Standing while Climbing?

**Timbuk2**

What exactly is 'proper form' while doing a standing climb?

Is your ass supposed to be a very short distance above the saddle while climbing, or further forward (towards the handlebars)?

When I am doing a standing climb, I find it hard to pull the pedals up (well harder than when sitting on the sadle). Why is this? Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for the help in advance. (Sorry for the newbish questions).

SetOverSet

I don't know 'bout 'proper form' but personally when I'm standing, the saddle's not too far away from brushing the back of my thighs. It's natural to find it harder to pull the pedals up standing as your body's not braced against the saddle, if that make sense...

Raam

I think for me, my ass is nowhere near the saddle if I stand for a climb.

victorcarrera

Watching the pros on the Giro this week it seems there is quite a variety of styles. Armstrong is almost sitting on the saddle and looks as if he is walking up a stairs. Others seem to lean very far forward over the bars. I think the majority agree that climbing while sitting on the saddle is best.

lescol

Wouldn't the ass move closer to the handlebars as the gradient increases so that body weight helps? If it's just above the saddle what's the point in standing? Never thought about there being a "proper form". Maybe because it hurts too much at the time to think about.

bcmf

I tend to lean forward so when pushing down on the pedals my body weight is almost dirctlt over the pedals

Vélo

Raam wrote: »

I think for me, my ass is nowhere near the saddle if I stand for a climb.

That's because you don't have an arse...you've a hole in your back!

Raam

Aquinas73 wrote: »

That's because you don't have an arse...you've a hole in your back!

have you no horse you can go ride somewhere?

doozerie

Your position when out of the saddle will vary depending on a number of different factors, steepness of the climb being perhaps the most obvious. Your frame geometry, and your resulting standard riding position, is another important factor though, as described in this discussion which debunks the KOPS (Knee Over Pedal Spindle) method of selecting bike position.

And there is no correct answer to the question of whether it is "better" to sit in the saddle when climbing or to climb out of the saddle - it entirely depends on too many factors for there to be a single answer that applies across the board. Just listen to what your body tells you and respond accordingly - no point in asking someone else what is best for your body, and no point in telling everyone else what is best for theirs. In a previous discussion on this topic I posted some links to articles on this question.