Bike mechanics

This evening got in a nice, shorter ride, and came to some conclusions on bike mechanics.

I've been trying to figure out why, with my flat pedals, I've been having such a tough time on the technical and/or steep ascents.

What I've determined is that do get up bigger obstacles or on steep climbs, I need to get my weight forwards to keep weight on the front tire and throw myself over bigger obstacles. Well, with the flat pedals, to provide drive, the forwards force needs to come from the rear with the pedals at least slightly angled downwards in the rear to prevent my feet from flying off forwards. Well, these two requirements (weight forwards for climbing, force back and down for pedaling) are kinda mutually exclusive, at least for my body and ankle flexibility. And so, b/c I now fear the ever present danger of pedal spikes implanting in my leg, I opt for weight back, which makes it quite nearly impossible to climb well. And, there is no way I can lift "up" on the pedals for additional drive.

I'm kind-of excited to figure this out - exactly what's been the difficulty.

I've yet to switch back to my normal pedals, mostly b/c I can tell that motion, for my ankle (I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing about it) is not yet healed. I may be forced to move back to cages. I've been reluctant b/c - A) they are klunky, B) the motion to step out of the pedals is very different from using clips (called clipless, go figure!).

Some pros to all this: I've gotten pretty good, in general, of having nothing holding my feet to the pedals. Also, I've moved to working on lots of service road climbs, since early on I couldn't handle the technical and need to suddenly step off. I've started learning the benefits of climbing roads in the fitness department, something I would rarely work on or focus on otherwise (simply b/c it's not "fun"). I'm hoping this will pay off in Bailey b/c that ride has lots of not-so-technical climbing, and it's a longer cross country race.

One more tidbit I'd thought about. Since the topic came up over the weekend on "chain suck" mtn biking, this was on my mind too (I really should move to mechanical engineering instead).

Chain suck (in my experience) typically happens when the chain is dirty and/or needs lube. The chain gets bound up in the derailleur, causing the pedal action to jam and come to a sudden stop.

Well, was thinking about this today, about exactly what is happening to cause this phenomenon.

I think this is what happens..

From going around the front cog, the chain is bent into an arc. There is a lot of force in the chain at this point causing this to occur. Well, as the chain leaves the cog, the links should unbend and travel straight towards the rear cogs. If, however, the chain is dirty or dry, this straightening does not happen immediately b/c the links aren't moving freely against each other. The links stay in the arced position for too long, traveling up on the cog and essentially the chain doubles back on itself, jamming in the derailleur. This is my theory. It's hard to watch this in action b/c it happens so fast.

End of bike tidbits!