Climbing on the hoods?
 

Watching Flanders live stream I notice all the pros are climbing with their hands on the top of the bars verses on the hoods. Probably a stupid question, but I'm always on the hoods. Is their an advantage to positioning your hands on the top of the bars while climbing? I suppose it would create a more upright position.

I've found small changes in 'bar position can make it easier or harder to stand for climbing, in terms of the balance feeling right when I get up. I'd assume the pros have their positions a lot more finely tuned than we do.

Another thing is that it might be more efficient to climb with the torso up a little higher, and the hip closure angle (minimum thigh to torso angle) larger. Subtle differences in how and when the glutes and long back muscles are activated and brought into the leg thrusting?

It looks to me like the bottom line is that there might or might not be a benefit that you can find. You might want to experiment with small changes in handle bar height and rotation, and stem extension, and see if you can find a sweeter spot than you have now. I'm suggesting small changes so as to not stray too far from the position you have, which presumably works well. Record your current position so you can re-set the bike to it exactly if none of this dinking around proves to be of any benefit.

If you got an expensive fitting that uses power measurements and pedal motion analysis, you could probably get closer to the best optimization.

As for the pro's. Sitting more upright allows for the rider to relax, save some energy and to breath easier. Sometimes they will sit further back on the saddle to get more hip flexor muscle and quad muscle into the pedal stroke resulting in a shorter reach. Since they are not riding fast enough that being aero is a factor, they switch over to comfort and efficiency. When they attack or hit a flatter stretch they will revert back to regular riding form.

For me it's finding the best way for each climb while trying to minimize effort and to be as relaxed as possible. In longer efforts I try to use only the core and legs, putting my hands of the top's assures that I'm not using the upper body muscles.

AJ, that's what I had in mind. I'd think taking that more relaxed, better breathing position, would benefit amateurs like us, as well.

What I have always heard about this is much like what AJ said. The more relaxed, upright position with the hands resting on the tops keeps the upper body muscles relaxed and opens the chest for better breathing. I especially like this position when I am on a long climb where I can find a gear that allows me to spin along comfortably at 70-80 rpm.

If I am sitting and tackling a long, steady grade, I often put my hands on the tops of the bars. However, I use the brake hoods when standing on the cranks. I use the lower portions of the drops primarily to cheat the wind on flat stretches.

On a slow climb opening up your breathing is more important than the small aero advantage. It's also a break from the other positions.
Standing you grab the hoods for better leverage.

In the last two road races I participated in, speed of the climb and pack situation determined if I could put my hands on the tops. The key is in a steeper climb, you do not have to worry about braking so hands on the tops is a nice change in a long race. Climbing fast, one has to read the entire pack / pace line ahead of you and be prepared to brake, if necessary, which requires the hands on the hoods.

+1

I find that I'm more tense if I start climbing with my hands on the hoods. When I move my hands to the tops of the bars, it mentally and physically shifts me into another zone, and I'm ready for the climb.

Just to make sure I am keeping my hands relaxed while resting on the tops, I often wiggle my fingers and drum my fingertips on the bar. I read that somewhere long ago and I find that it works. Keeps me from gripping the bar tightly and tensing my arm and chest muscles.

Also, riding with your hands on the tops as close to the stem as you can, reduces the amount of leverage that Curtis pointed out. On a long climb it saves energy by not having to adjust your line all the time and leaving most of the upper body out of the equation.

I must be doing it all wrong. As soon as I want to put in effort- I slide forward on the saddle and onto the hoods. That position puts me into the position I need for me to climb.

Have to admit that Most others I see are back on the flats and more upright and I have tried that position- but it just does not work for me. Must come from years of Mountain biking where I am trying to keep the weight on the front wheel to stop it lifting.

Mostly I move around regularly on longer climbs, engaging slightly different muscle groups....let them all share the agony. Like others above, hands loosely on top sits me upright to improve diaphragm breathing but puts more stress on the quads-- eventually reducing the spin to that more piston like pedaling that tells us we've hit whatever our level of conditioning is calling steep. Even a slight movement or angle change can refresh you. When you run out of positions and start switching too frequently and to no effect, then you know the work has really begun.

The pro's are nothing like a 52 year old man such as myself. Emulate them if you want, I'll do what works best for me which means on climbs, I'm on the hoods.

I did a seated low cadence climbing ride today. I found myself on the tops and the hoods but my hip angle (bent over position) was always the same. I have been working hard this season to improve my climbing technique which is firing the glutes and keeping my feet in the tops of my shoes de-emphasizing the quads. The glutes are the largest and strongest muscle and get a good blood supply versus the quads which fatigue more easily. I keep a very light touch (very little weight) on the handlebars and steer the bike with my core as if riding no hands.

[QUOTE=spoke50;10620622]Watching Flanders live stream I notice all the pros are climbing with their hands on the top of the bars verses on the hoods. Probably a stupid question, but I'm always on the hoods. Is their an advantage to positioning your hands on the top of the bars while climbing? I suppose it would create a more upright position.[/QUOTE]

I am watching Flanders on Versus. The best way to climb on rough roads is to grab onto the tops. Hands positioned on the hoods is too tough on the wrist, arms and neck. And their hip angle is the same as when they are on the hoods. I completed a Paris Roubaix / Flounders type race two weeks ago. The pounding you take on the bike is incredible. I was grabbing the handlebars to keep try to control the direction as it skips over the bumps.

I do all long climbs on the tops, with just the occasional switch to the hoods for variety.

On Sat. we climbed the Montezuma Grade; 12 miles of constant climb between 5 and 9% but mostly at 6 - 7%. It took an hour 45 for me (Anza Borrego campground to the Summit), so that much constant climbing (no flat bits or descents) means I'm 90% on the tops, and with my hands pretty close to the stem too.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=144868
Both these guys were on the tops too.

Rick / OCRR

The Tour of Flanders if famous for its steep, cobbled climbs. If you have ever climbed a hill paved with cobblestones or bricks, you'd sit down and have your hands on the tops too. Having your hands on the tops puts more weight on the rear wheel, important for getting more traction, especially if the roads are wet. It's also more comfortable when the bike is hammering along on the rough roads.

Typically, you'd get on the brake hoods if you're out of the saddle.

L.

I read that for climbing it is best to have a very light grip on the bars. when I get out of the saddle I prefer to have my hands as high as possible, meaning not int the drops.