There are 3 basic positions for climbing on a mountain bike.
Seated: stay seated when there are sustained climbs with very few obstacles. When seated, you are primarily using your legs, keeping your hands light. You are generating power from the hips and glutes. You hinge at the waist to raise and lower your upper body depending on how steep the terrain is.
Crouched: this is a variable position and used when you are seated, then need to get over a small obstacle. You raise your bum off the seat 1-2” to allow the rock or root to roll under you. This relieves pressure from your under carriage and allows the bike to roll smoothly since you’ve unweighted the rear wheel.
Standing: this is used for steep, punchy climbs. Your arms and legs are engaged during this climb. Riders are pushing and pulling with each arm for each pedal stroke. This gets you over big obstacles and over the top of a steep climb. This position takes a lot of energy and isn’t as efficient for sustained climbs.
There is actually a 4th position, but you have to send us a email to ask what it is! (Support@womeninthemountains.com)
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