BrunoJ

When standing up on long, hard climbs to give my quads a break, I noticed that my pedaling motion changes completely. I stop pedaling smoothly, I sort of fall on one pedal, than on the next, like if my legs were pistons. This seems to make the bike climb in little spurts and I'm thinking that it can't be very effective... but it's hard to pedal smoothly when standing up. Is it worth working on this?

I met a very serious amateur rider yesterday who specializes in climbing. He weighs 132 pounds and is 5 feet 10. And I thought I was lean, at 145 and 5'10''! He climbs like a beast. I've never seen someone climb like this. He was on his 12th hill repeat of the longest hill in Montreal, and as I was panting up, he was barely working and taking drinks from his water bottle... he "attacked" a few times, there was nothing I could do but look at him go. Anyways, I noticed that his pedaling is very smooth when he's standing, which is what made me post this. Whaddaya think?

aadhils

Do more climbing. A LOT more climbing. It'll eventually become natural to you, and you'll become a smoother, better climber...

Sir-Lanceimnot

You have to practice,practice,practice. You can get better and smoother.

At the start of the season I am not very smooth at all but as the season goes on I get the "feel" back. I try not to think of stomping the pedals but of pulling them up and driving my knees into the handlebars. The down stroke will take care of its self.

Snicklefritz

+1 Do get better at climbing you have to do a lot of it. Hill repeats are also a great way to boost both your threshold power and improve what you can sustain over long periods of time.

Mike_Like_Bike

You can use your body weight for the down stroke (and give your muscles some rest for that leg) and pull up with your rear leg. From what you describe, it sounds like you're treating climbs like you're on a Stairmaster. You can also "switch" between what main muscle groups you're using to climb, i.e. using mostly quads, using mostly calves, combo of the two, and using your body weight for an advantage. But yeah, with some practice you'll get it and should develop some new muscles along the way! Good luck!

AndrewP

You are using different muscles when you stand. These are less efficient but you are giving the 'spinning ' muscles a rest.