When I commute, I go about 12 miles when I do the full commute. But usually I'll ride a 2 miles to the bus station than another mile or two when I ride in from the outskirts of downtown.

I found even when I'm coasting, rather than sitting down I'm standing on the pedals. There are times when I sit down (which is when I'm simply need to recover as much as possible) but since I consider my bike riding my excercise I try to push myself as much as possible (I often pass up roadies even close to the end of my commute).

I was curious if there was any real benefit to standing on the padals rather than being on the seat. Keep in mind I don't have clipless pedals (as that would probably give the inclination to spin more)

Any others out there who do what I do?

I think there was a thread a few months back similar to this one.. the consensus seemed to be (from memory) that most people thought the op was crazy.

The answer is "no." There's no benefit to standing long term over sitting.



Yeah yeah. The roadies already understand that It's Not A Race.

Or was going to break himself or the bike. Which could happen, I suppose. I could also happen while sitting down, so, meh.

As for advantages inherent in riding standing up, um, your butt doesn't get as sweaty. And if you're cranking hard all the time then you could be pushing your leg muscles into an anaerobic state, which will help build strength and muscle mass, as opposed to endurance. The biggest advantage is that you enjoy how you ride; nothing else really matters.

Have you considered getting a fixed gear bike? No coasting allowed.

It's always a race!

If you are coasting a lot I would wonder if perhaps the gearing on your cassette is not a bit too wide.

Do you notice that sometimes a gear becomes too easy, but the next gear is still a bit too hard? That would indicate to me that the spacing between gears is not optimal and to compensate you tend to coast on the easier gear rather then trying to 'mash' the next gear up. If that is your problem, it would be easily remedied with a new cassette.

Dayum! That chainring is the size of a dinner plate!

I stand while coasting a lot - especially on long rides - to give my butt a break and to let the air flow around me more for cooling.

Rule 71, man.

A thought -- if you stand a lot while coasting, your saddle might be too low.

Richard Masoner

Sounds like you have a BMX background. It's always funny to see BMXers on road bikes - standing up coasting with the bike tilted to one side.
But seriously, is your saddle high enough to get a full leg extension while seated?

I believe it is a 68x11 w/205mm cranks. Did not beat the saddless hour record held by Coppi

Yeah, actually, that was my first thought as well - if you're standing up in order to get a workaround, the most likely explanation is that your seat is to low.

I definitely put out *more* power sitting down than when standing up. I only stand up to stretch, or occasionally on hills (I'm not sure why...maybe because the bike it tilted is makes a difference somehow).

But on the flat I'm definitely able to put out more power for longer than I can standing up (on the flat).

How many roadies can you smoke in 2 miles while standing and coasting?

I have to disagree with rule 7, it's hot around here in Southern California now and I will sometimes ride without my shirt for comfort. This has a direct effect on my finely crafted tan lines and cannot be avoided. I would make a case for some regional specific flexibility in rule 7.

Nope.

I am a lazy commuter, my butt does not leave the seat for three miles. I have gears for a reason and I'm not afraid to use them.

I very rarely coast but there are times on long rides when I'll shift into the highest gear and pedal while standing as though I'm climbing just to get some circulation into my butt if it gets a little numb.

Ummmm, no.

The only time I noticed my commute was faster by standing was the time when I had this bigger than quarter size Zit on my butt right where it land on my seat. I was stopping every other block to remove the pressure, so instead I stood and pedal that whole day.

Correct

-1, nope.

Somebody just out grew their BMX bike, I think.

Personally, I never sit on my pedals.