Had trouble getting on my bike and starting the TRAIL!!!
10-06-15, 07:31 PM
#1
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Had trouble getting on my bike and starting the TRAIL!!!
It was crazy. Never had this problem before. But I don't know if it's me or the bike or just the trail. So basically the trail already starts on a steep upward hill. And I put it on my lowest gear. I couldn't even peddle the bike. I couldn't even get ON my bike. Because I'd fall off after not being able to peddle uphill. It was like I was stuck. Nothing too wrong with my bike though. It was riding uphill on the road. But as soon as I got to the trail, I couldn't even push the bike. Was it just me lacking the strength? It felt really dangerous too.
So I tried peddling up the road first for a bit to get momemtum and after I entered the trail again, I could only peddle it up for about 5 to 7 feet. Then it just wouldn't move. It's almost like the small rocks were keeping me from riding uphill. So is this just me not being strong enough? Or is it the environment? I have peddled uphill at a couple different trails and it did okay. I couldn't push the bike more than 5 feet, and I basically kept on losing my balance just trying to get on the bike.
And another discouraging thing is that I feel like with all the bumps on trails, it's very risky. I feel like I can slip at any time.
So I tried peddling up the road first for a bit to get momemtum and after I entered the trail again, I could only peddle it up for about 5 to 7 feet. Then it just wouldn't move. It's almost like the small rocks were keeping me from riding uphill. So is this just me not being strong enough? Or is it the environment? I have peddled uphill at a couple different trails and it did okay. I couldn't push the bike more than 5 feet, and I basically kept on losing my balance just trying to get on the bike.
And another discouraging thing is that I feel like with all the bumps on trails, it's very risky. I feel like I can slip at any time.
10-06-15, 09:10 PM
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10-06-15, 09:37 PM
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You think this guy's a leg puller? -- I've tried to give conscientious advice on other posts of his before -
OP - one of your most recent posts you were complaining about brake problems -- If the brakes are still hanging up, that could be a big part of it
OP - one of your most recent posts you were complaining about brake problems -- If the brakes are still hanging up, that could be a big part of it
10-06-15, 09:49 PM
#6
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Well I read the brakes making funny noises was due to contamination. Now, I do have shifting problems. But do you think that maybe the trail was just hard to ascend due to it's nature and steepness?
No, please, I'm genuine. I'm not a leg puller. Just a guy that's not the sharpest tool in the shed.
10-07-15, 12:26 PM
#7
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You need more air in your tires. It will make the bike lighter and thus easier to go uphill. If you put enough air in it will float up by itself!
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Knows the weight of my bike to the nearest 10 pounds.
Knows the weight of my bike to the nearest 10 pounds.
10-07-15, 12:46 PM
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I'll state the obvious. Yes a trail can be steep beyond your abilities to ride up it, or beyond your strength to walk up it pushing your bike. It can even be beyond everyones abilities! 
10-07-15, 05:15 PM
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OK, I'll play. The main thing to keep in mind going uphill on dirt is to stay seated to put weight on the back tire. Standing may give more force but the rear tire will spin with no traction. You can also zig zag your way up the hill making it less steep but longer. Look at the terrain and find the best route up even if choices seem limited. It's better to stay in the worn compacted path of other cyclists.
10-08-15, 05:13 PM
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Do you have Di2? I think your bike has been hacked. It's a real problem with that drivetrain. Did you try going backwards up the hill? Next time, throw it in reverse & try that, you might fool the hacker into reversing the hack & you can quickly pull a switcheroo and make it up the hill. Either that or get rid of the bike, apologize to the little girl you hit & stop posting on the net.
10-08-15, 11:51 PM
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10-09-15, 12:53 AM
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10-09-15, 01:48 PM
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a link of the trail or a Strava upload would be useful. There are hills I cannot clear due to terrain conditions steepness.
If you cant get more than 5 feet and the trail is not easing up you are simply on the wrong trail. Find conditions of your ability. Monitor your progress with any of the following lowest to highest cost Watch, Bicycle computer, smart phone app( strava) gps
often trails change in steepness and there are areas that many cyclist walk it is called hike a bike you walk a few sections and ride the rest
getting started on a steep hill takes practice
There are plenty of routes I ride in a particular direction as I can descend the harder and ascend easier way
fitness takes time and starting on too hard a trail is not wise
good luck
If you cant get more than 5 feet and the trail is not easing up you are simply on the wrong trail. Find conditions of your ability. Monitor your progress with any of the following lowest to highest cost Watch, Bicycle computer, smart phone app( strava) gps
often trails change in steepness and there are areas that many cyclist walk it is called hike a bike you walk a few sections and ride the rest
getting started on a steep hill takes practice
There are plenty of routes I ride in a particular direction as I can descend the harder and ascend easier way
fitness takes time and starting on too hard a trail is not wise
good luck
10-09-15, 07:35 PM
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Dude, just turn the bike around.
10-13-15, 02:18 PM
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Please don't mess with this guy, he's a "senior member". And senior members should know when to say when. If you can't climb a hill in granny gear, you're either out of shape or perhaps you have high resistance rolling tires (I had a pair of Nevegals and it was like pulling a truck) or the grade is too steep. Simply climb a different trail that is not as steep. Very simple.
I'd love to see a video of the OP. Maybe OP is 300+ lbs?
I'd love to see a video of the OP. Maybe OP is 300+ lbs?
