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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 23:00:44 GMT
Im intetested in peoples thoughts about being out of the saddle, mainly on climbs.
Ive read that staying in the saddle transfers your weight into the bike and thus lets the engineering of the bike/gears fake best advantage
But
Ive also heard that standing up gets your weight working to your advantage with weight coming down on the peddals to power up hills
But
Ive also read that using your weight is double edged because you are also having to lift your weight up more
But
Ive also read that getting out of the saddle provides a quick burst which can maintain momentum up smaller hills
So whats your view?
Is out of the saddle good, bad or good-short-term?
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Post by Rocket on Nov 10, 2014 23:30:06 GMT
Plenty of threads on here about climbing. What works for you in your current state of fitness is the one that you should choose for now while aiming to progress by mixing it up a bit. Hill work is a sure fire way of improving your game. Just remember, no walking as that would be a fail and if you can't measure it you can't manage it so get your rides logged and crunch the numbers for the same climbs.
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Post by ChrisD on Nov 10, 2014 23:49:20 GMT
Im intetested in peoples thoughts about being out of the saddle, mainly on climbs. ... Ive also read that getting out of the saddle provides a quick burst which can maintain momentum up smaller hills
So whats your view? ... This, (if by smaller you mean shorter but steeper), and the opportunity to work the muscles in a different way and so get a bit of relief in the quads is my take. That said, I feel sitting and spinning is way more efficient on the whole than standing and mashing.
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Post by Radchenister on Nov 11, 2014 0:37:40 GMT
You can kill your legs out the saddle but sometimes it takes a bit of brute force - use the standing wisely. If you're fit and experienced enough, you'll not need to ask how, when and why.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2014 8:16:26 GMT
I just react to what my body is telling me and that seems to be getting out of the saddle when things get steep. Everybody will be different but if I can maintain a high cadence while seated then I'll stay seated. Otherwise it's nice to get up and work some of the other muscle groups. It works for Contador....
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Post by taffytim on Nov 11, 2014 9:24:33 GMT
If you're fit and experienced enough you most probably wouldn't be riding this bike and posting on this forum B-) Most of us are here because we want to get into riding and learn how to cycle.
I'm still learning on how and when is best to get out of my saddle. This year I've gone from being 100/ planted on my bum to a stage where I'm trying to be upstanding wherever I can.
Your own fitness and out of saddle experience really does come into it, so do it when it suits you.
Spinning up hills uses far less energy and you don't bonk out at the top of the hill so much. That said on smaller rises you can stand up and power over the rise quicker than spinning, keeping your momentum up and increasing your average speed.
When you get better you'll wonder why you worried about it so much.
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Post by Radchenister on Nov 11, 2014 9:53:01 GMT
The bike is no gauge of fitness or experience, see @davefy7 's recent dust up with fancy bikes and taffytim you're a long term member yourself. The standing philosophy thing has been likened to a book of matches, if on a long hilly ride, done at good pace, most people will want to reserve their stores; your condition and training can increase the number of matches but most people will have a limit. Some racing snakes have a bigger book than others, Contodor is a bit special / unusual. Shorter rides can be done purposely aggressively, standing a lot to build power / ability but be wary of overdoing it over distance - I've had a few longer rides where later attempts to stand resulted in stabbing pain in the front lower quads, meaning sitting up hills was the only option left. Cold weather doesn't help. Bottom line is sitting / spinning is better for preserving legs than standing but sometimes standing helps keep the pace over steep peaks in longer climbs and rises on undulating terrain. Personally, I know that if it gets really steep say 20% - 25% ish there's not often much choice sometimes, as need to stand to avoid stopping, mid gradients say 9% - 20% is down to choice. Anything lower can be done in the saddle. All assuming you have your seat high enough and gears that suit you. If your gears are big and / or seat is set on the low side you're likely going to feel the urge to stand more.
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Post by robertsims on Nov 11, 2014 9:53:13 GMT
I stay seated as much as possible. Only stand if gets really steep or at top of hill to power over the top.
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Post by Radchenister on Nov 11, 2014 10:16:16 GMT
I suppose we should mention the exceptions; some rises just aren't worth changing gear for, often people stand for a quick stretch / reposition, perhaps on the flat when dropping to the rear of riding buddies to draft, you need a little boost to get back on, when climbing and steep sections feel hard, a few standing churns can help before slipping into saddle to quickly change into an easier gear, as it unloads the drive train a bit, sprinting of course and any more I've forgotten ...
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Post by Radchenister on Nov 11, 2014 10:19:08 GMT
... oh and careful in the cold and wet, steeps can have you wheel spinning.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2014 10:57:49 GMT
I think climbing technique tends to be adopted naturally by an individual rider. Froome is a sit and spin merchant. Contador likes to get out of the saddle. They are both good climbers.
I sit and spin for most hills which suits me fine especially when touring or on long rides.
One section of Hardknott Pass had my front wheel lifting and back wheel spinning within a few seconds of each other as I strove to get my body weight positioned perfectly to the steep ramp in question. All good fun.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2014 10:58:43 GMT
I stay seated as much as possible. Only stand if gets really steep or at top of hill to power over the top. Agree (although it happens all too regularly that I mistime powering over the top and completely blow up!)
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Mehran
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Post by Mehran on Nov 11, 2014 11:16:26 GMT
I'm out the saddle all the time for hills, I could go for miles out the saddle with a slow grind with out fatiguing to much(or getting anywhere fast). I think my body type suits meandering up hills out the saddle.
Also remember if out the saddle using different muscles then seated, then if you never out the saddle you never develop them and never get stronger. what I like doing was finding a hill run about 0.5-1 km long with about 5% rise...then sprint up it with everything you have have out the saddle...to the point were you feel dizzy,jelly legged and or sick at the end. a real out of puff job. then use that as you benchmark and keep trying it every week or other week.
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Post by joneve on Nov 11, 2014 11:52:41 GMT
... oh and careful in the cold and wet, steeps can have you wheel spinning. Wisdom - this happened to me up Cheddar Gorge. There's a section right near the start which is quite steep for about 5 metres, as you go round a corner - it was slick and I got out of the saddle and lost all traction (not knowing any better), which caused me to lose my momentum and stop.
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Post by joneve on Nov 11, 2014 11:53:16 GMT
I stay seated as much as possible. Only stand if gets really steep or at top of hill to power over the top. Pretty much agreed - but I usually go to early for the "power over the top" part!
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