Originally Posted by dwoloz
Im a MTB newbie for the most part and have recently started trail riding
I think Ive established that my main issue is with climbing. For some steep inclines I just lose it and either nearly flip on my head or come to a dead stop and barely escape my SPDs before toppling over.
I ride a Gary Fisher Montare hardtail, Marzochi Bomber, SRAM 9spd, etc. I consider it a pretty nice bike and its all aluminum so its pretty damn light. From what Ive been told its an excellent setup specifically for climinging. Sooo...Im ruling out the bike on this one, it just must be me.
Situation is I come to a sharp incline, if I gear down low I find my front tire wanting to come up off theground and me tumbling backwards (ouch)
If I keep a mid gear I can make a good ways up the incline but then just come to a dead stop.
Is there some technique here that Im just not using?
Tips?
Pointers?
Thanks in advance for any advice
Do you have bar ends? That's first. The kind with a bend on the end so you can hold on to the bike farther forward.
You could angle them forward more. You could drop the bars a little.
It's about forward and backwards balance. Start out a little too far forward, if the tire slips a little move a little weight to the rear. Practice, practice, practice.
Practice being smooth, pedaling too hard all of a sudden tends to lift the front too. Control how hard you pedal, don't pedal really hard on something very slippery, for instance. Practice with platform pedals. Anticipate far ahead so you know what's coming next. Don't go any faster than you have to at first. Don't charge the hill, keep a steady pace that will give enough energy to get to the top. Smooooooth and steady. Be in the low gear before you need it.