I noticed that when I climb, if I move forward on the saddle and stay in my aero position, I can generate more power than if I scoot back and put the hands on the handle bars. Apparently I do the opposite of what the norm dicatates. Maybe I need to get a bike fit again…
Do you have short femurs? Folks with short femurs often find they climb a bit better by scooching forward rather than backward.
What do you consider a short femur in terms of measures?
Are your femurs proportionately short to the rest of your body? I’m short, but my femurs are even shorter. Folks with short femurs don’t get the mechanical advantage afforded by sliding back in the seat that taller folks get.
What you describe is the proper way to climb in the aero position with aero bars. Scoot forward, choke up on the aero bars, and keep the cadence up.
Sliding back and grasping the tops works well on a road bike, but also requires some practice with that position as well to get the proper muscles trained (which are likely different than those used in the aero bar climbing position described above).