feet flat or tiptoes when riding a bicycle?

Question

10 points for the best answer to stop an argument.
I say that when riding a bicycle your feet should be able to be flat on the ground when you stop, my partner says only tip toes is necessary.
Who is correct?

Answer 1

Neither is correct. And all answers from the kids above are wrong as well. The few last answers by cyclists are right.



You should not be able to touch the ground when stopped on a bike while sitting on the saddle. You get OFF your saddle and stand over the top bar of the bike when stopped.



Your saddle should be high enough so you have only a slight bend to your knee at the bottom of your pedal stroke. You will be more comfortable (when used to it) and you will be able to ride much farther and faster. It will also prevent knee pain that many have because their saddle is so low.



Try this: walk across a large room. Now bend at your knees and squat half way down (duck walking) and walk across the room. As you will note walking with your knees bent is very hard - right? Same goes for riding a bike.



The girl who fell when the saddle was high simply is a beginner and was liklely mountian biking for the 1st time.

I've ridden 10,000s of miles and have NEVER fallen because my saddle was too high.



So while you should not be able to even tiptoe while not leaning over on a bike while stopped it's closer to the truth than being flatfooted.



You lose.

Answer 2

Bike set up 101.



Use a wall for support. Sit in the saddle and rotate your crank. Your heal should be flat against the peddle. Adjust the saddle height until your leg is fully extended. This means that your leg, when you are riding on the ball of your foot, should not be fully extended, but have some flex. This is the most efficient length for peddling.



If you look at different bikes, they have different ground clearance. So one bike might be quite high and so, with your feet firmly planted on the ground, when you start peddling you will find that your knees are being worn as ear rings. A bike low to the ground, you will find that your leg is straighter. The important measurement is when you are peddling. You want your legs to be working as efficiently as possible.



Note: Stand over your bike, off of the saddle. You should have about 2 - 4 inches of clearance from the frame. If you do not have this and your seat is at the lowest point, having done the above adjustments, your frame is too big.



Further adjustments. You may need to rotate your brake levers so that they are comfortable. If you are setting up a road bike, make sure your saddle is level. If a mountain bike, tilt it forward by a few degrees (This allows you to get out of and back into your saddle without snagging your shorts.).



So to answer your question within the peramiters set, your boy friend is closer to the ideal.



Luck

Answer 3

To set a cycle saddle height correctly (and most people don’t know how to do this- or realise a bicycle should be fitted to your particular size as well as for use) the leg should, at the bottom of the stroke be almost but not quite straight- a slight bend at the knee. This gives maximum power, most efficient muscle use and least strain caused by the knee being excessively bent. It can also cause knee strain, which you don’t want!

Having said all this apparently non-related stuff, it stands to reason that if the saddle height is so configured, then one will be unable to put both feet flat on the floor when seated and stopped.

As for legal implications, the law will vary according to your country or place of residence. While not being an expert, I will give my opinion based on my place of residence, the UK. As far as I am aware there are no specified legal requirements regarding saddle height or ability to contact the floor in a particular manner when stationary. However, I would hazard a reasonable educated guess that there would be a requirement to be road safe and able to control the machine in all normal circumstances. For example, a 12 year old, 5 feet tall on a full sized 28” frame would in all likelihood be deemed unable to maintain adequate control.

As with most circumstances where no statute law exists, common sense is the rule of thumb. Don’t ride it if you aren’t capable of complete control!

Answer 4

If both your feet can rest completely flat while you're sitting in the saddle, your seats are definitely too low unless you have Electra bikes with the flat foot design (see URL)



Typically you should only barely able to tip toe when still seated; though this is not a definite way to tell you if the seatpost is at the right height. For some people including myself I can't even tiptoe both feet while seated, I would have to lean to one side or the other.

Answer 5

Sorry but most here do not know what they are talking about.



If you have the seat high enough for proper leg extension when on the saddle you will only be able to touch your toe when stopped (if still on the saddle). Your feet can be flat IF you get off the saddle.



Many riders set the seat height too low, and suffer from a cramped position that doesn't allow full power.



To get height right, sit on the seat and put the heel of your bare foot on the pedals and adjust the seat height so your leg is just straight when in that position. Check by putting your two feet on the pedals with shoes on -- with the ball of your foot (not the instep) on the pedal -- and, IF you can pedal backward without rocking your hips side to side (get a friend to watch) you are set up right. Adjust as necessary to achieve that state.

