Thrashing - good or bad?

[Ludwig]

Are you a thrash cyclist ie one who gets out of your seat and thrashes your bike about furiously from side to side. You seem to get the Sunday morning thrash merchants particulary when climbing and I must admit to going through bit of a thrash phase last year however I found it a little tiring and prefer to remain in my seat these days. You do see some of the pros thrashing a bit but doubt if there is much to be gained. There is an initial burst of speed but unless you are super fit I cannot see the gain in thrashing.

 

[Brock]

Ah.. I was about to answer 'good' but I see you're not talking about Anthrax and Slayer.

 

[montage]

Isn't the thrashing because you pull up on left handlebar when you push right leg down? As for getting out of the saddle, it is faster but uses alot more energy (alot of people say 30% more), however can make a nice change in muscle use....I am sure somebody more knowledgeable on the matter will come along shortly

 

[byegad]

I read a post on another forum where a rider said he had treid thrashing the bike like mad but found it did no good. He still had to pedal it.

 

[Radius]

Getting forward and out of the saddle for me allows me to get more power....dunno, I'm not that violent with it tho

 

[Randochap]

It depends on your definition of "thrashing." Do you simply mean standing up?

There are plenty of ungainly cyclists out there, who "thrash" no matter whether standing or seated. The main thing is to keep the upper body calm and pedal. A lot of people start rocking around when tired or climbing in the saddle. This usually means they are "mashing" the pedals, rather than pedaling a nice, round cadence. Keep the upper body still.

As stated above, standing is a nice change of pace and use of different muscles. Sprinting out of the saddle is another thing ... and better left to the pros!

 

[HJ]

It is fine for a short sprint but I wouldn't do it for very long. Also it make have been a significant factor in the death of my last bike, the head tube snapped...

 

[Paulus]

Over a short distance having a thrash will be quicker and, ultimately good fun, but on a long climb it will be more energy saving and ultimately quicker over the distance to stay seated, and spin the pedals to get up the hill. Learn to move your bum back a bit on the saddle when climbing as this will lengthen your leg stroke so giving a bit more power on the down stroke.

 

[Randochap]

It is fine for a short sprint but I wouldn't do it for very long. Also it make have been a significant factor in the death of my last bike, the head tube snapped...

More likely it was a badly built frame.

 

[John the Monkey]

I think the research shows that at a certain level of effort, pedalling out of the saddle becomes more efficient (70% of VO2 max or more?). In one of the recent-ish issues of Cycling Plus, as I recall.

 

[yenrod]

The only way thrashing will help if a break is going up the road but more likely is to be used if the resultant speed goes up suddenly BUT sitting down thereafter is imperative. AS this type of riding can floor you for a long time afterwards...

 

[country joe]

I find it better using my gears and staying on the seat,as well as keeping fit cycling is about enjoyment, why hash and go like the clappers,
My mate loves hills, he is right in saying they get you fit,
but i dont enjoy them,i prefer the flat,with the odd hill,
Its what ever you enjoy doing on your bike.

 

[gavintc]

A good thrashing is what everyone needs every so often.

 

[jimboalee]

'Thrashers'...

Marco Pantani ?
Richard Virenque ?
Jan Ulrich ?
Greg Lemond ?

 

[HJ]

More likely it was a badly built frame.

I had had the bike 10 years and I bought it second hand, it had taken a lot of heavy use, no frame lasts for ever...