Originally Posted by
bent eagle
You need lower gearing. Are you running a double or triple? What kind of bike?
You should always be in a gear low enough that you can spin at a normal RPM. Are you staying in a higher gear and trying to "muscle" your way up the climb? Lots of newbies do that.
I have a compact double. I dont recall what cogs I have in the rear, but I would say that I do most of my climbing in the second and third lowest gears. It doesnt feel like I am mashing the pedals too much. I would say I get up hills at around 60rpms. Sadly I have a ****ty Serfas bike computer that stopped working so I dont have an accurate measurement of that number. When I get into my lowest gear, often times it feels like I am spinning to high and feels like it makes me more tired. Does that seem accurate? Hell, I have had zero instruction or coaching, so I am really on the road of discovery without a map.