Originally Posted by
msincredible
I have found that on steeper hills (15-20%) the Birdy really wants to wheelie, particularly when I have a heavy backpack on. To compensate, I really have to get my weight over the front wheel, which feels unnatural ergonomically for climbing. Maybe what you are feeling is related?
I have an 18% hill on my commute; I don't have the tendency to wheelie. Is it because I have the more forward stempost? Because the geometry which I have looked at in detail, is not dissimilar from a big-wheeled bike, in fact the chain stay is an inch longer than of a typical roadie... so wheelies shouldn't happen easier... unless the stempost is making you sit upright?
The other issue is, climbing out of the saddle places the body more forwards, so unless you have bar-ends or brake hoods to hold on to, it feels awkward. Bar-ends are a huge help in climbing out of the saddle.
