Tips for hill climbing on a mountain bike

Irish_Tom

Irish_Tom

Irish_Tom

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18 Oct 2002
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Since the beginning of the month I've been working on my hill climbing, and I'm pleased to say I've seen some definite improvements.

However, I'm struggling with one specific aspect.

I've been riding at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire if anyone knows it. There are two routes, blue and red, and at the moment, they are both very muddy. There are certain parts of the red route that are really steep and this is where I'm struggling.

I get to a point where I've lost all forward momentum and, as I power down, the back wheel starts to spin. If I shift my weight backwards to counter the spin, the front of the bike lifts off the ground and I start to fall backwards. Similar things happen if I try to stand out of the saddle (if anything it makes it worse as I raise my centre of gravity).

By this point in the climb I'm already using the granny ring at the front and big ring at the back (I'm not very strong or fit) so I can't really use gearing to help.

Anyone got any ideas of what I can do better?

Cheers!
 
Using spd pedals and cleats really helps in this sort of situation. Putting out smooth, constant torque is much better for grip than the jerky movement when just pushing the pedals on the down stroke.
Not everyone likes clipless though, especially off-road. It also takes a while to learn how to change your pedaling technique to make best use of them.
 
If the south downs over at qecp is anything like the bits I've ridden when it's muddy then that stuff is just plain slippy. Its clay on top of chalk.

What.tyres you running?
 
Thanks guys.

Touch, a few of my mates are riding SPDs but I'm not confident enough for that yet. I figure if I can't stay on the bike using flats, I'm just going to hurt myself with clips. Although I appreciate it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation.

Neil, you're right, it is super slippy. However, yesterday there was another rider who sailed past me without getting a sweat on… Have you see the Harry Einfield sketch with the jockeys? It was like that! :p

Geuben, funnily enough, I spent last watching almost all of the GMBN how to videos. The thing is, I'm pretty much doing What they're saying, I just can't get the balance right between wheelie and wheel spin… You're right about the momentum though. I'm just not fit/strong enough yet to keep it going on the steep bits.

Begbie, haha, it's definitely effective but not quite the solution I'm looking for. :D
 
Was going to say.. What tyre are you running up back?

Something with chunky paddle like knobs may help maintain traction.. But obviously that's the opposite of what you'd want on more firm terrain.

Tyre choice is always a compromise, you need to pick something that's suitable for 80/90% of your riding and just deal with it for the 5/10% it isn't suitable for..

The problem with slippery uphill climbs is that your weight will be more forward so you don't tip up.. This means there will be a lot less weight over the back wheel, and hence less traction which doesn't help matters.

Tyre pressure also plays a massive difference.. But that's another very long and complex discussion.. I'd suggest a digital guage so you have a reliable tool to benchmark against, and experiment a bit.
 
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I should have mentioned my setup really shouldn't I!

It's a GT Zaskar (26er), and I'm using Schwalbe Rocket Ron Evo Pacestars at 40psi.

I tried to lower the pressure down to 35psi for more grip and instantly got a pinch flat…

I think you're right though matty. Realistically the surface isn't going to be this slippery all-year round and there's not a lot of point setting the bike up for the small section of the route that I currently can't do.

I'll just have to focus on the things I can improve like stamina and strength. :)
 
Rocket Rons at 40psi, in the mud. I think I can see your issue.....

Pinch flats at 35psi is weird, I have my tyres lower than that and I'm a fat git. 90+kg with kit.
 
Hmmm, maybe it wasn't a pinch then and just bad luck but I definitely got a puncture! Might have just been coincidence that I'd dropped the pressure before hand.
 
Pinching at 35 does sound strange. Unless you're slamming your wheels into hard things.

Don't think I've ever run tubes over 30, tubeless lower.
 
I went out again today running at 30psi, it was definitely easier and I didn't get a puncture.

I can't say how much of the improvement was down to the tyres, and how much was down to improved stamina, strength & technique (and slightly less mud), but I shaved 5 and a half minutes off my time and recorded 16 PBs on Strava (practically every segment).

There were some steep sections that I couldn't get up last week that I managed to do this week so that's encouraging.

I'm definitely improving!
 
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