Climbing technique
- Thread starter Sbudge
- Start date
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outlash
also available in orange
- Location
- ice station zebra
Thanks Outlash, Strava's just really confirming something I already knew...I'm a poor climber and would rather I wasn't!The irony is that when running it's the other way around, I love running uphill and am generally better than my peers at it. Humans are strange.
Climbing's not my strong point either. TBH, riding a bike isn't one....
The ONLY time I get out of the saddle is for pot-holes and/or really fast bumpy descents... I never ever stand when when climbing, that just makes hard work even harder for me, and gives me less chance of getting to the top.. I prefer to pace myself at a set level, which is normally really feckin slow, I'm like a tortoise up a hill, but I always seem to be able to get to the top :-)
stoatsngroats
Legendary Member
- Location
- South East
I thought that standing used more energy, so will you tire quicker, therefore sitting is better for energy conservation. Hills require power, not weight on the pedals, and gearing can help this, but pedal push should come from leg strength, not body weight!
Or maybe I'm wrong - I'm not good on hills, but that may be because I don't climb enough of them!
Or maybe I'm wrong - I'm not good on hills, but that may be because I don't climb enough of them!
Citius
Guest
You won't put out much power without putting weight on the pedals.
stoatsngroats
Legendary Member
- Location
- South East
Ok, if you say so, it must be true...
Citius
Guest
Unassailable fact - regardless of who says it...
Pumpkin the robot
Guru
I pretty much sit down on hills, although on longer climbs (5miles+) I tend to get out the saddle every now and again to relieve the aches and pains in my lower back.
A few years back I did a set of hill repeats at different cadence and gears to see which was faster for me, I tended to spin alot then (100rpm+ on hills) but found I was faster when I pushed a bigger gear (5 teeth smaller) Since I had an accident last year, I have not got my cadence back up to the levels I used to and as a result produce more power and go up hills faster than I used to. I am not as fast on the flat though.
A few years back I did a set of hill repeats at different cadence and gears to see which was faster for me, I tended to spin alot then (100rpm+ on hills) but found I was faster when I pushed a bigger gear (5 teeth smaller) Since I had an accident last year, I have not got my cadence back up to the levels I used to and as a result produce more power and go up hills faster than I used to. I am not as fast on the flat though.
oldroadman
Veteran
- Location
- Ubique
In my competitive days (at a reasonable level) I was not a very good climber, at least in a race sense. The most efficient way to climb is on the saddle, using a gear which can go over at around 90+rpm. That way you work away at the climb and don't waste energy. There are some who are all over the place and try to use big gears out of the saddle. Eventually they tend to blow up and lose a lot of ground. Agree with the comment about getting out of the saddle now and again to ease the back, and stretch legs a bit on a long climb, but only for a few revs and never in a bigger gear. On short (less than about 1,000 metres) it's sometimes possible to power climb, still sat down but using a bigger gear, still keeping the revs going - just avoid going into "the red".
The comment about weight on the pedals is not correct - it's power, and whether it's delivered as slow strong pushes or smooth rapid turning of a gear, power (and weight) is what it's all about. Basically, if you can't climb too well, lose some weight and learn to spin a lower gear. The difference will be surprising.
The comment about weight on the pedals is not correct - it's power, and whether it's delivered as slow strong pushes or smooth rapid turning of a gear, power (and weight) is what it's all about. Basically, if you can't climb too well, lose some weight and learn to spin a lower gear. The difference will be surprising.
Citius
Guest
If you don't put weight on the pedals - they won't turn.
Padraig
Active Member
- Location
- St. Helens, Merseyside
At the age of 63, my preferred climbing technique is to dismount altogether and push the bicycle up steep hills. I always did this anyway, even as a young man. It was my belief that it was a good thing, even on the flat, to use different muscles by walking from time to time, and all my rides alternated between riding and walking.
oldroadman
Veteran
- Location
- Ubique
Not weight - pressure - the application of muscular force to the pedal in order to rotate the crank, move the chain, rotate the rear wheel, and achieve forward motion. All very simple, really.
OP
OP
Sbudge
Cyclist
- Location
- NW London & The Chilterns
Not weight - pressure - the application of muscular force to the pedal in order to rotate the crank, move the chain, rotate the rear wheel, and achieve forward motion. All very simple, really.
Yep, in theory you could ride along purely by exerting 'upward' force (via the cleats) on the pedals alone...no weight involved, only force/torque.
Citius
Guest
Not weight - pressure - the application of muscular force to the pedal in order to rotate the crank, move the chain, rotate the rear wheel, and achieve forward motion. All very simple, really.
This is an exercise in semantics, but in the context of cycling, 'pressure' on the pedals is measured in terms of force & weight - Kg/f, lb/f, etc. So yes - weight. Same for pulling-up, incidentally, because force can be applied in any direction.
I would use the 'whistling smiley', except I'm not trying to patronise you.
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