was a theatre company in 'League of Gentlemen'...

Just googled. My post reveals my ignorance but confirms my assertion that I rarely watch the telly

I think it's probably a bit too close to the bone to be funny for a Yorkshireman...

Akimbo is spread outwards, as I always thought, and confirmed in looking at a dictionary, but with the addition of them being bent, that I was not aware of.

Who is Legs A'Kimbo?

He married Betty Swollocks.

No. Betty Swollocks married a Policeman. PC Grenis.

The Reverand Spooner conducted the service. After the speeches, he commented the Best Man was a shining wit.

ChrisPAmbulance wrote:Legs a'kimbo was a common phrase where I grew up (Nottingham). It usually meant being all over the place, usually as a result of hitting the deck..

+1

I remember hearing this when we used to visit the relations in Long Eaton and Birmingham.