Experiments in climbing technique

[Carrera]

Has anyone ever tried climbing with hands placed over the shifters and in a standing position? Prior to this I always climbed using 2 systems:
(1) Climbing in a standing position with hands in the drops.
(2) Climbing seated with hands on top of the bars.
I'm finding that the third alternative works great for me. I lean my weight on the palms of my hands and drape them around the uppermost part of the bars (over the curve) where the shifters are. My fingers touch the breaks, although I seldom need to break while climbing. Then, in the standing position, I find I can attack the hill from a higher stance and simply push my bodyweight down on the pedals, moving side to side for momentum. I found my wrists stopped aching after rides, my shoulders feel better and my climbing speed has improved.
Does anyone else use this method or experiment with alternative techniques for climbing? Or do the majority of folks climb standing and in the drops?

 

[Velo Serg]

I climb with my hands on the hoods of the shifters (if I'm on a road bike) and always with my can out of the saddle.

 

[Aztec]

Has anyone ever tried climbing with hands placed over the shifters and in a standing position? Prior to this I always climbed using 2 systems:
(1) Climbing in a standing position with hands in the drops.
(2) Climbing seated with hands on top of the bars.
I'm finding that the third alternative works great for me. I lean my weight on the palms of my hands and drape them around the uppermost part of the bars (over the curve) where the shifters are. My fingers touch the breaks, although I seldom need to break while climbing. Then, in the standing position, I find I can attack the hill from a higher stance and simply push my bodyweight down on the pedals, moving side to side for momentum. I found my wrists stopped aching after rides, my shoulders feel better and my climbing speed has improved.
Does anyone else use this method or experiment with alternative techniques for climbing? Or do the majority of folks climb standing and in the drops?

Almost no one climbs in the drops -- standing or seated -- for any extended time. Same for holding the tops and standing.

I hold the hoods if I'm standing, and may hold the hoods or even put palms over the top of the end of the hoods (the bump) if it's a fast climb where I'm not pulling with the arms.

 

[Carrera]

Sounds like that's what I do. I kind of have my 2 fingers wound on the brake like you would expect to do when pulling a trigger. The only thing I find is that curling my hands around the hoods of the shifters creates a kind of pull on the fingers.
Before I always climbed very steep hills in the drops and standing but I find I can climb anything using this alternative position and all my shoulder pain and aching wrists have settled down. It goes to show how important it is to find a cycle position that suits a person's particular structure.
I tried another system as well. When climbing a long, not overly steep hill, I may do some of the climbing seated with my hands on top of the bars. However, I push my torso slightly backward and my backside right back on the seat so the angle I'm pushing the peddles from resembles a horizontal leg-press movement (or closer to the angle of a recumbent pedal stroke). It seems to feel easier on the knees somehow and leverage is different.

Almost no one climbs in the drops -- standing or seated -- for any extended time. Same for holding the tops and standing.

I hold the hoods if I'm standing, and may hold the hoods or even put palms over the top of the end of the hoods (the bump) if it's a fast climb where I'm not pulling with the arms.

 

[chisa1234]

if the climb is not going well i find that i often put my hands on the top but with palms facing toward each other gripping the outside of the bars. mmmmmm can anyone understand that? its so i can have my arms as far apart as possible as to get more air.

otherwise i try to stay seated and grip the top of the bar or rest my hands on the hoods.

when out of the saddle i grip the hoods.

 

[keydates]

I almost always climb with my hands over the hoods. Sometimes in the drops.