3 Tips To Improve Your Pedaling : Climb Smarter Not Harder

Last week we posted a video about climbing up technical ledges. During the filming process I helped April with some coaching on Pedal stroke, Cadence, and Seat Height which seemed to really help her climbing but it ended up being just a little too long to add to the video. We decided to take a little extra time with those lessons and roll that section up into its own video to share with you. We really hope this can help you pedal smarter and improve your ride!

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Kyle & April

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0:00 Intro
0:14 Powerstroke / Heel Angle
1:54 Scrape The Mud
3:11 Seat Height
4:28 Gear Selection
5:14 Too Easy 100+ RPM
5:53 Too Hard 40-60 RPM
6:41 Just Right 80-90 RPM
7:13 Outro

[stevedesantolo]

Holly Thanks for the great tip with regard to foot position and "mud removal"! Tried it out on a ride this morning and it was super helpful. Much improved steep climb to steeper climb results. Awesome tip, K&A!

[AprilRideMTB]

Thank you all so much for the support on last weeks climbing video! This was actually a section we filmed during that ledge day and we decided to spend a little extra time on it and make it a separate video. We hope these tips help you out a bit! Let us know if you have any questions!

[Nullking_]

Someone is finally talking about pedal sweeping on flat pedals. It helps a lot on climbing. And not just putting all the effort in your quads, by using your hamstrings as well.

[martinschwartz]

Kyle. What I really like about your instructional videos is the attention to detail you impart upon your audience for every new move you teach about. Your skill as a mountain biker can only be topped by your niceness as a human being.
April. You are the whip cream on the cake. Without you these lessons would not be any where near as good. As good as Kyle's explanations are, it makes it so much better to watch you actually going through the moves. First you will show the wrong way to do something and then the right way. It makes it so much easier for me, the viewer, to learn.
April, you are the reason that I have gained weight during the past few years of watching your channel. You are so sweet that after watching your videos I have to reach for a candy bar.

[redleo]

Simple adjustments can make life easier and ridng more enjoyable. Love the advice and the demonstration. Gratitude!

[kump]

I iust watched your last video with my wife. Shes not the she enjoys your videos! I just got back into biking after 9yrs and your Videos help for UP THE GREAT WORK

[marktechsci]

I was taught by Trainer Road to “kick” across the top, drag across the bottom like the mud scraping, and to unweight the non working leg on the way up.

When you do it right you should feel your weight on the saddle and your feet should spin freely in circles. I only get this when I focus on it.

Good stuff, thanks!

[gnmatsu]

Kyle, April. Another great video. Great information on the heal position and the power stroke.. About putting down the power smoothly and not so up-down hard pulsing.

And yes, dropped the saddle a slight amount really helps (I've found) on steeps because often I need to slide forward a little to keep the balance. This means the distance from the saddle to the crank centerline has increased. Dropping the saddle compensates a bit.

And yes. Being in the right gear helps. Awesome stuff you guys.

[carlosrc]

The best video that explains pedal cadence. No BS. No fluff. Clear explanation. SUBBED!

[eudaenomic]

I am an older man and recently took up cycling again. Though I had been riding touring and road bikes, I have switched to an mtb. Your videos have helped me tremendously.

[davet]

I love your videos because you guys always NAIL the details!!! Thanks for the good advice on a topic everyone glosses over.

[bennuendo]

Thanks for the great tips! I used this technique on a technical climb over the weekend and was able to get a PR. I found the concept of "scraping the mud" very helpful.

[melwestlake]

I can attest to the too low of a gear and spinning up like a hamster on wheel or too high and stall out! I need to be more mindful of the climbing gear. Sometimes though the trail changes so fast it's hard to get the perfect gear. You gave me something else to shoot for. Great tips!

[echobenav]

Never thought too much about foot angle before but this makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing!

[yvenwehman]

Great video! I did actually accidentally figured this out myself while mountain biking a week ago. I saw some riders with clipless pedals and tought to myself: it’s way more efficient to be able to pull in the awkward positions. Just to find out you can with flat pedals.

[aka]

Hey you two, I got started on mountain biking watching your videos a few years ago and now I'm 72 and still klicking and still watching and learning.thank you

[matthewbrady]

Your channel is my new favorite go to for MTB tips. This was awesome. Ankles down and scraping mud are dynamite and easy to remember and focus on. I remember an equestrian friend would always say hands and heels, about keeping heels down. Also, awesome to see a Fezzari, I just purchased a King's Peak from them and they are dynamite at customer service!

[WesMacaulay]

I was gonna say - this dovetails perfectly into your previous video 😂 …but it’s just a removed segment. I’m looking forward to using the content from both in future rides 😎

[ejsrandomadventures]

Great tips! Power stroke section reminds me of my high school marching band days, we were taught to "roll your heels" for smooth marching, and the movement looks exactly how you described pedaling (without pedals). Looks goofy while walking, but really makes for smooth movement, and I've been able to apply the same technique for pedaling.

[TheLeesto]

Thanks for this. I just bought an Enduro bike not known for great peddling and I’m going to get some pre-bike park practice on it tomorrow by riding it around on a local trail. I’m gonna try and use all of these tips on the trail