Hill climbing advice

[lewis1641]

hills are a definate weakpoint for me. never know whether to stomp in a high gear or spin in a low one.

i'm usually better uphill on a singlespeed than a geared bike as i dont bugger about all the time changing gears.

my approach on a single speed is to carry as much speed up the hill as i can and try and keep the pace for as long as i can.

this is all very rich advice coming from me, as anyone who has ridden with me will testify, i really am hopeless up hills.

not much better going down them either...

 

[Emoco]

I enjoy hill climbing, I always remember climbing a hill on my Hoffman BMX and get a 'well done' from someone when I was younger.

I tend to stick in the same gear, and focus on certain points to get to, I'll think 'I'll get to that speed bump and then I'll be okay and stop' tricking my brain into thinking it will rest soon, then I do it with a stop sign or something and so on.

 

[Anthony]

Technique-wise, standard advice is don't charge the bottom of a hill, don't start it in a higher gear than you can complete it in, don't use your energy too early, generally don't decelerate. Psychologically, don't hate the hill, like it. Don't look at the top of the hill, way in the distance, just look down and pedal (subject to safety). And never stop or take a rest at the top, always change up and power on.

In general though, I actually can't tell what your problem is. If you're tired at the top, so what? That's good. If you weren't tired, you couldn't have attacked it enough. On the other hand, if you're so exhausted that it spoils the next section of the ride, then howsabout taking it a bit slower next time?

Obviously you could set up your bike for commuting, with summer tires, more air in them and more air in your rear shock. That'll make it faster, but if you go up your hill faster you'll still be just as tired at the top! Unless you have it in wallow mode, there's nothing wrong with a full-suss bike uphill. My Element is my fastest climber, at least off-road, because the traction is so much better than a hardtail.

 

[lewis1641]

might take you all day but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgIL6eHHgZU

 

[al]

Climbing is the only part of biking I'm any good at!!


Maybe because I live at the top of a 1/4 mile climb and I live in a very lumpy part of the country.

My advice would be...

1, relax your grip on the bars and drop your elbows slightly,you're not trying to wrestle your way up!

2, don't look too far up the hill, ten feet in front is good.

3, think light,sounds stupid but if you feel light you ride light. (trust me I'm not a Doctor)

4, Keep your pedal strokes smooth.

5, do 'circles' with your cranks SPD's were developed so you could make use of most of the pedal stroke,so do just that.

6, Don't be affraid to get off,if no one is around. Letting air down on the rear tyre as a 'get out' can work. Just remember to take a pump with you!!

7, If all else fails,buy a motorcross bike!!


al,

 

[djoptix]

You have GOT to change bikes. End of.

Even a £100 hack out of the Road For Sale section will be quicker up hills than your full bounce monster. If you want to get fit, go fixed. I commute 20 miles a day on a flat bar, fixed road bike - it helps massively with MTB climbing too, as it gives you the mentality that yes, you really can just push a big gear all the way up a hill.

 

[andrewl]

I am not a lover of rigid bikes and love my full bouncers and I know this is a hindrance due to the suspension sucking the life out of my pedal strokes so what can I do? cheers fellas

To say that hardtails or rigid bikes climb better is a myth. Full suspension bikes on a long steep technical climb will more often than not out climb a their lighter and stiffer brothers because they have much better traction.

 

[stevek]

To say that hardtails or rigid bikes climb better is a myth. Full suspension bikes on a long steep technical climb will more often than not out climb a their lighter and stiffer brothers because they have much better traction.

If you have good technique. In the scenario where you don't have lockout and you're "honking" out the saddle a FS would lose out to a rigid.

 

[legrandefromage]

I am not a lover of rigid bikes and love my full bouncers and I know this is a hindrance due to the suspension sucking the life out of my pedal strokes so what can I do? cheers fellas

To say that hardtails or rigid bikes climb better is a myth. Full suspension bikes on a long steep technical climb will more often than not out climb a their lighter and stiffer brothers because they have much better traction.

on the road they are rubbish.

something cheap off here, risers if you dont like your arse in the air and some fairly narrow slicks, wide enough to be comfy but narrow enough to feel fast.

Mr. Big Ring.

 

[Jonnyb2306]

Try something like this.

I have just finished converting my mbt for a trip to the Alps in 2 weeks. You can view it in the attachment. It goes like stink and climbs like a rat up a drainpipe. Skinny tyres and a sympathetic cassette help alot.[/img][/url]