Standing up on the pedals.....I've changed my mind.

[BlackPanther]

Whenever I used to see road bike riders standing up on their pedals, I must confess I saw it as a sign of weakness.....aren't they strong enough to pedal whilst sitting? As a long term hybrid rider, I found that I could keep up a decent pace whilst seated, occasionally even keeping up with a road biker who was standing up! I'd tried standing up on the hybrid, and found it much more work for very little gain. I was also worried that it would put too much stress on the chain/sprockets.

Since buying my 1st road bike last month though, I've gradually started to stand up when setting off from the lights, or on uphill sections. Obviously this uses different muscles, and I've now found that I can do it every time on set off, and can sprint uphill for a good distance. It's so satisfying shooting uphill flat out!

In short, I was wrong. Standing up gives such a boost (on a road bike), and makes for a great work out. Does it knack your chain a lot faster though?

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I stand up cause some days my arse is so sore !

 

[gaz]

A sign of weakness?
POWWWWWWWWWWWER!
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCUD0CPKJSM[/media]

 

[GrasB]

The geometry of the bike, or more accurately the rear triangle, has an effect on how efficient you are when standing up. Added to this narrower handlebars tend to keep the bike in a straighter line so you use your body more effectively. Result is that a road bike is more effective than a 'fast' hybrid (such as a Boardman Hybrid whos rear triangle geom comes straight out of the road bike design rule book) which in turn will be more effective than a more typical hybrid bike designed for large tyres etc.

 

[gbb]

Your comment about chain wear may be true...
I love to get out of the saddle. We dont have too many hills here, but i like to mix things up by getting out of the saddle and blasting up inclines, then take it easy'ish once topped till ive recovered a bit....it really ups your average speed if you're going for it.
Not many steep hills...i still get 1000 ft of climbing in a 40 mile ride if i head into Northants/Rutland, so its not that bad.
Chain wear ? i do seem to get though them compared with some members on here...it's reasonable to assume that riding style contributes.

 

[Origamist]

It's also worth remembering that when you are out of the saddle you are more eye-catching to other road users (due to both lateral movement and an increased profile). I like getting out of the saddle for this reason when commuting.

 

[gaz]

It's also worth remembering that when you are out of the saddle you are more eye-catching to other road users (due to both lateral movement and an increased profile). I like getting out of the saddle for this reason when commuting.

I thought it was because you like to overtake everything?

 

[mercurykev]

A tip for 'honking' up hills: "just before you stand on the pedals, change up to a bigger gear to compensate for your lower cadence and to keep your power consistent. Change back into an easier gear when you sit down again." This really help to maintain a good speed and is especially good when dealing with rolling terrain.

 

[Fab Foodie]

You know what guys ... I'd wager thet how we ride has little effect on chain wear. Consider motorcycle chains of cam-chains in engines, they experience waaaaay more differences in power then we can generate by sitting or standing.

 

[gaz]

You know what guys ... I'd wager thet how we ride has little effect on chain wear. Consider motorcycle chains of cam-chains in engines, they experience waaaaay more differences in power then we can generate by sitting or standing.

But those chains are thicker and stronger than say an 11 speed chain.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Standing on the pedals away from the lights is a good time to listen how smoothly your chaindrive is working - after a while with a creaky crank that only wanted to be lovingly regreased, it's a constant source of pleasure to hear it working well. Also, if you're knackered sitting down, standing up for a minute can't do any harm...however, 2 minutes may kill you, because you become knackered in both positions and the third option is then getting off and pushing.

 

[cyberknight]

Your comment about chain wear may be true...
I love to get out of the saddle. We dont have too many hills here, but i like to mix things up by getting out of the saddle and blasting up inclines, then take it easy'ish once topped till ive recovered a bit....it really ups your average speed if you're going for it.
Not many steep hills...i still get 1000 ft of climbing in a 40 mile ride if i head into Northants/Rutland, so its not that bad.
Chain wear ? i do seem to get though them compared with some members on here...it's reasonable to assume that riding style contributes.

Want to swap i do close to 500 feet of climbing in the last 5 miles of my commute , maybe 2- 3 chains year over 4000 miles , and thats on an 8 speed so they last a bit longer than the higher geared bikes .

As far as climbing goes it all depends on the legs on the day as sometimes i spin or sometimes i stand up , but i always try to keep a reasonable cadence when standing as grinding tires my legs really fast.

 

[gb155]

A sign of weakness?
POWWWWWWWWWWWER!
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCUD0CPKJSM[/media]

LOVE that video

 

[funnymummy]

I'd been ridding a ladies style bike for several years - I bought it to tow my Bubs trailer, I did my first 100 miler on it 5yrs ago - Thats when I decided I needed a 'proper' bike for my solo rides, but after years of sitting upright & just crunching up hills I found I had lost the knack for standing on the pedals - It took me a long while to get used to it again, as I ride a combination of both bikes, but the MummyBike the most often I still forget to stand when on my own bike, find myself halfway up a hill grinding away & then think "Why am I not standing?"

 

[asterix]

But those chains are thicker and stronger than say an 11 speed chain.

Yes motorcyles are also a lot more powerful than legs!

What really knackers chains is dirt; suggesting that your power output has any real effect is wildly optimistic