Why do we stand up while cycling up a hill?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Himal kharel
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bicycle
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
Himal kharel
Messages
79
Reaction score
0
why do we stand up while moving up a hill in bicycle?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Because you have not shifted gears properly. :smile: Standing up throws the whole weight of your body on the pedal so you can use the force of gravity as well as the force of you leg muscles to push the pedal when it get's too hard.
 
It's the same reason you stand up and pedal if you want to really put a lot of force on the pedals on a flat surface. Standing up let's your put your body weight into each downstroke of your legs. If you keep standing and go from a flat surface to a hill you will notice that your body stays straight up and down while the bike shifts backwards.