Originally Posted by
127.0.0.1
everyone is different
mix it up
you know when you must stand cuz you can't make it up otherwise
but there is no rule. just get to the top and don't blow up before the next guy
if there was a rule, it would be sit then stand then sit and repeat
standing is easier on the knees but uses up more power
sitting is hard on knees but uses less power
if that's true, you're doing it wrong.
Sitting is ALWAYS more
efficient. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, however to get the power down. pcad's right, though. If you're ever climbing at your limit next to someone and you hop out of the saddle, it seems very difficult to hold the pace for more than a couple of pedal strokes (at least for me). The sit and spin can be agonizing, however. Feels like you're not using all your muscles, and somehow you should be able to will your biceps to help you get up the hill. Doesn't really work that way for extended efforts.