When Climbing A Hill...?

Question

Looking for your opinions here....

Do you find it harder to climb a hill when: pedaling standing on your pedals, or pedaling while seated in the seat?

Why?

Answer 1

DEARY ME . . . ! !

I would like to stand in the middle of the frame and get equal power and attraction ? ? ? . . BUT . . The wind resistance would be too great .? ? ? ? - Where do some of these posters get their Ideas from?

Its easier to climb a hill sitting down . . END OF STORY.

It may not be the quickest but it is certainly the most efficient.

Answer 2

The question of being harder (from an effort standpoint) when standing or sitting is one that requires a close look. From a stand point of efficiency, sitting wins hand down as you don't have to support your body weight. When actually riding a lot of other variables come into play. If you have been sitting for awhile it would be better to just get up and stand when climbing a short hill or one that comes up unexpectedly. The best reason is that when you stand you recruit a different muscle group, and will usually feel pretty good to just give your backside a break. On long climbs alternate between sitting and standing so you can utilize different muscle groups as they tire. On very steep climbs their are only two options, 1) get off and walk, 2) grin and bear it.

Answer 3

It depends a bit on the hill length and steepness.

For shorter, steeper hills it's generally easier to not gear down (as much) and just stand on the pedals and hammer over the top.

For longer, more gradual hills, it's generally easier to gear down somewhat and keep the cadence high ... and remain seated.

Mostly, though, the choice is totally personal. For folks who favor high cadence (regardless of terrain), they tend to remain seated for as long as they can. For folks whose cadnece is slower, they're often found standing up and mashing no matter what type of hill it is.

Seated can be easier because there's less wind resistance (the rider is hunched over the bars). On the other hand, when standing the rider can angle the body to apply power to the pedals at an angle that more closely resembles the slope of the surface ... making pedal effort more efficient.

Answer 4

Lately I've been walking up the hills!

Standing on the pedals is easier. You need to shift to a higher gear and just let your weight do the work.

Spinning in low gear goin up hill can be okay, but often just winds down after a while.

How steep a hill?

Answer 5

Watch the pros. Most of them will stay in the saddle for as long as possible and keep a steady cadence in a lower gear. When the hill gets too steep they will get out of the saddle and muscle up the incline. Standing up is less efficient because the bike rocks back and forth which will defuse your forward momentum. However, you can throw your body weigh into the pedal strokes instead of just your muscles.
So I guess the answer is, both.
Hope that helps.
Eric

Answer 6

It's more efficient to stay seated. Sometimes you HAVE to stand - mountain bike trails demand this at times for powering up short steep hills. Other times you WANT to stand to stretch, use your muscle in a different way to give them a break, putting your whole body into it, giving your butt a minute off the saddle. Standing uses more energy than sitting.

Seated is easier for most hills. Standing for the grades too hard to sit for. But this might not be what you asking.

Answer 7

If you pedal standing up you lose attraction on your rear wheel and can just go no where. But if you sit down you sometimes dont have enough power, so if you stand in the middle of your frame then it is equal amout of power and attraction. If you are on a road and not slidding then it is find to stand up. :)

Answer 8

Either can be harder, its down to corect gear selection and muscle. If sitting down, a lower gear, with faster peddle rate is desirable (Move your but back, but lean foward, pulling on the bars). Standing up enables you to pull a higher gear therefore getting you up the hill quicker, but can be tiring and may not be the best choice for long, slow climbs.

Luck

Answer 9

Try staying seated, with your hands on the tops of the bars, keeping your body as upright as possible, then stand up only for short bursts when needed.

Answer 10

sitting down will give you more power and efficency when pedaling. standing up will expent more energy and less power, but a temporary ease for the bigger muscles on your legs.

the answer depends on how long youre cycling.