Do Pros Really Pedal More Smoothly? | GCN Does Science

We often think that smoother pedalling technique is better - but is it really? We investigate, with the help of some UAE Emirates pro cyclists, and some not-so-pro riders too.

Subscribe to GCN: http://gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Register your interest in the GCN Club: http://gcn.eu/uJ
Get exclusive GCN gear in the GCN shop! http://gcn.eu/uI

Pedalling technique is always a controversial subject amongst cyclist. Is smoother better? Should we try and pedal more smoothly or should we just leave it up to instinct and our bodies will find the most efficient way naturally. Well, we thought we try and do a little experiment. We are at the headquarters of Elite in Northern Italy cause they have a pedalling analysis app that utilises some of the mind-boggling array of data that's generated by the top of the range Smart Trainer, the Drivo. And two top Pro Cyclist, Marco Marcato and Federico Zurlo, are just about to walk through that door. Do pros pedal smoothly? And does it really matter? We're gonna do a simple test to really get a feel for just how smoothly their pedalling and we're gonna gauge it using the Elite Pedalling Analysis App. It gives us a real-time polar view which you can see this behind me there. It's measuring the force that Marco's putting out. 24 times per pedal stroke. The more even output, the smoother the pedal stroke. So to start with, they're gonna be riding 150 watts. We should tacks them greatly Federico in particular is probably gonna be cursing his luck that he's in the middle of his off-season. But then they're gonna up it to 300 watts for a minute for finally 450 watts for a minute. The end of each interval we're gonna get a number which is the uniformity index and that should categorically show just how smooth they really are. Marco, you ready?

- Yes, I'm ready.

- Let's go.

- Smooth, I think. Smooth! Federico, you ready?

- Yes.

- You ready, alright, so 150 watts for one minute, let's go for it. I feel like a mad scientist down here making them run at 450 watts. Now before we delve to D.P. end results as you could probably tell I can't resist and I'm gonna have a go as well. Clearly I don't have the talent of the other two, but potentially there is a chance that I might be as smooth as the other two, fingers crossed. Who's gonna win the Crystal Crank trophy?

If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link 👍 http://gcn.eu/uG

Watch more on GCN...
Pedalling and Cadence 📹 http://gcn.eu/uH
Elite Factory Tour 📹 http://gcn.eu/Elite

Photos: © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com

Music:
Short LIfe 3 - Niklas Gustavsson
Rotations 2 - Jack Elphick
Pink and Blue - Niklas Ahlstrom
We are legends 1 - Rannar Sillard
Everything Must End (Summer Hips Remix Version) - Sture Zetterberg

About GCN:

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Thanks to our sponsors:

Alta Badia: http://gcn.eu/AltaBadia- // Maratona Dles Dolomites: http://gcn.eu/MaratonaDlesDolomites-
Assos of Switzerland: http://gcn.eu/Assos
KASK helmets: http://gcn.eu/KASK
fi’zi:k shoes and saddles: http://gcn.eu/fizikshoes and http://gcn.eu/fiziksaddles
Topeak tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon
Quarq: http://gcn.eu/Quarq
DT Swiss: http://gcn.eu/DtSwiss
Science in Sport: http://gcn.eu/SiS
Orbea bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea
Trek Bicycles: http://gcn.eu/-Trek
Vision wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision
Zipp wheels: http://gcn.eu/Zipp
power2max: http://gcn.eu/power2max
Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool
Continental tyres: http://gcn.eu/continental-
Camelbak: http://gcn.eu/camelbak-

The GCN Club - http://gcn.eu/club
YouTube Channel - http://gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - http://gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram - http://gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Google+ - http://gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - http://gcn.eu/gcnTW

Leave us a comment below!