Here's a nice chart of the muscles recruited for the different phases of the stroke.
http://53x11.com/
It's pretty clear where the power comes from. I've always been a proponent of the "get the other leg out of the way theory" but not so much the "pull up" contributing any real power. BiciSport magazine published stress gauge maps of most of the top Italian pro riders a few years back. There wasn't a single rider who generated a single watt of "upstroke". The best riders started the down pressure early in the stroke, and swept back closest to bottom. The rest of the stroke was negative pressure.... as was already stated, "souplesse" is about timing at high cadence.
Grant McLean Toronto, Canada
From: "ternst" <ternst1(AT)cox.net> Subject: Re: [CR]Re: pedaling circles -- myth Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 20:49:07 -0700
Hello to all my leg fetish friends!
I have been enjoying the pedalling posts immensly.
All the good stuff, not old wive's tales or propellor head knowledge is
starting to come out, so I won't have to go on an epistle binge.
For all of you doubtsmyths out three, I'll throw this out that hasn't
been
mentioned specifically.
Put on your clips and straps or off topic silenced click ins.
If you don't ride with these it won't work, and doesn't make any diff,
because it's like comparing apples and oranges.
If you think pedalling circles and up pull has no effect? Guess again.
Here's the drill to show you how out of reality your reasoning is.
Get on your bikes, get into pedals, note I said into, not on.
Find a nice level stretch over say a half mile long.
Now start pedalling and NO DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON PEDALS WHATSOEVER!
ONLY PULL UP!!
After a few blocks of riding in a regular ratio/gear say 72/82" what
do your
leg muscles tell you?
Now you will begin to find out what the riders mean by pedalling
round and
from hip circles (bonus tip) and what kind of cycling condition you
have and
how complete you are.
If it's of no interest to you to improve yourslves and get better, then
please don't comment on the heart of serious cycling techniques that
have
been proven by over a hundred years of riding experience and passed
along
for generations by the best coaches.
It's great to honor Merckx, Coppi, Herse, Masi, Hinault, etc., but if
you
are restoring their bikes to a gnat's ass, it might be nice to try to
ride
them with the same degree of efficiency and expertise even though not as
fast.
It's the least we can do to honor their memories.
It just won't do old chaps, to look like a super pro and ride like a
dillitant.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA