Out of saddle hill climbing is.....

[Coggy]

....good for the but-tocks (as Forest Gump calls them)

Have just started adopting this method on some climbs and the buns feel like they have been torn off, chucked in a spin dryer and stitched back on.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Although it's a useful method to stretch alternative muscles, overall you end up wasting more energy by being out of the saddle. Unless you're racing someone and need a spurt of speed, I'd tend to stay in the saddle.

 

[Drago]

I must admit that as I turn into an old git I'm less happy out the saddle, but it but works for you then go for it.

 

[Coggy]

Although it's a useful method to stretch alternative muscles, overall you end up wasting more energy by being out of the saddle. Unless you're racing someone and need a spurt of speed, I'd tend to stay in the saddle.

I have only been using it when I have had to go from a standing start to a steep short climb to be honest. If I have momentum then I agree that sitting upright with hands on top of bars is a more efficient method.

 

[vickster]

Watch out for your SIJ, standing probably did for mine

 

[Coggy]

Watch out for your SIJ, standing probably did for mine

What what what ?

 

[vickster]

Sacro-iliac joint pain, common issue in cyclists and really quite painful - feels like being stabbed in the kidney!

 

[compo]

May be good for your buttocks but not good for your goolies when the chain snaps mid climb as I can testify!
(Half way up Birdlip Hill on the outskirts of Gloucester).

 

[Hacienda71]

Seated is best for anything sub 10% then it starts coming down to what you feel most comfortable with and the gearing on your bike. On a 25% plus hill you may find standing is the only way to keep moving if you don't have a mega low gear option.

 

[helston90]

I find standing only ever good for a bit of a position change and a leg stretch- other than that I know I'm wasting energy.

 

[biggs682]

May be good for your buttocks but not good for your goolies when the chain snaps mid climb as I can testify!
(Half way up Birdlip Hill on the outskirts of Gloucester).

ouch

 

[cosmicbike]

If I find myself standing then I know I chose the wrong gear at the bottom, an issue at the moment since climbs I used to do on the middle ring I struggle with and have no desire to try to change front rings under load..

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I thought saddle climbing was best till I went cycling on real hills up Norf, then I had to stand in the saddle and lean forward to drop the bike doing a wheelie!

 

[bash 73]

Being new and unfit i used to stand quite a lot but on my last 2 outings didn't need to stand and one of the climbs is a killer (for me)
i suppose getting a bit fitter means sitting is best!

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

I used to stand up when I first started with the road bike, now I just change gear