General Cycling Discussion - Trainers improve climbing?

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RaleighSport
11-10-11, 05:25 PM
I don't know what resistance is like on most trainers.. but even in my lowest gear if I leave the trainer resistance up it's like trying to climb a decently steep hill, mines a combo mag/fluid trainer so I don't know if this is typical, but I'm almost certain I'm going to notice climbing improvement if I keep this up, is this for realz or is it just all in my deluded brain?

pg13
11-10-11, 05:43 PM
hmm question when you have the resistance up do you ride it like you would a steep hill or sitting down riding it like normal?
RaleighSport
11-10-11, 05:49 PM
sitting down, I read a while back you don't want to be on the pedals except as a last resort for climbing, I don't know if that one's propaganda either but it has served me well even if it is a placebo...
edit: woo 1k posts!

bikingshearer
11-10-11, 05:52 PM
Being in better overall riding condition will improve your climbing, so working out on the trainer, by helping keep you fit, will help your climbing.

This is assuming that the choice is between riding the trainer and not riding at all because of timing and/or weather issues. If the choice is between riding the trainer and hitting the climbs, hit the climbs. As a general matter, the best way to get better at/train for a particular cycling skill is to do it, over and over and over. For example, if you want to ride at 24mph, then ride 24mph. At first, you won't be able to do it for very long at all. But if you keep at it, the distance you can travel at that speed will get longer and longer. (Why you would want to is a different question. :rolleyes:)