Hills - Bum off or on seat?
- Thread starter Skibird
- Start date
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DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Seat...
Skibird
Senior Member
- Location
- Brighstone, Newport
Lol, you guys do make me smile 
. I find it really hard to sit and spin, often thinking it's never ending (hills are often a psychological problem for me), so usually end up standing all the way, and on a pretty steep hill, paying for it at the top (asthma) with burning for a good 10-15 mins (not really breathless for long). I'm only 5'3 and guessing quite light (NEVER weigh myself) and tend to stay in a higher gear for most of my ride, which I don't know is a good or bad thing but like to feel like i'm actually moving. I ride a MTB.
. I find it really hard to sit and spin, often thinking it's never ending (hills are often a psychological problem for me), so usually end up standing all the way, and on a pretty steep hill, paying for it at the top (asthma) with burning for a good 10-15 mins (not really breathless for long). I'm only 5'3 and guessing quite light (NEVER weigh myself) and tend to stay in a higher gear for most of my ride, which I don't know is a good or bad thing but like to feel like i'm actually moving. I ride a MTB.
Johnno260
Veteran
- Location
- East Sussex
Randomly, I was watching that when I got to your post. :-)
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Definitely a plodder here as well, and if that fails, then walk. 
Racing roadkill
Guru
The most efficient way to climb, is by maintaining as many contact points with the bike as possible. Seated climbing is therefore the most efficient way to do it. ‘Most efficient’ doesn’t usually equate to fastest, or most comfortable though. So to get the best balance, remain seated where the gradient is steady, and get out of the saddle in upwards corners / hairpins, and on any bits that ‘step’. If you’re after speed, at any cost, stand up, push your hips forwards, and downwards, and keep your shoulders down, and your head level. It’s not efficient, or particularly comfortable, but it is a way to maximise speed. Watch how Vincenzo Nibali does it, that’s about perfect.
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Johnno260
Veteran
- Location
- East Sussex
With me depends on climb and how fatigued I am.
Climb near my brothers house is brutal no idea on the incline but it’s long and sharp, and road is partially covered so almost always damp, I had a looney toons moment on that climb where I was getting zero traction was almost on the spot wheel spinning but getting no where, so had to sit and lean back.
I like climbs but avoid that evil one now.
Climb near my brothers house is brutal no idea on the incline but it’s long and sharp, and road is partially covered so almost always damp, I had a looney toons moment on that climb where I was getting zero traction was almost on the spot wheel spinning but getting no where, so had to sit and lean back.
I like climbs but avoid that evil one now.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
Sometimes I sit and sometimes I stand.
I used to stay in the highest gear I could keep turning the pedals in whilst standing up, now I tend to get into a low gear and keep my legs turning at a comfortable pace. I find that I'm no slower either way up a hill, but in terms of perceived effort, low gears and low torque is much much easier.
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
I stay in the saddle. I went over the bars when my chain slipped once, and I have no intention of repeating the experience. Not ever. A tarmac/face date doesn't float my boat.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Onto page 3 and still no one has given the correct answer. The best way to deal with hills is to ride around them.
