Hills...to spin or not to spin...THAT is the question...

[nando]

So...having a new bike has allowed me to improve greatly in speed (though the endurance part is something that I have to work on....I'm more of a cat).

I attempted a few different things over the weekend and tried to have different people coach me in different ways.  So...I shall pose the question here.

Going downhill....should putting it in a higher gear and keep spinning be used as a method or simply coast down?

If it were a casual ride...fine....coasting is good enough.  But...<insert your comments........now>  <BEEP>

[kgyoung]

Spin! (At least that is what I have always been told)  I was told that spinning while going downhill helps 1) with clearing the lactic acid out of your muscles that was built up while going up the hill and 2) you actually gain a little more momentum.  The only time I don't spin is if I am going really fast and can't balance while turning the peddles. Then I just put my knees and tight and get down low.

[ThePrez]

with my gearing, I can't get anything even with a high cadence over about 35 mph.  So, at that point, I just crouch down to the lowest point to get aero.  That will usualy boost your speed by a decent amount.  Yes, you could spin in a training situation, but for racing it depends on the speed of the group wether you spin or dive bomb it. 

[ajwier]

on smaller shorter inclines i spin but not like crazy fast spinning and on longer steeper more sustained climbs i usually push it in the big ring out of the saddle and i feel stronger and less fatigued and i am usually going about the same speed as if i was in the small ring spinning. i think you prob have to see what works best for you in diff situations