Question for all you climbers on the bike

I'm only a year into cycling, so keep that in mind.  But for me, I find that I do much better overall when I keep my normal cadence (~85-90) and spin in a smaller gear up the hill.  I'm far less tired and I don't think I gain much in speed by slowing my cadence.

My theory is to go steady up the hill and then power over the top.  I've managed to pass a bunch of people in races doing this because they've mashed up the hill and are then too tired to power over it.

There are times when you will benefit from being about to hold a steady tempo uphill (longer races with longer hills) and times when you need power (hills on short courses).  Depending on your races and goals each skill set can be applicable.  Personally I find it very hard to hold back on hills in training and just try and attack each one I come across.  I'm only planning on racing short course in the near future though so it works for my goals.   

It is one thing to "attack" small rollers (like 1/4 mile climb or less).  It is another to do that on a climb that is long.  You will simply blow up!

To the OP, there is no right or wrong, it is whatever you can maintain consistently up the hill.  Personally ......... and it is just me ...... I prefer to spin up the hill.  Why?  Because in road racing you need to have the ability for rapid acceleration if someone jumps and a higher cadence allows you to do that.

But a triathlon isn't a road race.  You simply need to be able to maintain the level of effort and power that you can to make it up and over with as little energy wasted as possible.

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+1

depending on the course, hill size etc.

personally i like to look at my hr and keep it at certain level when I have a bridge ride (no hills in florida so I have to find big bridges and just do them over and over) unless my goal is to get my hr to a certain zone, i will just move to big chain ring and spin up easy.  but if lets say i am on a work out day that calls for 10 x 2 min climbs in z4 guess what.....