Originally Posted by
79pmooney
I have no "musts" regarding hill climbs. ("You must sit" or "you must stand".) But I stand a lot. Always have. I love the dance. I can ride out of the saddle nearly as efficiently as sitting (as long as wind resistance isn't a factor). I ride a lot of fix gear so I do a lot of hills where sitting isn't an option. Now, on steeper fix gear climbs, my hands and esp forearms feel it, but pulling, not pushing. It hurt to touch my forearms with soap showering after the 2014 Cycle Oregon Day 4 climb hitting 14%. (See my loge. That photo was taken at the steepest point.)
Ben
Yeah, that's one reason I started standing on the hills - I was getting a better upper body workout. I was trying to get an entire workout without having to hit the gym. But you are right, it is more of a pull on the bars than a push. Either way, my hands don't get so numb.
And I don't do it as a "must". When traffic is heavy and I need to see in my mirror, I tend to sit on the hills. Or any time I need tighter steering, or more precise control of the bike. But if I have the option, I do try to stand every time.