Pedals level when stopping?

Never actually thought about it - but I think I unclip with level pedals.

If you're stopping with LH crank down might you catch it on the pavement or kerb ?

Really dont think it matters much any way.

A bit odd, dismounting with pedals level.... I've always got off freewheeled bike with cranks vertical, specifically left pedal down as I get off on my left. This applies to road, cx and mtb. Track - I stop wherever the cranks are, then either roll or hop the rear wheel if the situation dictates. Would be interested to know the reasoning behind this as others have said. Perhaps I've been doing it wrong all these years!

Pedals level (ready position) on CX and MTB are useful for getting your rear off the saddle so allowing the bike to move with the surface underneath you. You're less likely to be thrown off should you encounter some rough patches. Mind you, we'd be doing this all the time over our road surfaces!!

A lot of control on the technical stuff on moutain bikes comes from the 3 + 9 position.  At least in the video I saw recently.  I have been trying it too, seems to work.  Don't know about stopping mind.

I'd say it's track (fixie) specific if it's true.

Ah interesting! Wonder if that changes when they progress..

Well some weight will be on the saddle.

it does sound like a recipe for those horrible first time in clipless moments when you realise you should have unclipped! I am pretty sure I'd fall off if I tried this, if I did get my foot out the sudden rush to 6 of the other would cause calf pain!!

on the track stopping on the fence, yeah I kind of see it as you have a bit of distance to stop in and you are then leaning on the fence and are ready to go on a fixed where a big downward firsts stroke is less of an issue.

Be interested to hear if there is a good reason, personally I'd concentrate on them starting without pushing off on the free foot which just wears out cleats (plastic Keo ones).

Nutty coach if you ask me - probably learnt it from track standing on a fixie. The minute you stop on a normal bike, you have to unclip (at 3, 6, 9 or 12 o'clock doesn't seem to matter) and take one foot off to put it on the ground. The minute you do that, all your weight is on the other pedal and on a non-fixie it will roll back down to 6 o'clock. You might just be able to hold the clipped pedal at the 3 o'clock position with the brakes kept on....but what a hassle...

... In my case, once stopped and with your foot on the ground I always then raise my clipped-in pedal to 2 o'clock before pushing off giving me the same situation as the nutty coach and none of the hassle!

An Internet search hits only this page for pedals level stopping. Odd if this is the correct way. Sounds like the coach has found that to be most comfortable for himself and is passing that on as the best way.

There are benefits in trackstanding or if you need to do little sideways hops to adjust position. Also stops the outside pedal hitting the floor if in a velodrome

Mind you at the track it seems the (fixed) pedals position will be dictated by where you stop as the pedals will keep moving until you come to a dead stop.

Just possible that your sons are winding you up?  Dogs can't look up, you know.

Sounds track specific. If I am stopped waiting at the lights one foot on the ground, I want the clipped on pedal to be at 1 o clock (in front of 12) ready to have almost a whole downstroke to begin moving while/before clipping in the other foot. I think I tend to unclip at 6 o'clock or sometimes at 12 and then cycling the cranks 180 degrees before coming to complete stop.

Because you trackstand with the pedals in that position.

If you stop with the pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock, how do you get off the bike?

I've always found unclipping  is easier if the foot is at six o'clock. Must be track specific?

Makes sense if you are stopped on the fence at the track. A little roll back can put peddles right where you don't want them for staying upright.

What was their reasoning by the way?

One foot forward makes it easier to start up again if you're standing over the top tupe, it's a smoother motion back onto the saddle. It also increases your odds of inadvertently scraping your calf against your pedal if you move about before re-mounting. So, as ever, YMMV.