Want more power on the bike while on climbs with less effort?
By Tom Danielson, CINCH Cycling
Bend your elbows when cycling up a climb.
Seriously. This one position change improves climbing power, control, and performance immediately on the bike.
Why Bending Your Elbows Changes Everything When Riding Up A Climb:
1. It Optimizes Your Pelvis Position over the bike
Bending your elbows brings your chest forward and lower over the front of the bike. This places your pelvis in a better position over the bike to produce power.
The result:
Your upstroke and downstroke angles shift to positions that optimally produce power, higher watts with less overall effort.
2. It Engages Your Core Into the Pedal Stroke
Here’s the technique:
Bring your elbow IN on the downstroke leg at the top of each downstroke.
What this does:
Your core helps translate the upper body movement you naturally use to balance and navigate steep gradients INTO creating more power in the pedal stroke. You’re not just pushing with your legs. You’re driving power from your entire body.
How to Practice This
Start Short:
Try the bent elbow approach during short threshold intervals (your climbing zones).
Expand Gradually:
Once you’re comfortable with the new position over the bike, extend it to longer efforts and longer climbs.
Focus on:
- Elbows bent, not locked
- Chest low and forward
- Elbow pulls in at top of downstroke
- Core engaged throughout
The Bottom Line
Bent elbows aren’t just about comfort or aerodynamics.
They’re a power position on the bike that:
✓ Optimizes pelvis placement
✓ Improves pedal stroke angles
✓ Engages your core
✓ Translates to higher power with less effort
Unlock the power you already have. Just bend your elbows
By Tom Danielson, CINCH Cycling
