Problems with cross bike on hills

[Raleigh_Grifter]

The above is all you really need to worry about.
Most road bikes these days have compact double chainsets with 50/34 teeth, you have 46/36.
At the rear they usually have 11-27 or slightly higher, you have 12-27

What you currently have is pretty low gearing.
As I said previous, just get on and ride as much as you can. It won't take long to build your stamina and riding power.

Curses! This means it's just down to me being a lard arse.

More riding it is then, though I am tempted to try the 28c tyres.

 

[ianrauk]

Curses! This means it's just down to me being a lard arse.

More riding it is then, though I am tempted to try the 28c tyres.

28c tyres will help....marginally

 

[MaxInc]

More riding it is then, though I am tempted to try the 28c tyres.

The problem I see with that is that the inevitable progress will be credited to the tyre rather than you since at this stage you are likely to improve at a faster rate than a simple tyre upgrade Strava can be a very good motivator if you follow a few set routes several times and compare your personal bests for various segments.

 

[Raleigh_Grifter]

The problem I see with that is that the inevitable progress will be credited to the tyre rather than you since at this stage you are likely to improve at a faster rate than a simple tyre upgrade Strava can be a very good motivator if you follow a few set routes several times and compare your personal bests for various segments.

I've used strava all along, and have done 13, 13, 16, 24, 25 and 30 miles in my rides so far.

 

[MaxInc]

I've used strava all along, and have done 13, 13, 16, 24, 25 and 30 miles in my rides so far.

What I meant is that if you do for example the same 24mile trip several times, over the same segments and hills, you can see the progress you make by comparing your times and speeds with previous attempts. I found this a better indicator for my progress that just counting miles since a 10mile hilly course can require a lot more effort than cruising along on a 40mile flat stretch.

 

[Raleigh_Grifter]

What I meant is that if you do for example the same 24mile trip several times, over the same segments and hills, you can see the progress you make by comparing your times and speeds with previous attempts. I found this a better indicator for my progress that just counting miles since a 10mile hilly course can require a lot more effort than cruising along on a 40mile flat stretch.

Ah right, gotcha. yes, I've done about three different courses so far, so in the next few weeks I expect to go back over them. The weather plays a part too. Two of my earlier rides were in very windy conditions, which is quite disheartening.

My last two bigger rides have been on fairly easy courses. No major hills at all, just inclines. I need to get back to the hills and see how it goes.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I echo what people have said, it's just primarily a simple case of to get better on hills, do more hills.

However, for a tiny bit of technique - make sure you don't lose momentum into the hill. It's often better to push a little harder on the lead up to the hill, and keep that extra touch of speed for longer, than to see it coming, slow down too soon and grind up it.

The tyres won't make enough difference to notice, honestly. I climb hills on my cx's 35mm tyres with relative ease, very little difference to the road bikes 23mm. Extra psi may help - are you at the max psi for your tyres? Low psi gives a little bit of energy sapping suspension - though not a lot.

It goes back to what's been said - there may be a couple of thing that make a tiny, tiny, difference - but to make a noticeable one you need to get out there and start climbing

 

[Ciar]

Hi All,

I bought myself a Revolution Cross sport 13 about 4 weeks ago, so I'm still very much a beginner.

I eventually intend to use it for commuting (24mile round trip), but also on trails as well as day trips out etc. However, at the moment, I am mainly in training for the 63 mile Virgin Cyclone charity ride 29th June (Only 6 weeks to go!).

I haven't ridden for about a dozen years (I'm early 40's now), and only had an old road bike back then, so I don't think I've done too bad in having done 13, 13, 16, 24, 25 and 29 miles.

My problem now seems to be on the hills. I am struggling on anything too steep, or of any significant length. I'm having to get out of the saddle very early on steep climbs, as otherwise I would come to a stop, and even then I am finding it very hard. This charity ride has over 1,200 metres ascending, and only the 24 mile ride I did had any significant ascents (Over 500 metres), and it nearly killed me. When I was younger I actually used to enjoy climbing on my road bike, although it was lighter and I was probably only about 10 stone back then, so I don't think the problem is me and hills.

What's the main cause?

My beginner's lack of leg muscle power and fitness levels? (I usually play 5 a side once a week so not completely unfit).
The heavier nature of the cross bike as opposed to road? (11.9kg)
The grippy, thicker 33c tyres?
Does the lowest gear need to be on a smaller cog, more like a mountain bike ratio, to combat the slightly heavier weight?
Is it my extra weight? (14 stone on a 6 foot frame).

Or just a combination of all?

I'm a bit worried about completing this course purely because of the hills. They really do seem very tough going on this bike.

Any advice is welcome

Thanks

Hello mate, sounds a bit like me, i am early 40's restarted riding back in December, first time on a hill killed me, the guy who i train with for my first ride took me across the hills in Buckhurst Hill oooooh the pain! first off road ride a few months later less painful but the bloody hills!

I feel your pain, but as everyone has said with much more experience than me, they do get less painful haha, all the same best of luck and keep at it, I will be doing my first proper weekly commute in around 2 weeks, so really looking forward to it as i bet you will do soon.

 

[youngoldbloke]

It's simple really and to be brutally honest.
You are unfit and not used to riding a bike.
But hey, a good lot of us on here have been in the same situation.
You just need to ride, ride and ride some more.. then go for another ride and keep riding.
You soon become quicker and better at riding and climbing hills.

^ this. You have only cycled a grand total of 120 miles so far after all. Slicker tyres would help, but cycling fitness first.

 

[boydj]

28c tyres will help....marginally

Smooth, slightly narrower, road tyres, run at a decent pressure will help - particularly when it comes to the long ride you are training for. If you've not got a track pump, then get one and make sure that your tyres are up at 75 - 90 psi (or about 85 - 90% of the max indicated on the tyre wall).

 

[Raleigh_Grifter]

Smooth, slightly narrower, road tyres, run at a decent pressure will help - particularly when it comes to the long ride you are training for. If you've not got a track pump, then get one and make sure that your tyres are up at 75 - 90 psi (or about 85 - 90% of the max indicated on the tyre wall).

Yeah I've got myself a track pump mate. Will look into the tyres.

 

[avsd]

The bad news is I in my 50's and still hate hills. The real reason - I am too heavy (13st & 5' 8"). Two things will help you

1. Try to lose some weight - even 1/2 Stone will make a big difference.
2. Interval train on a hill. Find a fill that takes you 2-3 minutes to ride up and repeat 10 times. Keep doing this at least twice a week. Google interval training. cycling, hills for more details.

Finally it will not help with the charity event but read the rules they are a bit of fun and enjoy your cycling. 50 miles is something like the average cycled in the UK per person per year so I am sure you will finish the year above average.

The rules can be found at
www.velominati.com/the-rules/‎ and Rule 5 is quoted a lot around here once you have settled in

 

[Andrew_P]

I cruise up hills I used to have to walk up 2 years ago. So totally agree with Ian.

Rome was not built in a day nor will your Cardio and legs be match fit in a few or frankly 50 rides.

 

[Raleigh_Grifter]

[QUOTE 2454367, member: 259"]Honestly, having got back home and looked at the original Maxixs tyres mine was fitted with, I reckon you could improve things rapidly by swapping them for anything - they are extremely knobbly![/quote]

That's what I was thinking. Even compared to other cross bike tyres in the shop they seemed really chunky!

 

[DaveyM]

That's what I was thinking. Even compared to other cross bike tyres in the shop they seemed really chunky!

I changed mine for Specailized Armidilo's 28's seem a bit quicker on the road, but fitness improved fitness has made a much greater difference to me!