jesspal

I just returned from CO, did a ton of climbing there. I was using a stem that looked like it had a woody. Anyone else use a different stem for long tough climbs? I live in FL and obviously there are no hills there so I typically use a more aggressive riding posture.

Jynx

unnecessary to get a "climbing" stem. Any decent stem will be stiff enough for all riding.

umd

I think he meant that he had his bars jacked way up...

I use the same stem all the time. Agressive setup, lots of climbing. I usually do long climbs with my hands on the tops so even an agressive setup in the drops is pretty upright on the tops.

Jynx

ahhh i see. again probably unnecessary but i do not do enough climbing to know.

jesspal

Yeah that is pretty much what I was wondering, thanks for the answer.

Mr. Beanz

I have my setup as high as possible for the flats and the climbs. I'm big boned so having a higher setup benfits me on both. Makes for an upright climbing position and easier to stay in the drops on the flats. Flats usually on a very windy day as most of my riding is done on the hoods.

I'd prefer a woody stem on the flats too. IN MY CASE, I'd prefer the comfort on a century over a more powerfel sprint position.

umd

I assure you that I am quite comfortable on a century. Having bars low does not mean that it has to be uncomfortable, it depends on the proportions and flexibility of the rider.

jesspal

Yeah I don't have any problems riding a century with my normal setup +/- 6 degree stem. I'm gonna swap the woody for the 3t arx pro that I use on my CAAD9. I really like the quality of the stem and it is a very cheap swap.

Mr. Beanz

Pretty much why I stated "bigboned rider" and "IN MY CASE" in BIG LETTERS.

umd

Just clarifying that a low position does not have to be uncomfortable.

terrymorse 

Some will say that a climbing bike should have a shorter stem and higher bars. This is because you can put more force into the cranks if you sit up tall and open up the hip angle. The ideal upper body position is a compromise between aerodynamics (the "aggressive" position) and leg power (the "upright" position).

Experienced cyclists do most of their climbing with hands on the tops, since that allows them to sit up nice and tall, putting lots of force into the pedals.

DaveSSS 

I ride in the Colorado mountains 4-5 days a week (weather permitting). I ride a very aggressive 11cm drop on a 51cm frame. I disagree with the idea that climbing requires either a shorter stem length or higher bars. When I'm pedaling seated, I use the same brake hood hand position that I'd use on flatter terrain. I rarely put my hands on the tops of the bars. If I really want to put out a high level of power, briefly, I lower my torso even more. It seems to help recruit the glutes. Not using the glutes while climbing is a common mistake.

After you get to the top of a climb, you have to come back down. I want enough stem length so I can pedal with my hands in the hooks, where I can reach the brake levers, with my upper back in an aerodynamic position, and not hit my arms with my knees. That's where the 11cm drop comes into play. I can get low without bending my arms and have knee to arm clearance, using that much drop.

terrymorse 

It seems you're using technique to overcome an inefficient climbing position. If you look at cycling biomechanics, you'll find that sitting upright is the most efficient position for putting force into the pedals. The taller you sit, the more open the hip angle, and the more force you can put into the pedals.

DaveSSS 

As a mechanical engineer, I'll continue to disagree until you post some research that substantiates what you're claiming. Anyone can write stuff with no supporting info. I use a power meter that proves that I can produce more power in the position I use. I can ride the Mount Evans hillclimb route to 14,000' elevation in a time that would nearly always put me in the top 10 of my age group (50-59), so I'm no slouch when it comes to climbing. The pros don't ride real upright in the mountains and they don't change their position for mountain stages that I'm aware of. The stems are still long and slammed all the way down, for the most part.

Maybe you should tell Alberto that he should use a flipped up stem, so he could climb better.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...s-madone/80312

umd

You do usually see the pros on the tops on long climbs when not attacking. But I agree about the bike setup.