Originally Posted by
Phil_gretz
^this is really it. No bike will make you a better climber. Only you can make yourself a better climber. It's hard work. Lose every ounce that you don't need on your body.
Now, for any particular rider, there will be certain bikes that climb faster. What are the factors? Weight and fit. Tires. Wheels. Gearing would be low on the list.
It stands to reason that the stronger and fitter you are, the better/faster you will be - this applies to pretty much anything. The discussion is about the bikes themselves, not human engine fitness/strength/diet programmes. The human engine is not the subject here - we have to take it as read that the engine is the same engine but that the bikes are different and if one is a better climber or not than another.
The answer is that specific bikes can make you a better climber in terms of time against the clock. A lighter, more aero bike ridden by the same person will result in a faster time than if that same person rode a heavier, less aero machine - assuming same gearing too, to suit the ability of the human engine. Ergo, the former is a better climbing bike. Naturally, the time gains will vary too according to engine ability and this also equates to how much of a benefit the climbing bike can offer.