Answer 6

You should not be able to put your feet flat on the ground. If you can the saddle is way too low. You want to have a slight bend at the knee with the ball of your foot directly on the center of the pedal and straight when the heel of your foot is on the pedal. Most people have their saddle way to low. You also want to adjust the fore and aft position of the seat so that the bump just below your knee is directly over the center of the pedal when it is at the front most position.



http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit

http://www.caree.org/bike101bikefit.htm

Answer 7

Your saddle needs to be adjusted so that your leg is almost fully extended at the bottom of a pedal stroke. Ask yourself this: when you are riding do you spend more time stopped, or moving? If you spend your time stopped, by all means, adjust your saddle so that you can put your feet flat on the ground. If you prefer riding, that position will make it much harder to turn the pedals. Adjust the saddle for riding, when you stop, slide forward off the saddle, and put your foot flat on the ground. The saddle is to sit on when you are riding.

Answer 8

If I remain on the seat at a stop, I am on my tip toes. The only way to be flat foot at a stop is to be off the saddle. All my bicycles are correctly adjusted for me. If you are flat footed at a stop while still on the seat, the seat is too low when you are pedaling. Correct seat height is very important. A low seat height puts additional stress on your knees and does not utilize your legs muscles well. Your legs fatigue faster, thus reducing the time you ride and reducing the enjoyment your bicycle.

Answer 9

I ride mine on the sidewalk. I think they would have a reason to stop the person is riding fast and pushing pedestrians off of the sidewalk, but otherwise I don't believe they can arrest them. I always give people the right away, but legally a bike is halfway between a vehicle and pedestrian as far as I know.

Answer 10

Settle the argument with a track stand.







Who really cares how you touch the ground? Stopping should only be momentary or get off the bike for rest stops.

Answer 11

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Answer 12

When your bike is properly fitted to you, your foot will not be able to rest on the ground flat-footed. Having the seat that low can lead to knee pain. When the seatpost is properly adjusted your leg is only slightly bent when the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke, the ball of your foot above the pedal's shaft.



HTH

Answer 13

On most bikes, tip-toes is best.

That way you achieve a good spinning motion without putting excess pressure on your joints. Also, it's best to ride with the ball of the foot on the pedal. When it comes to stopping a bike - as you to come to a stop, move your body weight to the front a bit & let the one foot make contact with the ground. It's quite safe, with a little bit of practise.



The exception is cruisers, like the electra townie, which has a flat-foot design, which allows for the stopping of a bike with feet making full contact with the ground.

Answer 14

Host a party—the cleaning and prep work help keep you off the couch.

Answer 15

You're both wrong. What counts is your pedal stroke. You leg should be just slightly bent at the 6 o'clock down-stroke.How your feet touch the ground will vary from bike to bike.

Answer 16

You're not supposed to be able to reach the floor with your whole foot when sitting on the seat (this was news to me too! I recently went 'mountain' biking & they fit you so the saddle is at exactly the right height).



You're meant to come forward & off the seat once you stop/about to stop.



I can't say it's that safe though (i hit a tree stump going down hill quite fast, i probably could have steadied myself if i could touch the floor... but alas, i couldn't & crashed headfirst into a bramble bush).

Answer 17

I had a bike wen i could only do tiptoes, but if something happens and you need to put your feet down to stop - then tiptoes really isn't enough. I learned the hard way and was just Lucky I was wearin a helmet!



So yea, flat feet is best!



EDIT: Whats crap bag on bout? lol!

Answer 18

Put people on speakerphone and pace your working environment during conference calls.

Answer 19

Plan active dates with your hubby, such as bowling or even golfing, instead of dinner and also a movie.

Answer 20

Host a party—the cleaning and prep work can keep you off the couch.

Answer 21

Paint your own toe-nails rather then sitting for a pedicure.

Answer 22

Flat foot for the straights and your toes big hills. Sorry I read the question wrongly. When you stop you tiptoes should be enough to maintain balance.

Answer 23

When you buy a bike in places like Halfords or other bike shops they measure whether a bike fits by checking you stand on tip toes so your partner is correct

Answer 24

when u are at a complete stop you should be flat footed otherwise the bike is prolly to big for ur size. but usually when you are slowing down you use ur tiptoes so u dont break ur ankle!!! hope u win the argument with this answer!!

Answer 25

I use tiptoes. Mainly because I'm short and I can barely reach the ground when sitting on my bike.

Answer 26

Go to the museum or art gallery.

Answer 27

i think it would be flat feet...



i'm not quite sure wether your feet should be pointed when you're riding a bike..lol that would hurt...



when you get off the bike...tip toes would be quite uncomfortable...especailly when you've been riding for long time...



flat feet ^_^

Answer 28

Both of you are right; you're just dealing with a matter of opinion and what you like. Personally, I think that flat footed is better because it is safer. When you stop, you will have a better stance so that you won't fall over.

Answer 29

Any..doesn't really matter.



Depends if you can reach really too, flat on the ground if you want to be more stable and less chance of falling over.

Answer 30

only tip toes i'm afraid, so your partner is correct.

Answer 31

Whatever is comfortable to the rider.