Out of saddle hill climbing is.....

[Drago]

How about resting only one buttock on the saddle?

 

[bpsmith]

We are all different. I started cycling this year. Seated still feels more natural and any standing efforts I find hard. Probably as simply not used to it. If someone stands as a matter of course, then they're probably not used to sitting in those circumstances, on the same basis. It's all down to habits. We could both learn the other tactic and eventually it's second nature.

Interestingly, I too have read that sitting is more efficient and standing should ideally be as a last resort.

More interestingly, I ride with a variation of similar ability guys. When out together I have noticed that, when next to each other on a climb and a mate stands up, I am able to go faster than them without additional effort. I am not trying to pass them but, the same effort that kept us level when all seated, gives them a disadvantage as soon as they stand.

I am just assuming that they think they have come to their max whilst seated and standing is a last ditched attempt at finishing the climb?

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Used to stand up all the time on hills when I first started cycling again, until I noticed more experienced guys were coming past me up the hills whilst in the saddle.

So I learnt from them and now just spin a lower gear and maintain a relatively high cadence.

9/10 times it seems the most efficient and fastest way of climbing, especially if you can keep that cadence high and maintain momentum until you're over the top.

Now, getting out of the saddle is almost a sign of defeat, meaning I've almost certainly lost momentum and need a burst of acceleration to get going again!

 

[cyberknight]

Used to stand up all the time on hills when I first started cycling again, until I noticed more experienced guys were coming past me up the hills whilst in the saddle.

So I learnt from them and now just spin a lower gear and maintain a relatively high cadence.

9/10 times it seems the most efficient and fastest way of climbing, especially if you can keep that cadence high and maintain momentum until you're over the top.

Now, getting out of the saddle is almost a sign of defeat, meaning I've almost certainly lost momentum and need a burst of acceleration to get going again!

I also think your body type can make a difference, my legs are more griepel than froome, maybe your muscle twitch type can play a role in how your prefer to ride?
Guy on a club run who is built like a stick spins madly up hills and i play rabbit with him for the "lead" on a hill at maybe a slower cadence but otherwise we are equally matched.To me the small ring is admitting defeat !

 

[lesley_x]

Stand up only if from a standing start and have traffic behind me/up my bum and want to get some speed up fast. Also if it's a steep one from standing start I stand for the first few pedal strokes then get seated to spin up.

Works for me.

 

[midlife]

I think I have a very typical technique........

Start at the bottom of the hill sitting down, change gears as I get slower. Then think I'm going to topple over and stand up out of saddle to keep going, when that fails to keep up the momentum and I am again about to fall off then hop of gracefully and walk.

Technique that has served me well

Shaun

 

[Big_Dave]

I think I have a very typical technique........

Start at the bottom of the hill sitting down, change gears as I get slower. Then think I'm going to topple over and stand up out of saddle to keep going, when that fails to keep up the momentum and I am again about to fall off then hop of gracefully and walk.

Technique that has served me well

Shaun

+1 to that, but more rest stops before giving up, only once did I walk up part of a hill.

 

[G3CWI]

hop of gracefully and walk.

OMG!!!! MODS: please remove this post. This is not a walkers' forum.

 

[migrantwing]

Just mix it up for a workout of different muscle groups. You can always sit or stand halfway up a climb if you feel the need.

 

[bpsmith]

I haven't done much standing up cycling, so going to focus in a bit of that soon. As above, it's good to train different muscles.

 

[Ian H]

If you need to conserve energy (e.g. on a long ride) stay mostly seated. Otherwise, mix and match as you want.

 

[Diggs]

Out of saddle hill climbing is.....
........how Chris Horner won the Vuelta ?

 

[bpsmith]

Many suspect there was a lot more to it than that...

 

[midlife]

Gratuitous picture of yours truly out of the saddle at Spout Hill during a Hull Thursday hill climb event in the 70's ............blimey I wish I could do it now !!

Shaun

 

[Diggs]

Many suspect there was a lot more to it than that...

I was tempted to add a whistling emoticon