Pedal Stomping vs. Pedaling Around the Clock: 6 Factors to Consider

You’ve been pedaling away for years, doing what you’ve always done—grinding through life, one flat pedal at a time.

And then, out of nowhere, curiosity hits. You think, “Maybe I’ve been doing this all wrong.”

So you try something new—pedaling around the clock. But that sudden change makes you feel like you’ve just discovered a whole new language.

Your legs hurt in places they’ve never hurt before, and that’s when it hits you: Have I been riding like an idiot for years?

Welcome to the world of pedal technique, where even the simplest change can unlock new power—or leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the ring with Mike Tyson.

1. The Basics: Pedal Stomping

Pedal stomping is the tried-and-true method that most of us have been indoctrinated into.

You push down, you stomp. Left, right. It’s like stomping out a fire. No finesse, no technique—just power.

It’s raw and unrefined, like the first time you ever kicked a soccer ball—chaotic, uncontrolled, but effective.

For years, I was in the camp of the stompers.

It was all about power, downforce, cadence.

Who cared about the clock, the angles, the arc of the stroke? If you’ve ever clipped into flat pedals, you know what I’m talking about.

It’s brute force. And when you’re riding outdoors, you really don’t have the time to think about much other than not crashing into a tree.

But I have to admit—it works.

2. Pedaling Around the Clock (PATC): A Different Animal

Then there’s the other world: pedaling around the clock. We’re talking about smooth, circular motion—like you’re wiping off mud from the bottom of your shoes while making dinner.

You push forward, scrape back, and lift. It’s like you’re using the pedal stroke as a full-body engagement. If you’ve ever heard someone babble about “engaging different muscles,” this is it.

They’re talking about engaging muscles you didn’t even know existed. At first, it feels awkward—unnatural even.

But after a few minutes, something starts to change.

Suddenly, your W/kg (watts per kilogram) improves, and you realize you’re doing something right.

It doesn’t feel natural, though. The muscles feel different, tense even. But there’s this undeniable increase in performance.

This is the magical world of efficiency—your body starts to find its rhythm. But will it last?

3. Can You Maintain It?

If you’ve been stomping for years, PATC can feel like you’re trying to speak French after a lifetime of only speaking English.

It takes practice. The muscles involved in PATC—your hamstrings, glutes, calves—they’re not used to this kind of coordination.

But the beauty of it is in the muscle memory. With time, the awkwardness fades.

Your legs find a groove, and suddenly, you’re not just stomping. You’re cycling in a symphony.

However, there’s a catch. It’s not easy. It’s exhausting. You might feel like a fish out of water the first few times.

It’s like trying to learn how to walk all over again. You can only sustain it for short bursts until your body gives up. You need training. You need discipline.

4. The Flat Pedal Advantage

When you’re riding on flat pedals, this whole “clock” business feels like a pipe dream.

After all, how can you lift and pull if you can’t clip in?

That’s what I always thought. Flat pedals are for one thing: mashing. But then, I tried a little experiment—just for kicks.

A slight pull, a little backward drag at the bottom of the stroke. And, well, my W/kg jumped by nearly 0.8. Not bad for a few minutes of awkward pedaling.

If you have flat pedals with spikes, though, things get interesting. You can engage your muscles differently, like dragging your foot at the end of the stroke without the need for pulling up.

It’s not exactly pulling, but you’re putting more power into each part of the pedal stroke.

And surprisingly, it’s quite effective. So, if you’ve been living in the land of flat pedals, don’t think you’ve been doing it all wrong. There’s more to those pedals than you think.

5. The Myth of “Pulling Up”

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Pulling up on the upstroke. Is it really worth all the hype?

Research says no. It doesn’t add much to your power output. What really matters is a smooth, efficient pedal stroke, regardless of whether you’re lifting or not.

In fact, pulling up is only beneficial in specific situations, like when you’re climbing out of the saddle, or if you’re trying to break out of a sprint.

So why bother? The real key is to smooth out the stroke—move with the rhythm of the bike.

6. The Indoor Trainer Dilemma

Ever tried switching up your pedaling on an indoor trainer? The numbers can be deceiving.

The indoor trainer doesn’t replicate the same feel as riding outdoors. You’ll notice that changes in position (like moving to the drops or sitting upright) can give you a boost in watts.

But is it real power?

Not really. It’s an artificial change.

But when you do pedal around the clock on a trainer, the numbers speak for themselves—W/kg improves.

It’s not a fluke. It’s technique. But just because it shows improvement doesn’t mean it’s sustainable in the long run. It’s all about finding a balance.

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Conclusion: So What’s the Verdict?

The truth is, you don’t need to be a cycling guru to know what works for you.

Pedal stomping is effective for raw power. PATC? It’s about finesse, precision, and engaging different muscle groups. Is one better than the other?

Hell, no. They’re just different animals. And who’s to say which one’s more effective?

Maybe you’ve been doing it wrong for years. Or maybe you’ve been doing it right all along, just in a different way.

Now, do you keep going with your trusty stomp, or do you give that pesky clock a spin?

Well, don’t be surprised if your body starts talking back—whichever way you go, it’ll let you know what it needs.

So take your pick: keep it simple, or get fancy. Either way, you’re still pedaling, my friend.

And that’s all that matters.

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Here’s a side-by-side comparison to give you a quick reference:

Pedal Stomping	Pedaling Around the Clock (PATC)
Raw power.	Smooth, circular motion.
Efficient for short bursts.	Builds endurance and engages more muscles.
Easy to sustain for beginners.	Harder to maintain without practice.
Works best for flat pedals.	Best for clipless or advanced flat pedal use.
Lower efficiency if done poorly.	Higher efficiency if done correctly.
Doesn’t require finesse.	Requires technique and focus.

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One last thing…

It’s all nonsense. Pedaling, power, efficiency—it’s just you and the road. Just ride, and let your body figure out the rest. You’re not here for perfection. You’re here for the ride.