Originally posted by easyrider
Too many variables to simply answer. This depends on the type of hill (length and pitch) and on you and your technique.
Some Pros sit, some stand, and a lot switch back and forth depending on race conditions.
You can try this though:
Find a hill that you can do some repeated efforts on. Something fairly long and with a constant pitch. Ride up it sitting down and try to hold a constant speed. Observe what your heart rate does (you need a monitor).
Then, after a long rest (to decrease the effect of fatigue) repeat the climb in a standing position and at the same constant speed. Observe your heart rate.
Simple, but you might find that you learn a lot.
Originally posted by maarten
I once heard about someone who studied this. Seemed taht for easy to moderate slopes <10% siitting was the best way to go.
For real steep climbs +10% climbing en danseuse seemed to use less power.
numbers are about(I don't remember where I got the info so I couldn' look it up) Things also can vary personally If you like the one way more then the other the psychologic advantage can be bigger than the 2 or 3 beats your heart rate goes up
Originally posted by ricstern
Under given environmental and topgraphical conditions, then it would be *impossible* to use less power standing versus sitting at a given velocity. In fact, it's highly likely, that at a given velocity standing will require *more* power because you are increasing the surface area presented to the wind.
Ric
Originally posted by maarten
I presume that in steep climbs wind resistance is of low importance due to the low speeds. When standing up you can use your body mass to push the pedals. Sadly I dont rember where I read/heard it.
Still I agree with the fact that in the most conditions sitting is economically better, still if you are recreational, do what you like most better enjoy jourself then cycle 1min faster IMO.
Originally posted by easyrider
OOOH, yeah Ric, now that I think about my exercise phys classes (as an undergrad) I trust that you are right. Standing and going the same speed should produce a higher heart rate. Does this have something to do with the fact that you are in a "weight bearing" position?
Originally posted by ricstern
Under given environmental and topgraphical conditions, then it would be *impossible* to use less power standing versus sitting at a given velocity. In fact, it's highly likely, that at a given velocity standing will require *more* power because you are increasing the surface area presented to the wind.
Ric
mijenks said:I realize this thread is rather old, but I thought I'd use it to piggy-back. It seems that when I'm climbing, I actually go *slower* when I stand than when I sit (e.g. I am climbing at 12 mph standing, then I sit and can pick it up to 14 mph).
Does anyone else experience this? Any solutions? Perhaps my standing/climbing form is not up to snuff.
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