Vicelord

I've found that I am much more efficient when seated, and only stand for the really ridiculous climbs of say 15% plus like the one pictured below which hit about 19%

I see a lot of guys standing and I've tried it but I feel like it is easier, but I am not able to move as quickly.

Can someone explain it all to me? thanks!

Oh, and I fell in love with this climb. 300ft up in 1mi really had three climbs. First was about 11% second one was 9% then the last one was 19% by far the hardest climb I've ever done.

ericm979

I stand when I want to attack, or when it gets really steep, or when there's a slight increase in grade and I want to stay on top of the gear, or when I want a change and use different muscles, or when I just feel like it.

If you climb a lot you'll get used to standing. Generally, lighter riders stand more because they use less additional energy to stand than larger people do.

njkayaker

Cute hill!

https://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_...w/doiclimb.htm
https://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/08...-or-stand.html

cmolway

+1
funny, that was the link I was going to post up too.

Vicelord

Makes perfect sense then. I'm fat!

Vicelord

Great reads, thanks!

banerjek

The short version is you can use different muscle sets so you can rest one while you work another. This becomes a much bigger deal when the total elevation gain is much greater.

Spend a lot more time on extended climbs and this will come to you naturally.

Velo Vol 

Standing pros: more power

Standing cons: not much (for me); either one gets uncomfortable after a several minutes.

bianchi10

I stand for most of my climbing. I heard at one point (Dont know if it is true or not) that those with stronger upper torso's feel more comfortable standing and those with stronger legs sit. I do a lot of climbing and have recently found myself doing more of a 50/50. Switching positions between standing/sitting and different hand positions to not burn out as early. We have several hills around here that are good 15-20%+ grades that are 2-3 miles long. (really gets those legs burning)

Stratman351

I can't wait to lose another 35 lbs. so I can begin to consider standing while climbing.

Palomar01

Yup. This one.

Something that may also help if you like to stand and pedal is doing push ups. Push Ups strengthen your upper body (arms and shoulder and parts of your abdomen). After I started doing push ups (real man push ups okay) standing and pedaling has become very easy to do since my upper body is much stronger and is used to lifting my whole body.

Having said that, ong long climbs I stay seated.

patentcad

Work on seated climbing as much as you can. Greg Lemond used to say that the instant he stood up on the pedals, his HR went up 10 bpm. That's about right. Do rides where you 'stick it' (stay in the saddle) up every climb, even ones with gradients you would normally stand on. Builds strength in the muscle groups that help you climb seated. The lighter I get and the stronger I get, the longer I can stay seated on climbs. That doesn't mean I don't stand, but seated climbing is a key cycling skill/strength to work on in my view, regardless of whether you're a climber or not. Doesn't matter. It will help your cycling regardless.

StanSeven

If you want to get up a hill faster, standing is the way to do it. Sitting is easier but slower.

DropDeadFred

ive been sitting on my climbs lately...my climbs have gotten really strong lately and i like to save that extra energy for the moment where i feel im about to bonk out

DScott

Must. post. standing. video:


Stand not just to climb, but to decimate.

Grumpy McTrumpy

I am dubious of some of the grades claimed in this thread

here's a climb with 600 feet in one mile.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/555710

Grumpy McTrumpy

for extra credit, tell me what the grade is.

Palomar01

You haven't heard about the Tortoise vs. the hare?

You can't stand and mash forever without burning out early.

DScott

11.9%

What do I win?

DScott

But you can train to stand for much, much longer than most people realize. That, and learn to climb in the drops, too, for a change of pace.

Shocking, I know.

TMonk

stand: to accelerate or to stretch
sit: everything else

DScott

Proof? You're really climbing 750-1050 ft. in a mile? I'd like to see that.

Grumpy McTrumpy

pcad

RT

I spin up hills forever, but cannot stand for more than say 50 full pedal strokes. I find that while seated, I can modify my pedal stroke to work different muscle groups. Standing kills my game. 6'1" 185 lbs., not fat, just built like a tank. Heavy is heavy.

FactVord

yea.. I don't believe that for a second either.