Do You like the Gradient Display?
#1
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Do You like the Gradient Display?
Credit to IBOHUNT's comment in another thread.
Well do ya punk? I like it! I have done a couple of climbs in my life but didn't have a Garmin. The times I struggled up a steep section I felt like I was just getting tired and contributed the feeling as defeating. Now I monitor the grade and if I feel tired I can justify it by the grade.
In other words, if I have been on a 6% grade for some time but start struggling a bit, if I see a 12% reading, I know I just have to get passed this section then it's back to feeling normal. Gives me hope that it will get better.
Well do ya punk? I like it! I have done a couple of climbs in my life but didn't have a Garmin. The times I struggled up a steep section I felt like I was just getting tired and contributed the feeling as defeating. Now I monitor the grade and if I feel tired I can justify it by the grade.
In other words, if I have been on a 6% grade for some time but start struggling a bit, if I see a 12% reading, I know I just have to get passed this section then it's back to feeling normal. Gives me hope that it will get better.
#3
SuperGimp
Yes! It's about my favorite bit of screen, except when it gets > 10%.
I don't know that it's terribly accurate, especially if it's windy (thinking of Palm Springs here...) but it's nice to see
I don't know that it's terribly accurate, especially if it's windy (thinking of Palm Springs here...) but it's nice to see
#5
SuperGimp
I can't read mine when it gets that steep... I think my driveway is about 18% or so for 50-80 yards and I can't read the garmin when I'm standing and huffing away.
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081909G by gulpxtreme, on Flickr
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As others have mentioned, the display is useful in that it at least gives you a number you can use as a benchmark as to how you're doing on climbs, but the percentage reading will often be a bit generous. That's why I always enable elevation corrections when uploading to Strava or a similar site.
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I like it. I remember doing a 1200km ride a number of years back and I was riding along what I thought was a flat road and it was just killing me. I rode for miles that way and finally decided to stop and check to see if the brakes were rubbing. While I was stopped I looked back down the road and I could easily tell I'd been climbing. I just started laughing and took off again at 12mph. 12mph when you're climbing is fine, 12mph when you are in the flats is another! Now I just look at the gradient display on the confuser and don't get discouraged.
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I could have used it on Breathless Agony a few years ago. I felt like quitting when I was on Damnation Alley. I looked flat in comparison to the eye of the upcoming mtn road. Turned out to be 7%. If I Had known that i was 7% on the ride, it would have eased my struggle.
#13
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I like it. I remember doing a 1200km ride a number of years back and I was riding along what I thought was a flat road and it was just killing me. I rode for miles that way and finally decided to stop and check to see if the brakes were rubbing. While I was stopped I looked back down the road and I could easily tell I'd been climbing. I just started laughing and took off again at 12mph. 12mph when you're climbing is fine, 12mph when you are in the flats is another! Now I just look at the gradient display on the confuser and don't get discouraged.
Yeah, those 2-3% grades are killers mentally for me. I'm sure there is a bad hub, brakes locked up or a bottom bracket about to seize up. As I said in the other thread, we have a short .9 mile 125' gain section that is a part of my regular training ride. Kills me. I never have speed displayed nor do I want to but looking at the power display is discouraging as well. Terrible bad in a north wind. There is 3 1/2 minutes I can never get back.
Now we'll have to get into the whole 'what's climbing' debate eh?
I was doing a ride in June of '12 and on one of the hills I heard something similar to... I never thought I'd see my heart rate RECOVER when I was going up the 8% grade part. That was a great metric with 8300' of gain.
So... who wants to start a 'what's climbing?' or 'What's hilly?' thread?
I'm sure my definition would differ from those in the Rocky mountains where the uphill bits are stupid long. Please, just shoot me when you start doing those 8 mile long 1200' of gain deals. I'll take a 1.25 mile 600' gain deal over that western garbage any day of the week.
I have 7 grades of rides when you start talking about gain/mi for us recreation folks and the first 2 are:
Watch your dog run away for a week flat = < 35'/mile
Flat = 36 - 50'/mi
and the rest are???
#14
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I use it as well. Not so much for the 8-11% grade, but I like it more for the 2-3% grade that looks flat, but slows me down. I see my speed drop, and I don't feel bad if we are on a 3% grade. I know that is causing it, its not just me getting winded.
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#17
SuperGimp
Here's the holy grail of climbs (for me... you can keep all that french stuff!)
https://www.strava.com/activities/26539917#
I'll probably never actually be able to do it but I told my wife next time she wants to go to Maui I'm going to try. I have a minimum of 2 years to get ready for that thing!
https://www.strava.com/activities/26539917#
I'll probably never actually be able to do it but I told my wife next time she wants to go to Maui I'm going to try. I have a minimum of 2 years to get ready for that thing!
#18
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Here's the holy grail of climbs (for me... you can keep all that french stuff!)
https://www.strava.com/activities/26539917#
I'll probably never actually be able to do it but I told my wife next time she wants to go to Maui I'm going to try. I have a minimum of 2 years to get ready for that thing!
https://www.strava.com/activities/26539917#
I'll probably never actually be able to do it but I told my wife next time she wants to go to Maui I'm going to try. I have a minimum of 2 years to get ready for that thing!
#19
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I'm sure my definition would differ from those in the Rocky mountains where the uphill bits are stupid long. Please, just shoot me when you start doing those 8 mile long 1200' of gain deals. I'll take a 1.25 mile 600' gain deal over that western garbage any day of the week.
it sucks even more when i did it on my singlespeed
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
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I could have used it on Breathless Agony a few years ago. I felt like quitting when I was on Damnation Alley. I looked flat in comparison to the eye of the upcoming mtn road. Turned out to be 7%. If I Had known that i was 7% on the ride, it would have eased my struggle.
I remember doing a race in Canada and I had to continually check the direction of the river alongside the road to tell if we were going up or down!
#21
SuperGimp
#23
Senior Member
Here's the holy grail of climbs (for me... you can keep all that french stuff!)
https://www.strava.com/activities/26539917#
I'll probably never actually be able to do it but I told my wife next time she wants to go to Maui I'm going to try. I have a minimum of 2 years to get ready for that thing!
https://www.strava.com/activities/26539917#
I'll probably never actually be able to do it but I told my wife next time she wants to go to Maui I'm going to try. I have a minimum of 2 years to get ready for that thing!
#24
Senior Member
Yes. I like looking down at my Garmin 705 and seeing what I'm climbing. I also like to review the climbs on Garmin Connect or Strava.
I found it interesting that the hill where I had my little heart attack was not anywhere near the steepest hill that I climb. Of course I was racing my daughter to the top and not just spinning slowly as usual.
I found it interesting that the hill where I had my little heart attack was not anywhere near the steepest hill that I climb. Of course I was racing my daughter to the top and not just spinning slowly as usual.
#25
Senior Member
does this count, its in my backyard?? https://www.strava.com/activities/47774217 https://www.strava.com/segments/1502078
it sucks even more when i did it on my singlespeed
it sucks even more when i did it on my singlespeed
Yep, another fun looking ride.