I ride in city traffic and had always hooked boot heels to the pegs. I've been trying balls-of-feet on pegs this week. It's interesting how a posture tweak makes such a big difference in riding feel. At first I felt more tucked and sporty and didn't like it. Then I took some S-turns. Wow. Riding through turns feels a lot more harmonious. Squeezing the tank with my legs and consciously engaging core muscles does take tje load off my arms, as Jim says. (May be why he calls the bars hand rests.) I've cycled this way for years. With SPD cleats, it's the ball of the foot, not the arch, contacting the pedal.Begin by having the balls of your feet resting on your foot pegs. … your legs will become more engaged and better serve as shock absorbers and help you lean into curves as you ride along. Your legs will help you sit lightly in your saddle. Instead of ever gripping your hand rest, grip your thighs and knees to the gas tank. Using your core muscles, sit up straight and lean forward slightly. Make sure your elbows are bent.
On straight roads, the benefit of ball-of-foot on peg isn't as apparent. It takes longer to shift, and that extra half-second in traffic makes me nervous.
I get the sense Jim has a lot of tips like this, but his classes aren't cheap. If anyone in the D.C. area is interested in attending one of his workshops, please send a message. He offers group discounts.
position is that you will save your boot toes when you get leaned way over. Besides, as you have discovered, it gives a much better feel when riding in a sporty manner, and you can slide around on the seat to set up curves if you want to try that action. A benefit of this is that your arms are more relaxed and loose and control feel is much better in the twisties.
Maybe if I lost my fat arss the bike would run even faster.??? I'm goin' on a diet!
