I’ve been working on my weakness - hills. My Spinervals DVD has me out of the saddle quite a bit. If I’m more over my pedals, I really feel it in my quads. If I put more weight over my hands, the quads feel better but I feel less balanced. Is there a correct position/technique or do I just settle into what feels best?
Well, go with what works for you but here are a few thoughts:
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If you are riding a 78 degree + position search this website for Dan’s article on climbing on a triathlon bike. It is a valuable insight. I find you will climb differently on a tri (steep) bike than a road bike.
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If you use a Computrainer and watch your heart rate you will see your heart rate seesm lower as long as you are seated. Good advice from my roadie days was, on a long climb, stay seated as long as possible and use as SMALL a gear as is practical to maintain the speed you need to maintain. When “crunch” times comes you can shift to a harder gear and stand.
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Develop a rythum. Climb at a steady rate. Try to avoid “Pantani” style climbing where you are constatnly accelerating and decelerating. Steady and efficient seems to win the day.
Good question! Good luck.
If you are riding a steep bicycle and you'll be doing a lot of hilly races, try moving your seat back and shortening your stem the same amount. Ride the hills seated with your hands on the base bar like you are in a roadie position. Force yourself to stay seated. Once you get used to it, you'll climb much better, pass most of the people who are standing, you'll have used less energy and you'll be in a better position to power down the other side of the hill. Trust me, you won't notice the change in your hip angle, and you'll probably run better because you won't have tashed yourself on the hills. And remember the way to get to Carnegie Hall...........Practice,Practice,Practice