Hill climbs

pedal punisher said:

ok been mtbing fifteen years as a hobby just for fun and fitness,now recently i got a road bike as i felt like a change and well the change has rubbed off on me anyways enuogh of that, i was wondering after all these years am i riding properely up hills as i always stay in the saddle and never get off it unless it is really steep,should i be getting out of the saddle on hills or does this not matter any info would be appreciated 🙂

Staying in the saddle is still the way to go for road riding. I've regularly read a figure of around 15% more efficient, if you stay in the saddle. Since you aren't using any effort to control / suspend your own weight but just pushing the pedals.

When training it's useful to practice both though, perhaps obviously, since you will need to stand from time to time, even if only to keep momentum without changes. And then there's Virenque who did some mountain sections in full standing, and Pantani who stood on the pedals more often than not. There isn't one answer for every condition, but you save effort by staying in the saddle most of the time.

Whatever style is comfortable to you but don't be afraid to experiment.

Thanks for your replys guys 🙂

pedal punisher said:

ok been mtbing fifteen years as a hobby just for fun and fitness,now recently i got a road bike as i felt like a change and well the change has rubbed off on me anyways enuogh of that, i was wondering after all these years am i riding properely up hills as i always stay in the saddle and never get off it unless it is really steep,should i be getting out of the saddle on hills or does this not matter any info would be appreciated 🙂

I recently read an article about climbing and it talked about staying in the saddle as the best choice. The one thing that was interesting to me was the different positions that were recommended - back in the saddle or up in the saddle. I've tried both, moving up in the saddle when I get extremely worn out, and found that there's a difference. You use different muscles in the two seated positions. (You probably already know this, but I didn't.) It might not be the most comfortable on the bottom, but it works for a short climb. If you haven't tried it, do.

Keith
Moser M-76

pedal punisher said:

i always stay in the saddle and never get off it unless it is really steep,should i be getting out of the saddle on hills or does this not matter any info would be appreciated 🙂

For me, it really depends on the length and grade of the hill. I tend to get out of the saddle on the steeper and shorter hills. I stay seated on the longer hills to conserve energy. But if I think I can power my way to the top, staying in the big chainring and standing, I'll try to keep my speed up and go for it! Of course, sometimes I misjudge and have to sit before I reach the top.

The other times I stand on hills is when I just need to give my butt a rest.

kspangler said:

I recently read an article about climbing and it talked about staying in the saddle as the best choice. The one thing that was interesting to me was the different positions that were recommended - back in the saddle or up in the saddle. I've tried both, moving up in the saddle when I get extremely worn out, and found that there's a difference. You use different muscles in the two seated positions. (You probably already know this, but I didn't.) It might not be the most comfortable on the bottom, but it works for a short climb. If you haven't tried it, do.

Keith
Moser M-76

Yes, I read about this recently as well and it's much the same theory as preferences in the saddle fore / aft positioning. Pushed well back increases your leverage and suits big ringing and low cadence better, forward position makes it easier to spin quickly, but gives less leverage.

I've tried experimenting a bit with moving to change the preference and the muscles being used, but climbing is still a total pig for me. I think less rider weight and less bike weight are the two basic keys to build on. Those of us that are at or above the 'ideal' body mass index climb by sheer pain and effort irrespective of tactics. Featherweight riders seem to have a far better time of it (although hills are never going to be low effort!).

much of climbing is mental. don't let the hill intimidate you, after all its just a big dumb pile of earth that just happens to be in your way

I sit on the back of the saddle up the hill and near the crest stand and accellerate.

pedal punisher said:

ok been mtbing fifteen years as a hobby just for fun and fitness,now recently i got a road bike as i felt like a change and well the change has rubbed off on me anyways enuogh of that, i was wondering after all these years am i riding properely up hills as i always stay in the saddle and never get off it unless it is really steep,should i be getting out of the saddle on hills or does this not matter any info would be appreciated 🙂

When I do the Smokies over Newfound Gap I would lay down on the bike and pedal if I could. 😄