Frame Type and Training

[onotoman]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post, so go easy :-)

I have a reasonable mountain bike. It has XT gears, brakes, Manitou forks etc BUT, I probably mistakenly built it all up on a very basic suspension frame. The rear shock is spring only and the frame is aluminium with steel trailing arm.

I did an organised 26 mile ride yesterday - mostly road with some track and with some pretty long and steep hills and I did suffer a bit! I completed it, but walked up a few of the hills. I'm 44 (old in cycling years?) but pretty fit, but my thighs are just not up to it yet!

This got me thinking for next year.

(1) I need to train more, especially on hills!
What's the correct technique for long hills? Stay in the saddle or get up on the pedals? What gears etc?

(2) I read somewhere that with rear suspension frames (especially cheaper ones that can't be locked out) rob a lot of the pedal effort instead of driving the bike forward. I'm coming to the conclusion that a rigid rear setup would be better as I mainly do road and track. I do ride tracks, so front suspension is probably still a good idea?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Best wishes

 

[tyred]

1. In my experience, climbing hills comes in time. It probably won't seem to be getting easier but you will probably be going faster for the same effort. I would stay in the saddle as it is easier than standing. If you find you really need to stand up even in bottom gear on a modest hill, you probably could do with a lower gear (you should have plenty of lows on an MTB anyway). Use whatever gear feels right. Some like to spin like mad in a very low gear, others like me prefer to grind it out in a bigger gear. Spinning is putting less strain on your legs but you will get out of breath faster.

Suspension adds weight IMO. If you don't need it, you're better off without. But on the bike you have, my (very limited) experience of suspension bikes would show that it needs a really smooth pedalling style on the road to prevent bouncing up and down.

 

[accountantpete]

The muscles and stamina will come if you select a technique as Tyred suggests and keep practicing.

Personally I am 53 and try to make life as easy on the body as possible so use a stiff road bike (and it doesn't waste as much energy).

 

[onotoman]

Thanks for the information - really useful. I think I'll get a rigid frame, then get out as much as possible over the winter, then hopefully I'll be able to enjoy the rolling Durham countryside next summer rather than struggling uphill so much.

Best wishes

1. In my experience, climbing hills comes in time. It probably won't seem to be getting easier but you will probably be going faster for the same effort. I would stay in the saddle as it is easier than standing. If you find you really need to stand up even in bottom gear on a modest hill, you probably could do with a lower gear (you should have plenty of lows on an MTB anyway). Use whatever gear feels right. Some like to spin like mad in a very low gear, others like me prefer to grind it out in a bigger gear. Spinning is putting less strain on your legs but you will get out of breath faster.

Suspension adds weight IMO. If you don't need it, you're better off without. But on the bike you have, my (very limited) experience of suspension bikes would show that it needs a really smooth pedalling style on the road to prevent bouncing up and down.

 

[onotoman]

Thanks Pete,

I think I'll go for a fixed frame.

With regards muscles and stamina, in the ride I was in at the weekend, there was a pretty nasty really steep hill that even had most club riders off and walking. Then along comes a guy on mountain bike, with trailer on the back with baby in it and pedals to the top - it can be done it seems
:-)

The muscles and stamina will come if you select a technique as Tyred suggests and keep practicing.

Personally I am 53 and try to make life as easy on the body as possible so use a stiff road bike (and it doesn't waste as much energy).

 

[accountantpete]

Thanks Pete,

I think I'll go for a fixed frame.

With regards muscles and stamina, in the ride I was in at the weekend, there was a pretty nasty really steep hill that even had most club riders off and walking. Then along comes a guy on mountain bike, with trailer on the back with baby in it and pedals to the top - it can be done it seems
:-)

I don't know what pedals you are using but a pair of clips or even clip-in pedals are really useful for climbing.They do need a lot of practice to develop the appropriate muscles but it is well worth the effort.