Climbing well is not about steady riding at or near your FTP. In fact, before you should be worried about your threshold power, you must learn to master the four components of climbing performance.
I made a video to help demonstrate these components from one of my most memorable moments climbing on the bike, Brasstown Bald.
1. Seated power climbing. You need to be able to ride in a way on climbs in the saddle that you can hold or maintain a target rhythm and pace during the climbing effort. This is done with a combination of lower cadence and a relaxed, more upright body position. Use this for shallower gradients.
2. Standing power climbing. You need to be able to ride in a way on climbs out of the saddle that you can hold or maintain a target rhythm and pace during the climbing effort. This is done with a combination of lower cadence and a relaxed more centered body position. Use this for steeper gradients.
3. Seated acceleration climbing. You need to be able to sharply increase the pace in the saddle on climbs to be able to sharply increase the target rhythm and pace during the climbing effort. This is done to gain more speed and or to drop a competitor. This is done with a combination of a higher cadence and aggressive, more forward body position. Use this for shallower gradients.
4. Standing Acceleration climbing. You need to be able to sharply increase the pace out of the saddle on climbs to be able to sharply increase the target rhythm and pace during the climbing effort. This is done to gain more speed and or to drop a competitor. This is done with a combination of a higher cadence and aggressive, more forward body position. Use this for steeper gradients and or for when you need the biggest punch.