Sprinting, hillclimbing

[cmdr199212]

So, when I'm climbing.. actually whenever I'm out of my seat and standing up, I feel really inefficient. Whats the best way to improve technique for the best power transfer?

[bricky21]

Standing up to pedal is the most inefficient way to power a bicycle, but sometimes it has to be done. The only thing I can suggest is to keep your elbows in and try not to thrash around to much. Also only stand when you really need that extra power.

[KH1]

It depends on what you mean by feel inefficient.
Climbing out of the saddle requires much more effort physically so you should feel more exhausted/taxed when doing this.
It could be your technique/position on the bike but without any clue on what you look like climbing I suspect it will be hard for anyone to comment on that.
What you will get a lot of now in the way of advice is - do more climbing. Which in reality is about the best advice you can get. Everyone has different ideas/technique and really it's whatever you are most comfortable with but ultimately it comes down to how much you do.
The more you do the better you get at it. When I'm training for climbs I try to do more of what I think I'm struggling with (Generally that's climbing full stop). So I have a few sections of climbs in my area that I only ride standing - usually I'm knackered by the time I get to the top but I also see/feel the improvement over time.
Hope that helps.

[rustychain]

I spent a summer doing long out of the saddle climbs. I'm talking 5 miles + climbs standing and I'm a big guy. I learned to be more efficient climbing and got to the point were my heart rate was lower at a given power range standing rather then sitting! Part is adapting and part is learning proper form. It's a great skill to have and allows me to climb farther and faster as it uses different muscle groups. My advise is to practice those things you want to get better at.

[Rick]

I have the same weakness out of the saddle. I just can't do it for more than about 30 sec.
I am getting some advice from good climbers who say: 1. do it more to get used to it, 2. Find your own rythmn (practice) 3. Get really skinny.

[stella-azzurra]

I find that people who are

1. have handle bars set higher than the seat
2. have poor bike handling skills

will likely have a hard time when climbing out of the saddle or sprinting.

True? or False

[HillRPete]

So, when I'm climbing.. actually whenever I'm out of my seat and standing up, I feel really inefficient. Whats the best way to improve technique for the best power transfer?

I can just tell you what worked for me, by chance. During the winter I did lots of fell running, which apparently improved the muscles used when out of the saddle. My new bike also has a longer top tube, I'm more relaxed standing up now. Also with the improved strength I'm pedaling a faster rhythm (instead of using a higher gear), that seems to help too.

[MattSoutherden]

Everyone has different ideas/technique and really it's whatever you are most comfortable with

Exactly. Take a few of the Tour contenders' standing climbing technique.

Evans - Very hunched over, lower cadence. When I watch him I can almost hear myself saying left - right - left - right.

Contador - Super fluid when standing. High cadence, relaxed, head up, almost caressing the bike side to side.

Basso - Ever seen him up on the pedals?

The best thing to to get out there and ride some hills. Try a fast cadence, try a slower cadence. See what works for you. Be aware, almost everyone will naturally raise their power when standing to climb. If you want to get good at it, you need to learn to regulate your standing efforts so you don't go into the red and blow.

[Rick]

The best thing to to get out there and ride some hills. Try a fast cadence, try a slower cadence. See what works for you. Be aware, almost everyone will naturally raise their power when standing to climb. If you want to get good at it, you need to learn to regulate your standing efforts so you don't go into the red and blow.

That right there is something I need to work on. I feel so much more efficient sitting that I usually don't even try to stand until I am a 99.999% of supernova.
I am assuming that practice will give me more confidence to rise out of the saddle earlier, and climb out of the saddle at a more controlled pace.
The examples of Evans, Contador, and Basso are excellent. Each is a top climber; but completely different styles. You have to find what works for you.

Here is some good climbing technique:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn0FF1Kw ... er&list=UL

[cmdr199212]

Thanks for all the replies!! Btw, stella-azzura, I understand where ur coming from, working at a bike shop has def allowed me to see those bikes... lol. That isn't my issue tho.. I think that I will definitely be doing more climbing, and working on hill repeats. Any other suggestions?

[Tapeworm]

A distinction:- getting out of the saddle to pedal or to stand on the pedals?

[cmdr199212]

To pedal.. lol

[Tapeworm]

The distinction I was trying to make is the difference in being out of the saddle and pushing the pedals or hoisting yourself up and down only using the effect of gravity on your body to move the pedal. Two very different things.

[worstshotever]

Dave Kirk, a long-time custom frame builder who built Serottas for the Coors Light team back in the day, published a little blog write up on the distinction between out of saddle efforts on climbs vs. sprints. Here it is, for your edification:

http://www.kirkframeworks.com/blog/page/23/

[LouisN]

Standing up to pedal is the most inefficient way to power a bicycle.

Do you think CE knows that ?

Louis