Originally Posted by
cplager
... With my Cruzbike, I can "plank" by pushing on the handlebars and lift my butt out of the seat. I can only do this for short periods of time, but I can double my speed up some short but steep hills (I then fall over at the top of the hill due to exhaustion).
I can do that on my bents, too. Letting the hips move allows a little bit more torque go to the pedals -- at a huge energy cost. I can't maintain it for more than 10 seconds. Doubling climbing speed? I'm not the best of climbers by a longshot, but doubling my speed up a hill? Not possible no matter how efficient the bike is.