Originally Posted by joejack951
FiveTenFrank, where outside of Philly do you ride anyway?
To be on topic, the guys' replies have offered good advice. Do you know what gearing the guys you are riding with are using? For some of the hills in my area, I love having a 30 tooth granny ring and a 25 in the rear on my all weather bike. My climbing bike has a low gear of 30-27.
Joe, I ride in Ridley Creek State Park, Valley Forge, Fairmount Park. I have only had the bike out a few times this year.
In response to the other person who asked if I knew what my friends were riding, I know two guys are riding standard cranks as opposed to the compact that I am riding. I am not sure what type of rear cassette they are using.
I guess my problem is that when I am on my MTN bike, I am never really riding any long steep climbs. Most of the climbing I am doing are quick "power climbs" where I just hammer the climb hard and fast.
All of the climbs I have been getting dropped on have been long, steep climbs where I am ok in the beginning of the climb but fade about alf way up.