Best bike for hills

[pubrunner]

I'm almost certainly going to have a go at the Cheshire Cat; I've heard about Swiss Hill and how it is possible to spin the rear wheel.

What I'd like to know is this - All other things being equal (gears etc.), would a sportier swb bike be less likely to spin the rear wheel or would a bike with more of a touring lwb frame be less likely to wheelspin ? Or would there be no difference ?

 

[jimboalee]

The SWB bike would be more likely to lift the front wheel on a steep gradient.
For hills, the best bike would be one that weighs about 15 pounds.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/articles.php?category=roadbikeshttp://weightweenies.starbike.com/

for some AWESOME machines.

 

[Blonde]

Rear wheel spin is caused by too much torque going through the drive chain into the rear wheel. You wont want to hear this, as I expect you will want to use the largest gear possible, as most people seem to want to for some reason, but it is simple to avoid rear wheel spin by spinning a smaller gear. You wont get rear wheel spin in a smaller gear that you can easily turn without putting loads of pressure down. This applies to staring off on a wet surface or on a wet drain cover, not just on steep hills. Putting your weight over the front end of the bike also helps on steep climbs; almost bend double over the handlebar/forks and you wont lift the front wheel - It doesn't matter what type of bike it is, it's more to do with technique.

 

[ColinJ]

Putting your weight over the front end of the bike also helps on steep climbs; almost bend double over the handlebar/forks and you wont lift the front wheel - It doesn't matter what type of bike it is, it's more to do with technique.

The trouble is on very steep hills in the wet! You will find that the dividing line between the front wheel lifting off the road, and the rear wheel slipping can be a very fine line indeed...

And also... damn, I've just realised that I've forgotten to eat anything for the past 10 hours - I'm outa here. Byeee!

 

[fossyant]

If you are doing the Cheshire Cat, any road type bike will be OK. Swiss Hill is really just technical - it's not that steep, but it's rather rough in places - the bike goes where it wants, it will come to a stop, and you'll be applying power..... so what comes in is smooth pedalling technique and possibly being able to sit down on it if it's wet - which means a small gear..... I can do it fine in a 39 x 21 in the dry, but it's not a pretty sight - out of the saddle, cursing, but I'd recommend maybe a 39 x 25 (or lower) as it comes after 90 odd miles - arms and knees won't be the best.....

You'll also feel as though your arms are coming off......

I've only ever done it pretty fresh as it's only 12 miles from my house, but it's fun in a group..... we'd usually throw it in at the start of a club run...you should have heard the 'groans'......

TBH match the gears with your ability, and realise, depending upon which circuit you do, you might need to add a few more if it's the 100 miler..... if anything to keep things supple.... 'barsteward organisers.....'

I'd also worry about the descent off Cat and Fiddle to Lamaload if wet - it's slippy in the dry going up.... and watch Blaze Hill coming down too..... I usually go up the bugger !!!

 

[a_n_t]

worry about the descent off Cat and Fiddle to Lamaload if wet - it's slippy in the dry going up.... and watch Blaze Hill coming down too..... I usually go up the bugger !!!

yeah, the cheshire cat seems to go down the climbs I prefer to go up!!

 

[GrahamG]

I've got a 30/40/50 triple and a 12-27. That way I don't have to worry about low gears, until I'm towing a trailer on tour of course!

 

[cheadle hulme]

If it rains, Swiss Hill is difficult to walk up in cleats, never mind ride up.

 

[Tombo 707]

Penny Farthing just like the one Hilldodger rides.

 

[RedBike]

To help prevent the rear wheel spinning you need to keep as much weight as possible over it.

Standing up will shift a lot of yiour weight forward and will greatly increase the chance of the rear wheel slipping.

Have a look at MTBing hill climbing techniques. Like this
http://www.ehow.com/video_2355467_mountain-bike-climbing-techniques.html
(There's probably a lot better, but this is the first one I found).

 

[Blonde]

To help prevent the rear wheel spinning you need to keep as much weight as possible over it.

Standing up will shift a lot of yiour weight forward and will greatly increase the chance of the rear wheel slipping.

Have a look at MTBing hill climbing techniques. Like this
http://www.ehow.com/video_2355467_mountain-bike-climbing-techniques.html
(There's probably a lot better, but this is the first one I found).

Yes, if you are sat down spinning a smallish gear your weight will be over the back end of the bike anyway, so it's easier to avoid rear wheel spin like that. However, if you feel you need to stop the front wheel from lifting off the ground on a very steep climb, you can try to move your weight forward whilst seated, or you can make it easier to shift that weight forward (without saddle pain!) by standing up. If you stand up however, try not to heave yourself out of the saddle by pulling upwards on the handlebars, as that is sure to lift the front wheel! It is possible to be standing up and still to move your weight towards the back of the bike if the rear wheel is in danger of slipping, but whether seated or standing, as ColinJ said, you'll need to find that balance of weight, so that you neither lift the front wheel, nor spin the rear one. Where your weight needs to be in relation to the front or rear wheel will change with the changing gradient of a climb. You just need to get some experience and a feel for it by practicing, both seated in the saddle and standing.

 

[jimboalee]

Here's a bike for climbing.

Exactly like mine, but Michaeli Scarponi has Dura Ace and Corima wheelset on his.
This bike... 15lb 1oz.

As for technique, I very seldom stand up. I keep seated and leg press my way up.
And that includes Holme Moss.

 

[a_n_t]

I very seldom stand up. I keep seated and leg press my way up.
And that includes Holme Moss.

yeah but holme moss isnt steep. once a climb gets over 20% its harder and harder to stay seated!

 

[jimboalee]

When a climb gets to 20%, its easier and easier to get off and walk.

I have proved to myself in the gym I can multi-rep 'alternate leg press' a heavier weight than the Force I can put on the pedal of the upright bike machine when standing up out of the saddle.

In fact, 25% is my threshold to lie down on the sidewalk.

 

[a_n_t]

When a climb gets to 20%, its easier and easier to get off and walk.

Never!!

I imagine walking up a 1:4 in cleats isn't too pleasant either!