Originally Posted by
terrymorse
With a few exceptions, pro cyclists are as energetically efficient in or out of the saddle. Some of the best climbers (Pantani, Contador) spent much of their time out of the saddle.
Even avid amateurs aren’t expending that much more energy when out of the saddle.
You may think you're working much harder when out of the saddle, but unless you've also sped up, your not working much harder.
Word. When Chris Horner won the Tour of California, he stood up Sierra Road most if not all of the climb. If I am training and racing at the track a lot, then I adapt to the drops and higher cadence. Likewise, when I am climbing a lot on the tops or hoods, I adapt to lower cadence an more upright posture.
A few years ago, I did a tour in France with a lot of climbing and then went to the track. I sucked at higher cadence and lower position. But a couple of times at the track and I was okay.
IMO, time in the saddle in the most efficient posture and cadence for the terrain matters a lot. Ride what is comfortable and ride a lot. YMMV.