Originally Posted by
jim p
If I ever get to the point that I can spin up a hill then I will consider going to a bigger gear. I have a 28 front and a 32 back gear and a 5% 1/2 mile long hill that I do hill repeats on. I have been doing this for about 6 months and still don't maintain 80 rpm when I hit the short 15 degree grades on this hill. I have riden up in higher gears but I am not sure what would be best as far as climbing better. I have been doing nothing but these hill repeats for the last 6 months so maybe in another 6 months I will get a lot better.
It must be nice to be strong and fast.
Was going to suggest something but Allegheny Jet has just done it. Sounds like mountain bike gearing and don't know what the bikes or tyres are- But we have some stiff hills in our area- even if they are short. For training last year I did repeats up one of the mile long 15% ones and I just put it in the lowest gear of 30/26 and rode. 1st time up- in the saddle and tried to keep cadence at around 75 to 80. Second time up it was out of the saddle and in one or two gears higher. 3rd time up and it was any way I could get up the thing and cadence dropped tremendously. Then it was time for a bit of a flat ride and 20 miles across the marshes with a high cadence and no pressure on the pedals. Just to finish off and back to the hill for one last try. It was a lot easier. Whether it was being better warmed up- or the rest after 20 miles- but it worked for me.
When I did get to the mountains- The training paid off- but there is a difference between doing one short hill and climbing 13 miles non- stop. Get some variety into your training- and don't forget to take some FUN rides occasionally. I hate to say it- but BIG ring work doesn't work for me. My knees are shot to pieces as it is without putting more stress on them.