The gearing is just too high - what should i do?

[B-B-BikeyStrike!]

A campag cassette won't work with your wheels if you have Shimano or Sram - the splines and spacings are completely different!

The joy of proprietary standards. So only SRAM and Shimano are interchangable then i take it?

 

[Tollers]

Correct

 

[yashicamat]

Another thought; OP, do you use clipless pedals? I find that I can pedal far more efficiently with my SPDs and allow me to climb hills (I live on the edge of the Peak District) on a 74" gear on my SS I would never have thought possible. Clipless pedals do seem to be a point for argument on these forums and apologies if you already use them. Just thinking as it is worth trying anyway and if you can get to grips with them, you may find that the current gearing is adequate.

 

[longers]

Which leads me to another question - how can i train up for hills?

As Tollers says keep riding them, don't overdo it but push yourself on them from time to time and keep on doing them.

Sprinting or picking the pace up at the brow of each hill once you can ride up it with more ease is one way to get more from a familiar route.

 

[Tynan]

practice on hills, blokes go up the worst of them on fixed after all

 

[B-B-BikeyStrike!]

Another thought; OP, do you use clipless pedals? I find that I can pedal far more efficiently with my SPDs and allow me to climb hills (I live on the edge of the Peak District) on a 74" gear on my SS I would never have thought possible. Clipless pedals do seem to be a point for argument on these forums and apologies if you already use them. Just thinking as it is worth trying anyway and if you can get to grips with them, you may find that the current gearing is adequate.

Good point, I've ordered some and am waiting for them to arrive. I've been wearing some hikey shoes on top of SPD pedals, not the best interface arrangement. I'm sure SPD will make a difference.

practice on hills, blokes go up the worst of them on fixed after all

They dont, they walk up them!

 

[redjedi]

I've got a similar set-up on my Bianchi after moving from a Triple. It took a while to get used to the higher gears and before I broke my arm I was starting to find hills a lot more do-able. Clipless pedals will help (if you aren't already using them), also practise riding out of the saddle. Going up hills (i find) is always easier standing up and powering up as quickly as possible. It's also easier on the knees ans allows for more pull on the up stroke (clipless again).

What gears do you normally ride in? Try building up your strengh by using the large chainring as much as possible. You'll then have a nice drop to a lower gear when the hill get too much.

 

[B-B-BikeyStrike!]

Try building up your strengh by using the large chainring as much as possible. You'll then have a nice drop to a lower gear when the hill get too much.

The man-up option in other words - I'll try this approach along with some SPD shoes.

 

[Aperitif]

Good point, I've ordered some and am waiting for them to arrive. I've been wearing some hikey shoes on top of SPD pedals, not the best interface arrangement. I'm sure SPD will make a difference.




They dont, they walk up them!

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=40730 is an example of ball-busting slopes, all tackled by mikee on his fixed. He's quite elderly too...
There's only one hill in Richmond Park that gets a bit tricky upwards and I guess you just need to do more - perhaps relax and start spinning a lot earlier in the climb. I hate lugging my sorry ar$e uphill, but it becomes easier. I haven't done RP in a while, but use a 39/21 - something like that and it gets me up and over at a steady 9kph!

 

[jay clock]

I had the same problem exactly. I switched to a compact 50-34 and also put a 12-27 on the back. The time taken to get up a given hill was the same but I was much less knackered

 

[jimboalee]

You could be saying one of two things.

1/ "Chris Boardman doesn't know how to gear a bike", or

2/ "I'm not strong enough".


FWIW, Chris Boardman knows about bicycle gearing.

 

[lukesdad]

I ve put a post in the beginners I know my place thread you may find usefull about a technique for improving your climbing.

 

[gavintc]

You could be saying one of two things.

1/ "Chris Boardman doesn't know how to gear a bike", or

2/ "I'm not strong enough".


FWIW, Chris Boardman knows about bicycle gearing.

A really helpful comment to a newcomer to the sport. Come on, show some encouragement. And for what it is worth, 50-34 chainsets are quite common these days - even on the club run.

 

[B-B-BikeyStrike!]

You could be saying one of two things.

1/ "Chris Boardman doesn't know how to gear a bike", or

2/ "I'm not strong enough".


FWIW, Chris Boardman knows about bicycle gearing.

Whats with the frosty attitude?

Chris Boardman has leg muscles like ancient oak tree's. He can make mince meat out of a bike with high gears.

I on the other hand, am not Mr Boardman, and am seeking advice on this board from *helpful* members on the best way to defeat hills.

 

[B-B-BikeyStrike!]

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=40730 is an example of ball-busting slopes, all tackled by mikee on his fixed. He's quite elderly too...
There's only one hill in Richmond Park that gets a bit tricky upwards and I guess you just need to do more - perhaps relax and start spinning a lot earlier in the climb. I hate lugging my sorry ar$e uphill, but it becomes easier. I haven't done RP in a while, but use a 39/21 - something like that and it gets me up and over at a steady 9kph!

I was jesting what I joked about fixi riders! Most of the fixie's I've seen are ridden by Shoreditch trendy-bellends, but anyhoo...

I'm gonna train myself up them hills I think. I'm too tight to buy a new chainset, so i'm taking the cheap/manly option.