Bike Forums - Standing while climbing -- does it really help that much?

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- - Standing while climbing -- does it really help that much? (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/603163-standing-while-climbing-does-really-help-much.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe_Mo (Post 10039274)

I think people who stand while biking for more than just a stretch, have very weak legs and need to train more.

I hope you're joking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikewer (Post 10056679)

The "old wisdom" regarding standing or not involves the rider's size.

If you watch Le Tour or other pro races, you'll notice that most of the guys who are "dancing on the pedals" on ascents are smaller. Think Marco Pantani. The guys who sit in the saddle and slog it out are bigger. Think Indurain, Ullrich...Guys like that. Most anyone can power over a short, steep hill by notching up a couple of gears and standing, but to keep it up for a longer climb definitely increases the demands on the body.
At around 200 pounds, I find that even brief periods of standing would send my heartrate monitor up towards the red zone, whereas I could sit and spin in lower gears without problems.
Selecting a proper gear is critical; it's going to be higher than the gear you would use to remain sitting.

Nice theory, cept I weigh 240 and often get out of the saddle to LOWER my heart rate, though I can also 'dance on the pedals' just fine too.
There is no one-size fits all 'best way' to climb...everyone is different. Do what works best for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanSeven (Post 10067206)

I hope you're joking.

I am not. I feel that getting out of the saddle makes my legs work harder and less efficiently because now they have to hold up my entire weight while pushing. And I weigh only 165.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joejack951 (Post 10066887)

Likely, the only advantage you are getting by using the big/big is not losing the momentum that you otherwise would if you shifted into the little ring.

I might agree with this if it wasn't for the fact that I'm comparing riding up a hill in the small ring verses riding up the same hill a couple hours later while using the big ring. Absolutely nothing to base this off of other than feeling. I am much stronger anaerobically verses aerobically.