Bouncing in my seat

I know there is a simple answer to this question but why especially at speed would I bounce on my seat whilst pedaling? I'm riding 16/42

i maybe wrong but it could be your saddle is too high...when your peddle is at the bottom of the stroke you leg should be slightly bent.

Spinning too much?

Until you develop souplesse, your upstroke is going to be a bit sloppy. Because the pedal is moving from 6 to 12 o' clock more quickly than your neuromuscular transmitters are used to coping with, it's pushing your legs up, and therefore your behind off the seat a bit.

With practice and a bit of discipline you'll smooth it out. Concentrate on unweighting your feet a bit on the upstroke and sort of throwing your knees up and over the bars, if you see what I mean. Pointing the toes a tiny bit can help some people, or at least imagining that you are.

I assume you're riding 42/16. If you're riding 16/42, then Ved's right ;)

you aren't pedaling smoothly...it happened to me when i started riding fixed, and still happens occasionally, coming down steep hills. you'll find if you concentrate on spinning a little faster and smoother, your legs won't make your hips bounce up.

BMMF, you blow my mind :P

What BMMF said.

It's just practice, I used to bounce like crazy on the way to work going downhill. Now I don't.

Yeh it's worse with a lower gear. It's also not great on a brand new Brooks!

:-/

I still feel either slow or bouncy descending hills fixed.

BMMF, you blow my mind :P

I assume you're riding 42/16. If you're riding 16/42, then Ved's right ;)

:) Glad to be of assistance!

BMMF - you're so fine!

Pointing the toes a tiny bit can help some people. . .

Up, down, in, out ?

(no 'hokey cokey' jokes please, serious question)

Down a little - it effectively 'shortens the crank' at the bottom of the stroke, and therefore minimises the range of movement your legs have to move through. Only done subtley though, unless you're physiologically predisposed to it like Jacques Anquetil.

Your foot would probably level off naturally towards the top of the stroke. At more typical time-triallist cadences (eg 75-90rpm) riders will even dip the heel a bit around the 12 o' clock mark, which again shortens range of movement at top, and gets a bit of extra power.

This is what people are going on about (for those that don't know) when they talk about 'ankling'.

(FUCK, how many times am I going to edit this post?)

Word of warning: major changes to pedalling style - if undertaken in a hurry - can cause injury.

Cheers, understood.

saddle too high....it's one thing that really winds me up...a bit like Bill and tennis socks...it's amazing how many people ride with too-high saddles.

Not as many as ride with them too low.

Im riding 42/16 but it does feel like im spinning to fast on flats.

TOO MUCH POWER! (conan)

your back wheel hub could be out of centre on the rim.

Well I'm getting a new back wheel tomorrow so that may fix it!

No it won't.

ok.

what is that cheerleader about BMMF? i cannot fathom it.

Down a little - it effectively 'shortens the crank' at the bottom of the stroke, and therefore minimises the range of movement your legs have to move through. Only done subtley though, unless you're physiologically predisposed to it like Jacques Anquetil.

Your foot would probably level off naturally towards the top of the stroke. At more typical time-triallist cadences (eg 75-90rpm) riders will even dip the heel a bit around the 12 o' clock mark, which again shortens range of movement at top, and gets a bit of extra power.

This is what people are going on about (for those that don't know) when they talk about 'ankling'.

(FUCK, how many times am I going to edit this post?)

Word of warning: major changes to pedalling style - if undertaken in a hurry - can cause injury.

• rep points. I assumed everyone did this but thinking about it, that was a daft assumption.
  

what is that cheerleader about BMMF? i cannot fathom it.

Big Daddy Wayne's on the case:

"Hey Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, hey Mickey... hey Mickey!"