How to Find Your Balance Point on Standing Climbs

When you stand on a climb, do you have the tendency to lean way over the front of the handlebar, much more than necessary for the grade you’re on?

It’s something we often see riders do, but it’s a technique flaw that is easily fixed.

Here’s why you want to fix it: Leaning so far forward puts too much weight on the front wheel, which grinds the tire into the pavement and scuffs off speed. This actually makes the hill harder.

How to Position for Out-of-Saddle Climbing

The trick is to stay back a bit and feel for the “balance point.”

This is where your forward lean keeps your front wheel light while still letting you deliver strong pedal strokes.

Think about this on climbs when your front tire looks and sounds like it’s half flat. That might be unavoidable on super-steep hills.

But on most climbs, you’ll go up with less effort if you find the sweet spot between your wheels – your balance point.