mike9903

When climbing out of the saddle for some reason I CANNOT pull up with my opposite hand. As much as I concetrate and attempt to do it, I always end up pulling with the wrong hand. Has anyone else have had this problem, if so how do you remedy it?

Phantoj

I can't see how you can pull up with the opposite hand without falling over.

You're pushing down with your left foot, making the bike want to fall to the left. You're pulling up with your right hand, making the bike want to fall to the left. I don't get it.

I think you could either push with the opposite hand or pull with the same-side hand.

I'm waiting for the climbing fools to weigh in...

patentcad

It's BICYCLE RIDING you idiots. Not synchronized high wind tightrope acrobatics. Where do some of these questions come from? Are they serious? Is this some bizarre form of trolling?

Quick, somebody shoot me again. As always, Ti bullets are preferable. Reynolds 853 hollowpoints in a pinch.

velocity

Just send your frame back to Cdale one more time that should get you shot
Velocity

merlinextraligh

When you push down with your left foot on the left crank, that makes the bike want to rise to the right, not fall to the left. Some guy named Newton..., equal, opposite reactions...

Phantoj

You can't really argue meaningfully with me on this one because "makes the bike want to" is an undefined, vague term.

The question for you physics guys is: if you stomp down on the left pedal, what do you need to do with the bars to keep the bike from falling over?

merlinextraligh

I was using your own colloquial language to explain it to you in your terms.

Pushing down on the left pedal makes the left crank arm go down, it does not push the frame of the bike down to the left.


And you don't need a physicist, try riding a bike yourself, watch a sprint in a bike race, or heck watch a 7 year old racing his buddy down the side walk.

slowandsteady

Huh? If you can't figure this out maybe you need to switch hobbies to something like watching paint dry or sleeping. Don't try sleeping in a bed, you might fall out.

patentcad

Can we please switch to a more intelligent discussion now? How about that walking/chewing gum dilemma? Anyone else having problems with that?

Sleeping as a hobby ROCKS. Where's the Sleeping Forum?

Phantoj

If I get the time, I'll try to make a simple diagram so I can explain what I'm trying to say.

Riding a bike is an excellent suggestion, I will do that. But I maintain that the way to climb is by pulling up on the handlebars same side that you're stomping down on.

Can you do a standing climb no-handed?

Pizza Man

I don't think, I just climb.

Cypress

+1.

I guess I do try to be smooth.

FormerBMX'er

There's a Beavis & Butt-Head joke in there somewhere.....Huh...huh...Huh!

waterrockets 

When pedaling seated and developing a lot of power, the bike will be trying to surge out from under you, forward. You counter this by pulling back (with both hands) on the bars rhythmically. A good seated climbing position is: hands on bar tops, scoot back in the saddle a bit, drop your elbows to lower your forearms, straight wrists. Thumbs on top of the bars (not grasping the bottom) is more aero because it will pull your elbows in a couple inches, but you'll probably want to use both grips intermittently to prevent hand fatigue. You should stand every so often to utilize a different muscle group and rest the others a bit. I like to stand for around 30 seconds every 2.5 minutes (20%).

Seated, it looks a lot like this when done right (and this is a tired Tyler at the front of the race, who's losing his form a bit):

Cypress

Nominated for sweetest bike. Ever.

FrankBattle 

Funny, the OP's signature reads:

dangerman

think "light" on the hands.

mayukawa

I don't think you're supposed to actively pull up-->just counter-acting the sway of the bike. Unless you're talking about "pulling" back in sprints.

EdZ

Yeah, you tell em'. Just ride your damn bike.

toshi

Well this is kind of a wonky thread, but analyzing technique on the bike is always valuable. I was out riding a couple weekends ago up Mt. Tam, and came across someone who was climbing slowly, but obviously because he was building base or staying in zone, because his out-of-saddle effort was very, very smooth.

His pedal motion out of the saddle appeared perfectly circular, no fits and starts, no pedaling squares, and a very moderate cadence. His eyes were forward and his upper body was very quiet.

You can spot experienced, practised cyclists who take an interest in their technique because they just ooze neat, clean efficiency on the bike, no matter the setting. There is cycling and then there is cycling.

Bockman

I used to have this problem, I fixed it by simply crossing my arms right before big climbs.

branman1986

grahny

1. Don't stand

2. If you do... no death grip on the bars, and no major pulling as you're just wasting energy using your upper body muscles when it should be directed to your legs. Light grip, easy pulling/swaying of the bars (think "serenity now" with the upper body ).... concentrate on moving your hips rather than your shoulders. This is my technique and it works pretty well...

waterrockets 

GL, who could climb a little better than average, recommended standing 20% to cycle muscle groups. It's very soothing for me.

grahny

I guess it depends on grade of the climb... I've heard that shifting up a gear and standing reduces lactic acid build up in addition to using different muscles, then shift back down a gear and sit again... I've tried it.. didn't work for me

I stand, but very little.. I just seem to climb better that way... probably 'cause when I'm tired I used too much upper body when I know I shouldn't, and sitting helps to prevent that.