Standing on the pedals vs. sitting on the saddle

It's a no brainer that sitting in the saddle during a climb is more economical than standing, right? It's true that when you're standing on your bike you're not only applying pressure to your pedals but also supporting your entire body weight. So while you may get more power per stroke while standing, for the same perceived effort the aerobic cost is increased.

But not all of us are the same and not all hills are the same, so it's important for each biker to find the technique that suits them best. In general there is a simple way to determine whether standing or sitting is best on a long gradual climb.

The full story appears in the July 2012 print edition of Silent Sports. Don't miss an issue! Subscribe online, here.