Hand Position On Steep Climbs
Wayne Plunger
Posts: 444
So always willing to learn off more experienced cyclists or seek opinion.
I was going up this climb yesterday, average according to Strava, 12.3% with some parts in the late teens.
One thing until yesterday I had never really considered on climbs was hand position. On lesser climbs I usually just spin up in my own time with my hands in the centre of the bars so to speak. However when I got to the really steep bit I found being on the hoods gave me a bit more "pull" for want of a better term.
Is there an accepted most economical / efficient hand position or is it just what suits the individual?
I was going up this climb yesterday, average according to Strava, 12.3% with some parts in the late teens.
One thing until yesterday I had never really considered on climbs was hand position. On lesser climbs I usually just spin up in my own time with my hands in the centre of the bars so to speak. However when I got to the really steep bit I found being on the hoods gave me a bit more "pull" for want of a better term.
Is there an accepted most economical / efficient hand position or is it just what suits the individual?
0
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Careful of lifting front wheel
End of the day if you get up there without stopping it doesnt really matter.
Easty commuter
Tripster AT
Eh? What is ‘opening up the body’? And how does being on the tops (hands closer together) facilitate that rather than being on the hoods, which would mean the hands were further apart? Do you have any evidence to back up this claim?
I’m with those who advocate whatever feels comfortable. And 12% isn’t exactly steep to the point that you have to worry about the front wheel coming up or need to be honking on the pedals out of the saddle swinging the bike from side to side.
I’ll often change hand grips from tops to hoods and maybe back again as the climb progresses. When it really ramps up to 20%ish + I may well stand for several pedal strokes at which point I will generally be on the hoods. I try to stay seated as it is more efficient and especially when it is wet I will try not to stand at all to keep the weight over the rear wheel to prevent wheel spin. Having a low enough gear to facilitate this is the key - I’m fine on 34/28 getting up just about everything seated around these parts with the occasional stand up to relieve the pressure and get the blood flow back to the nether regions.
PP
As above. 'opening up the body to breathe better' is a bit of a false premise. Firstly, because as Pete suggests, your hand position is no wider (in fact it's probably narrower). Secondly, hand/arm position has no particular relevance to the body's ability to 'breathe better. If that were the case, time triallers and team pursuiters on tri-bars, or track riders on 33/38cm bars would struggle..
My setups are all very comfy over long distances, but seeing as aero is less of a concern on long climbs, it means I can sit up.
Width of bars has nothing to do with it.
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour
12% not that steep? Bloody felt it last time I went up the Mortirolo.
Of course, it depends on the length as well as the steepness and for a long climb I use the tops. Its a more upright position that takes stress off your core and hip flexors.
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
But from memory, I have pootled up the local "wall" https://www.strava.com/segments/19974352 that hits ~20% in my Cube's lowest gear (34/32), sitting down and holding the tops... However, I almost certainly would have had my arms very bent while doing this, so still putting a bit of weight over the front wheel.
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo
This is what I struggle with on the really steep stuff no matter where I place my hands.
On the way up, especially at the 18/19% bits I was alternating between tops and hoods and breathing out of my backside!! That is why I asked the original question, could I have made life a bit easier for myself if I was better positioned.
KOM on this particular hill was 4 minutes faster than me but he is a pro with Katusha and many years my junior so don't feel so bad.
Cheers all.
On at-the-limit efforts like cycling up roads that steep, you end up just doing what comes naturally. Matters of style, such as where to put your hands or contrived ways of breathing, go out the window and you do whatever you can to keep going. Personally, I tend to climb standing more than average, but I also prefer slightly higher climbing gears than average. (I’m still dog-slow though)
If you didn’t watch the Vuelta this year, have a look at some of the steep mountain stages: apart from marvelling at the speed these youngsters can blast up 20% climbs, note that they all have different styles. Some stand most of the way. Others barely leave the saddle. Some are jaws agape and others gritted teeth. All get there well before us lot, nonetheless...
You may say that but a few people who have responded have said to move further forward on the seat. Was on a hill today, not as steep as previous, but tried this and I found I could definitely get a bit more leverage through the pedals which kept the relative speed up.
Some "expert posters" on here may find this hard to believe but there are some people in the world with a bit of humility who are willing to learn off others with more experience but can also differentiate between the genuine person who is trying to offer help and the know alls.
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...as I walk up.
I tend to sit up hands on top of bars if it's 4 - 8% spinning
On hoods and over the bars more if it's over this.
I find the hoods and out of the saddle leaning slightly forward when things get nasty 15% plus as by this time I'm grinding more and tend to lift the front wheel if I'm not careful.
Wynatts Pass was typical for me and at one point lifted the front wheel sideways about 6" which is not good for your composure lol.
I find if seated and steep I have to focus on not pulling on the bars too much but forcing the legs round. Helps the front wheel stay on the tarmac.
T.
There is no set "style" just what ever works long as you get up an over it doesn't matter.
Easty commuter
Tripster AT
You are not on road shoes then, or walking on the dirt at the edge?
I used to ride more on the top of the bars, now I tend to be on the hoods, I think it was a lower back strength thing that changed my position. What does the OP class as steep? The steepest climb I sometimes climb is 15% over 5km which has some challenging ramps hidden in that average.
Anything short and steep and I take it as an opportunity to get out of the saddle and use power to get to the top.
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