Spinning!

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This may sound like a dumb question: what is the best way to learn how to spin? I know i have to spin more cos my legs are always dead (yeah i need to build up leg strength too i know). But yeah, whenever i spin too much, esp under load my knees hurt, as does the side of the knee sometimes of the back of calve/outermost hamstring attachment. I get this on road and mountainbike. It may be because of the saddle position on my mountainbike- it is basically as far back as it can go cos that is really the only comfortable position. I have moved my saddle from time to time and i still get the same sorta symptoms. Any ideas/help?

This may sound like a dumb question: what is the best way to learn how to spin? I know i have to spin more cos my legs are always dead (yeah i need to build up leg strength too i know). But yeah, whenever i spin too much, esp under load my knees hurt, as does the side of the knee sometimes of the back of calve/outermost hamstring attachment. I get this on road and mountainbike. It may be because of the saddle position on my mountainbike- it is basically as far back as it can go cos that is really the only comfortable position. I have moved my saddle from time to time and i still get the same sorta symptoms. Any ideas/help?
Have you tried being properly fitted to both bikes? If not, take them down to your LBS and get fitted properly! Most important!

As for learning to spin, I'm currently using my mtb, travelling on flats - very low load. I just push and push and get my legs moving as smoothly as possible and spin out. Good training, i think. There is probably more info online? Anyone have links on training???

This may sound like a dumb question: what is the best way to learn how to spin? I know i have to spin more cos my legs are always dead (yeah i need to build up leg strength too i know). But yeah, whenever i spin too much, esp under load my knees hurt, as does the side of the knee sometimes of the back of calve/outermost hamstring attachment. I get this on road and mountainbike. It may be because of the saddle position on my mountainbike- it is basically as far back as it can go cos that is really the only comfortable position. I have moved my saddle from time to time and i still get the same sorta symptoms. Any ideas/help?
Part of it may be where you're carrying your weight. I found I would get soreness in the back of my knees when my weight was too far forward (supporting too much with my arms). My spin started to develop when I flattened my back, concentrated on keeping my center of gravity as far back as possible, and really focused on smoothly applying tension to the pedals at all points during the spin. The first time it really clicked I looked down and was riding 2mph faster than my average speed into a 15 mph headwind!

Spinning does seems to take a much higher toll (soreness and fatigue) on the joints and tendons when your cadence drops too low, so expect to be geared down a little until you get the hang of it and your muscle groups adapt.

Cool, thanks for the replies. i have found that changing my cleats has helped a lot. I normally sit right back but yeah i haven't found it to an advantage until today. On the spinning note, it helps to have a good saddle...which i haven't found yet (grr). Something for wide seat bones, hard on the back soft on the nose, groove design with no cutouts...i think i am dreaming. I should start my own saddle company!

What exactly is meant by "spinning", I have searched it on here and googled it but there wasn't an answer that fits the scenario here...it is some special way of pedalling I think...if so what are the advantages of this technique and how do you do it?

I am just a novice to the whole cycling world, in the last few years since I picked up my Evox and started commuting to work I have found immense enjoyment in the whole thing...unfortunately I have not been able to infect the wife with the bug of cycling, it would be easier to pull hen's teeth! :rolleyes:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see spinning as using a relatively high cadence with a lower gear (and thus lower resistance on each pedal stroke).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see spinning as using a relatively high cadence with a lower gear (and thus lower resistance on each pedal stroke).
yeah but i would like to be able to spin at a semi decent speed :D. I do find it hard to spin in general, if i have the gears too low then i end up free wheeling cos i can't be bothered! I suppose it must be a brain adaptation as well

yeah but i would like to be able to spin at a semi decent speed :D. I do find it hard to spin in general, if i have the gears too low then i end up free wheeling cos i can't be bothered! I suppose it must be a brain adaptation as well
I don't know. I guess it's partly rider's preference, habit, etc. I usually find spinning at about 100 rpm easier overall than pushing harder at 90, maintaining roughly the same speed. I especially like spinning into headwinds or on hills. But this sometimes changes from day to day -- on some days I'll find my legs much prefer 85 rpm, but on others would much rather go at 105. They have minds of their own! :o One thing I find is that spinning a higher cadence keeps my heart rate a bit higher usually.

yeah but i would like to be able to spin at a semi decent speed :D. I do find it hard to spin in general, if i have the gears too low then i end up free wheeling cos i can't be bothered! I suppose it must be a brain adaptation as well

Well isnt the whole idea of spinning to select the gear ratio which allows you to pedal at 90-100rpm? I could be wrong, but that was my impression of spinning.

If you are freewheeling and shift down ( or up?) as much as you can to get feel some resistance, while pedalling at 100rpm.

Spinning also requires more cardio work, which is generally what i aim for when I ride. But I am cycling to lose weight, and dont race, so thats my main priority.