Originally Posted by
yankeefan
I learned that it was more energy efficient to rock your bike when riding out of the saddle as opposed to rocking your torso and keeping your bike straight, which is why I opt for the former.
Rocking big time accomplishes two other things. More power max, especially in high gears and much kinder to the knees when in those high gears.
I know, everyone says shift to a lower gear. But some of us find riding fix gear can be at times a near spiritual experience. And we learn to ride accordingly. (And if you think about it, folks were doing the fix gear dance for 40 years before the derailleur was invented. It is all quite doable.) Since I do a large percentage of my miles on my winter fixie with often rather heavy loads, a set-up where the dance can be done is essential. Low Riders allow the dance with any weight. And if it is less efficient? So what? I got up the hill and still have knees.
Ben