To pump or to grind? That is the question...
08-20-20, 07:31 PM
#26
Pennylane Splitter
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Do what's comfortable for you. The normal response is 'sit and shift down', but here's "stand and mash" expert Chris Horner (red jersey) in the 2014 Vuelta a Espana beating Vincenzo Nibali, and winning the overall title the next day.
08-20-20, 07:51 PM
#27
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Well I'm 2.95 according to those calculations so I think the answer is to only ride a bike downhill!!
Fascinating answer and thank you for sharing.
I still can't get it out of my head that it all feels easier standing up. I just feel like I'm getting further quicker.
But it's hard to argue with the science you just shared.
I shall just have to keep testing.
Truth is I'm knackered when I get to the top whether I sit or stand!
Fascinating answer and thank you for sharing.
I still can't get it out of my head that it all feels easier standing up. I just feel like I'm getting further quicker.
But it's hard to argue with the science you just shared.
I shall just have to keep testing.
Truth is I'm knackered when I get to the top whether I sit or stand!
The good news here is that you can basically trust your instincts on hills in races. In most of the above situations your body will tell you when you need to stand or sit. It’s really not a great mystery – unless you overthink it. In this case, experience is the best teacher.
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08-21-20, 12:07 AM
#28
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Standing on hills, even steep hills, is easy. I can do it for hours.
Riding my bike up them, on the other hand ....
@livedarklions, @downtube42, and @79pmooney pretty much hit all the high points.
All these "here's how to do it Right" coaches are selling their systems. If you don't fit their system, ..... According to the How to Climb index, I shouldn't be trying so hard to climb out of my grave. That's not "science," it is numbers associated with a totally arbitrary concocted system which has more exceptions than validating data.
How to Ride a Bike: Put bike between legs. Put feet on pedals, Spin pedals.
Spinning pedals is optional.
If you are doing it at all, you are doing it right.
Riding my bike up them, on the other hand ....
@livedarklions, @downtube42, and @79pmooney pretty much hit all the high points.
All these "here's how to do it Right" coaches are selling their systems. If you don't fit their system, ..... According to the How to Climb index, I shouldn't be trying so hard to climb out of my grave. That's not "science," it is numbers associated with a totally arbitrary concocted system which has more exceptions than validating data.
How to Ride a Bike: Put bike between legs. Put feet on pedals, Spin pedals.
Spinning pedals is optional.
If you are doing it at all, you are doing it right.
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08-25-20, 10:00 AM
#29
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Thread Starter
What a load of fascinating answers.
I have been out a few times on some short very steep climbs over the last few days and tried both ways.
Suffice to say, I found that it all comes down to what feels right at the time.
Sometimes standing feels right when you're able to power up until you hit a break and then sit.
Other times I've felt like sitting and spinning and getting up with my lungs still in my body.
Like a lot of people have said, whatever works best. I personally find that standing is more fun and gets me there quicker so I shall continue doing that for as long as possible even if my body weight ratio calculation is screaming at me to sit!
Thank you all for these great answers.
I have been out a few times on some short very steep climbs over the last few days and tried both ways.
Suffice to say, I found that it all comes down to what feels right at the time.
Sometimes standing feels right when you're able to power up until you hit a break and then sit.
Other times I've felt like sitting and spinning and getting up with my lungs still in my body.
Like a lot of people have said, whatever works best. I personally find that standing is more fun and gets me there quicker so I shall continue doing that for as long as possible even if my body weight ratio calculation is screaming at me to sit!
Thank you all for these great answers.
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08-25-20, 10:40 AM
#30
Senior Member
I'd rather sit and and spin in a lower gear. Our "hills" though are generally pretty mild and that's how I like them.
08-25-20, 10:45 AM
#31
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Everyone is different. You could find a hill to your liking, spray or chalk a mark at the top & bottom. I have a stopwatch func in my wristwatch. Time both styles x times, give us a full report. Beware of breaking a pedal.
Last edited by grizzly59; 08-25-20 at 10:54 AM.
08-25-20, 11:28 AM
#32
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There is nothing I like more than powering over a hill in a big gear after hitting the bottom with some speed. You can always sit and spin if it doesn't work.
I call it "fat people tricks"
Ever since I started riding a lot of gravel where standing doesn't work well, I have mostly gone to lower gears and sitting on climbs.
I call it "fat people tricks"
Ever since I started riding a lot of gravel where standing doesn't work well, I have mostly gone to lower gears and sitting on climbs.
