Climbing technique

[Sbudge]

A Monday morning 'newbie' question (even though I've been cycling for a while).

Q. When is the right time to get up out of the saddle? I ask because I was taught to stay planted until you can't get up the hill otherwise. However I'm finding I can get up 20% or so that way so hardly ever get up on the pedals...surely that's wrong?

 

[Citius]

There is no 'wrong' way of getting up a hill. Stand up when you want/need to and sit down when you want/need to

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

I don't think there is right or wrong when it comes to ways of climbing..

There is styles..!!

Personally I climb sitting.. The whole time..! But I am a heavy set guy with skills that are on the limited side of cycling..

When do I come off the saddle?

- Short and steep hills. (off the saddle all out for 10 to 20 seconds)
- To close a gap going up hill.... No longer then 10 to 20 secs.
- To look cool at a 10% gradient while talking to my buddies.
- To fix my cycling shorts that are bothering me.

So is personal in my experience..

If you are comfortable climbing sitting stay that way..!

Happy week everyone..!

 

[Sbudge]

Thanks, that's reassuring. I find I stand once the alternative is pulling the front wheel off the ground (happened a couple of times this weekend).

 

[ianrauk]

Do what ever you want to do - as the song goes.

If you feel better standing up and honking then go for it.
If you sit down and spin up then go for it
It you mix and match... then go for it.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As above. On long hills, standing up can hurt in a refreshingly different way to sitting down, so a change is as good as a rest.

Actually it isn't. A rest half way up a big hill is much better.

 

[mjr]

Please remain seated and keep both hands inside the vehicle.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Do whatever you can to get up the hill. I prefer wheel sucking and ensuring that someone else is doing the work so I don't have to, but seriously short punchy hills I get up out of the saddle to keep the speed up. Long hills tend to sit in as long as possible, but just do whatever feels good for you.

 

[Sbudge]

As above. On long hills, standing up can hurt in a refreshingly different way to sitting down, so a change is as good as a rest.

Actually it isn't. A rest half way up a big hill is much better.

Hmmm, I'm not convinced about that one. Unless it's not too steep. I find stopping halfway up a steep hill correlates very highly with the spontaneous decision to perhaps switch direction on that route!

 

[Sbudge]

Do whatever you can to get up the hill. I prefer wheel sucking and ensuring that someone else is doing the work so I don't have to, but seriously short punchy hills I get up out of the saddle to keep the speed up. Long hills tend to sit in as long as possible, but just do whatever feels good for you.

Hmmm "whatever feels good for you" , I translate that as whatever feels less horrid!

 

[Dan B]

Hmmm, I'm not convinced about that one. Unless it's not too steep. I find stopping halfway up a steep hill correlates very highly with the spontaneous decision to perhaps switch direction on that route!

Haha yes. Especially on single-sided clipless pedals where you may not even be able to remount before falling over

 

[Pope]

If I try and stand up for a substantial amount of time when climbing, it hurts a lot more than sitting.

I only stand for little bursts up hills...such as on canal towpaths, where there is a lock.

 

[I like Skol]

I nearly always remain seated when climbing, even when off-road on the MTB. I find it gives me more traction and I can keep pushing for longer. If I stand up it is all over in seconds and I have to sit down again. However, I can briefly get more power through the pedals when stood up so will occasionally adopt this position for a race away from the lights or a brief short, sharp climb.
Some people love to stand on the pedals all the way up a hill but I just don't get this. I have grown up in a hilly area so maybe my technique is a result of this because if I climbed stood up then I wouldn't really need a saddle

 

[bpsmith]

Do whatever you can to get up the hill. I prefer wheel sucking and ensuring that someone else is doing the work so I don't have to, but seriously short punchy hills I get up out of the saddle to keep the speed up. Long hills tend to sit in as long as possible, but just do whatever feels good for you.

There is no such benefit from wheel sucking on a steep gradient.

 

[Citius]

No drafting benefit, but there is a pacing benefit.