Originally Posted by
joe99
Is it theoretically possible to ride up a 45 degree slope (without relying on momentum)?
Assuming a coefficient of friction of 1.0, it would require virtually all the weight to be on the driven wheel so that the front wheel would be on the verge of lifting off the ground. Does this mean it would be impossible to apply any torque to the back wheel to actually move the bike without back flipping?
I suggest you do a calculation like the one in another
thread in this forum to see what kind of power that would require at a reasonable speed, say 5 mph ~= 2 m/s.
Of course, it doesn't really address your question of tipping over versus staying upright, but I figure it would take the typical 75 kg (165 pound) rider about 1000 W on top of what he usually puts out while riding at that speed.
So I think the answer is that to sustain that rate of ascent, you have to
really dial it up.