They pedal going downhill on their light carbon bikes

[Deleted member 1258]

I usually pedal down hill, but most of the time I'm on my fixed and have to

 

[BEHMOTH66]

Heavy things don't fall any faster than light things.

but they do build momentum faster and then reach maximum velocity.

 

[Globalti]

Actually I pedal down hills because I enjoy going fast down hills. What's wrong with that?

 

[Accy cyclist]

I don't stop pedaling altogether going downhill but i like to have quite a few seconds off to let my legs have a bit of rest before we reach the next tortures hill.

 

[Dogtrousers]

A few weeks ago I was out riding with a friend who is a competitive duathelte (duathlonist? he does those running and cycling things). He wasn't going flat out (otherwise I'd never have seen him after the start) but he was going hard enough to make me put in more effort than usual. What I really struck me was that he maintains a continuous effort, even on downhills (until he spins out or safety becomes an issue).

So: I'd manage to keep him in sight going up a hill, puffing and blowing like crazy. I get to the downhill on the other side, expecting a freewheel and a rest and no - he's blooming well pedalling going down the other side too!

I don't think the weight of the bike is relevant, apart from when going uphill. But that's another story.

 

[Justinslow]

Coasting down one of my favourite hills (in aero tuck) - 52 mph.
Pedalling down it - no effect because I can't spin fast enough to engage the freehub!

Fair play!

 

[Moodyman]

I pedal to help keep the legs warm. Also, the bike feels more stable (when pedalling) down a fast hill.

 

[ianrauk]

I pedal downhill because I like it.

 

[winjim]

Yes they do, unless those things are in a vacuum and that sort of environment isn't great for cycling.

You're right of course. Tyre pressures would be a nightmare.

 

[Sbudge]

I think whether you pedal or not (I prefer to) there's certainly big differences in rolling resistance/aero between bikes/riders. I've noticed since changing wheels recently that I need to pedal less to achieve the same speed on a given hill...though more often I just go faster for the same effort.

 

[Spinney]

I thought the OP was questioning why he (not pedalling) was going faster than them (pedalling) - such that he had to brake to avoid hitting them, when he assumed the weight difference wasn't enough to have that much of an effect.

 

[totallyfixed]

I pedal downhill because I have to. Seriously though, make a habit of spinning your legs as quickly as possible and it will have an effect on how smooth your pedalling becomes.

 

[Tim Hall]

You're right of course. Tyre pressures would be a nightmare.

Only 14.7psi difference, so not too bad. (See also airlines insistence on deflating bike tyres before you fly).

 

[tyred]

You can get bikes with freewheels It'll never catch on!

 

[Tim Hall]

I thought the OP was questioning why he (not pedalling) was going faster than them (pedalling) - such that he had to brake to avoid hitting them, when he assumed the weight difference wasn't enough to have that much of an effect.

This. I tend to freewheel quicker than most of my friends. I putthis down to having a better maintained bike, with silky smooth bearings, and nothing at all to do with a high Beer and Pies factor.