Posted by: RAHrider
Single speed climbing in my experience does more for your analysis of the climb than it does your power. I never found I got stronger for geared climbing after running ss. In terms of generating the power needed, you just end up standing and using all kinds of parts of yourself to generate the power needed (upper, core and lower). Seated cycling is a specific set of coordinated muscle firing that needs to be practiced specifically ime. Getting out of the saddle and wrenching a high gear up a climb does not really build those muscles nor the appropriate muscle memory.
That being said, once you start climbing ss, you never look at a climb the same. You start to notice small nuances in the trail that will allow you to rest or accelerate. No climb is ever just an all out effort, rather a series of explosive bursts and micro-breaks.
This is a very good point. I do know that with technical climbs I find it best to lower my seat a bit. I think the pay off is balance and the ability to move my body around whilst still having the ability to be explosive and push forward when needed (picture a dog humping a football.) Whereas single speed technical climb is more stand and mash, flail, hop.
Strong argument of an additional bike--single speed, perhaps even rigid. :)
