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Hills: Mash or Spin?

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Hills: Mash or Spin?

Old 06-26-20, 06:35 PM
  #26  
Digger Goreman
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I'm 59, no medical conditions, mildly aggressive posture on road ridden old mtb.

I almost never, ever stand. If it is possible, I build momentum, approaching the hill. As much as possible, I progressively downshift to maintain cadence till, if necessary, I spin.

Works for me.
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Old 06-26-20, 06:49 PM
  #27  
Bigbus
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Originally Posted by downtube42
There's some rule of thumb that says if your legs burn downshift (more spinny), if your lungs burn upshift (more mashy). Like all rules of thumb, take it with a grain of salt.

On the other hand, walking gives your butt a break.
Is that "break" perpendicular to the crack? Or does it run parallel?
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Old 06-26-20, 06:52 PM
  #28  
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I did some research a while back when some spinning fool told me at my age (70) I was going to blow out my knees if I keep mashing. I haven't been able to come up with anything more than opinions-no solid research on the topic. If anyone has seen such a study, can you post a link please? Thanks
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Old 06-26-20, 08:30 PM
  #29  
big john
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Originally Posted by Bigbus
I did some research a while back when some spinning fool told me at my age (70) I was going to blow out my knees if I keep mashing. I haven't been able to come up with anything more than opinions-no solid research on the topic. If anyone has seen such a study, can you post a link please? Thanks
People aren't all the same. There are spinners and there are mashers and every cadence in between. While spinning is advisable and taught, it isn't for everyone. Some people turn slow cadences for years without problems.
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Old 06-26-20, 09:26 PM
  #30  
scott967
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My lowest gear now is a 34x27, so most of the time i don't have to worry about spinning -- it ain't happening.

scott s.
.
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