Walking up hills
07-21-11, 09:22 AM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MidWest USA
Posts: 451
Bikes: 2013 Stumpjumper HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, I have been commuting from Collinsville to Edwardsville 3 days a week starting just last week. Its been grate so far, just very exhausting.... and my legs feel like jello. I wish I lived closer to Carbondale just for all the off road trails, that is where I started out riding years ago and I just recently switch to road riding seeing as we don't have many good off road trails here (or non that I have found or heard about).
07-21-11, 09:23 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 535
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
40 percent? Not a chance. 6 or 8 percent is enough for semi trucks to need run-offs. 40 percent. Google earth us a picture 
And get different gearing. You'll be fine on 48x18 and do much better. Get yo spin up.
And get different gearing. You'll be fine on 48x18 and do much better. Get yo spin up.
07-21-11, 09:27 AM
#28
u________u
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: baltimore
Posts: 138
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-21-11, 09:29 AM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MidWest USA
Posts: 451
Bikes: 2013 Stumpjumper HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
25 - 40 % grade ? Are you kidding ? If that's really true, and I rather doubt it, then you won't get up it on anything but a geared bike with a granny gear, especially if you need to haul 240 lbs up it. And to all the rest of you guys telling the OP to htfu, I say liars
I have ridden the long (not so steep one) once, but I wasn't tired.
Over all, thanks for all the advice. I mainly just wanted to know if anyone else ever walked up extreme hills at say the end of their ride and if it was even considered remotely acceptable. I'm just going to keep giving it my all and I'll eventually be able to do it.
edit: am I also not under standing grade right? would a 25% grade approximately a 20 degree angle between completely flat and the actually hill? and a 40% be closer to a 35 degree angle?
Last edited by dsprehe89; 07-21-11 at 09:43 AM.
07-21-11, 09:37 AM
#30
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,757
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1331 Post(s)
Liked 764 Times
in
431 Posts
No, I have never walked a hill. Also, I've never ridden anything steeper than 12% on an SSFG. And that's the truth.
07-21-11, 09:46 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Burlington, VT
Posts: 91
Bikes: Maruishi Road Ace
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
never walked a hill, 46/17. went up one of the steepest hills around where i live after eating a large ice cream cone for free, just because i am the man.
07-21-11, 09:50 AM
#32
commuter and barbarian
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Potomac, MT, USA
Posts: 2,494
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
There is no law against walking a hill, regardless of what all these htfu guys imply.
You say you just started and you intend to lose weight. It will take time.
Keep at it and get as far as you can each ride. Eventually you may be able to get all the way up without walking. If not, there is no law against walking a hill...
You say you just started and you intend to lose weight. It will take time.
Keep at it and get as far as you can each ride. Eventually you may be able to get all the way up without walking. If not, there is no law against walking a hill...
07-21-11, 09:52 AM
#33
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,757
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1331 Post(s)
Liked 764 Times
in
431 Posts
Forgive me father for I have sinned. Today I told a total lie on an internet forum.
07-21-11, 09:54 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 535
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I know this sounds pathetic, but do any of you ever just walk you SS/FG up hills instead of just forcing through?
I just last week started commuting to school (16 miles one way) and there are 2 hills that are probably close to 25-40% grade slopes (one is much steeper but shorter) and one is about 150ft long and the other is closer to 400ft long. My SS is a 53:18 gearing and I can only seem to make it about half way up both of these hills.
Have any of you ever ran into a situation like this? Is it even doable with my gearing?
Also, I weigh 240lb. I'm loosing weight now that I am riding, but I know this also makes it harder for me.
I just last week started commuting to school (16 miles one way) and there are 2 hills that are probably close to 25-40% grade slopes (one is much steeper but shorter) and one is about 150ft long and the other is closer to 400ft long. My SS is a 53:18 gearing and I can only seem to make it about half way up both of these hills.
Have any of you ever ran into a situation like this? Is it even doable with my gearing?
Also, I weigh 240lb. I'm loosing weight now that I am riding, but I know this also makes it harder for me.
If you want to lose pounds, focus on where your heart rate is.
07-21-11, 10:02 AM
#36
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
You guys that say HTFU are dum. 
(just kidding)
Powering 240lbs up a long hill is virtually impossible. We only have about 8-12" of sprint power or HTFU Power. The way to get big guys up hills it so spin, spin, spin.
The #1 mistake that new riders make is riding a gear that is too large and carrying a cadence that is too low.
Some of you guys still don't get it. When roadies would use a fixed gear in the winter for training, they installed a low gear and worked on cadence and pedal stroke. Not churning some huge gear around town.
If you want to look bad-ass...try cruising down the road a 120-140 RPM with a pedal stroke that is smooth as butter. You will be the envy of both FG riders and roadies. Seriously. I've had guys tell me, "Man, I wish I could spin over 120 RPM. It's just not in me to do it."
(just kidding)Powering 240lbs up a long hill is virtually impossible. We only have about 8-12" of sprint power or HTFU Power. The way to get big guys up hills it so spin, spin, spin.
The #1 mistake that new riders make is riding a gear that is too large and carrying a cadence that is too low.
Some of you guys still don't get it. When roadies would use a fixed gear in the winter for training, they installed a low gear and worked on cadence and pedal stroke. Not churning some huge gear around town.
If you want to look bad-ass...try cruising down the road a 120-140 RPM with a pedal stroke that is smooth as butter. You will be the envy of both FG riders and roadies. Seriously. I've had guys tell me, "Man, I wish I could spin over 120 RPM. It's just not in me to do it."
07-21-11, 10:07 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 535
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You're right. It's one thing to have a badass looking bike, it's another to look like a badass riding it. I get compliments on my spin; and nobody laughs at my low gearing.
07-21-11, 10:08 AM
#38
pro in someone's theory
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 3,236
Bikes: FTP
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Ride clipless and you'll basically do anything you can to avoid walking. Anybody ever try criss-crossing a road to get a better incline on a road that was too steep?
07-21-11, 10:10 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 535
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-21-11, 10:19 AM
#41
:)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: duluth
Posts: 3,391
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
https://gmap-pedometer.com/
+
https://veloroutes.org/tools/
My pita hill is 8-10% for about a half mile.
+
https://veloroutes.org/tools/
My pita hill is 8-10% for about a half mile.
07-21-11, 10:28 AM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 133
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The #1 mistake that new riders make is riding a gear that is too large and carrying a cadence that is too low.
Some of you guys still don't get it. When roadies would use a fixed gear in the winter for training, they installed a low gear and worked on cadence and pedal stroke. Not churning some huge gear around town.
Some of you guys still don't get it. When roadies would use a fixed gear in the winter for training, they installed a low gear and worked on cadence and pedal stroke. Not churning some huge gear around town.
People associate going faster with pushing harder on the pedals. This is incorrect.
Decrease your gear-inches: You won't be any slower. It seems backwards but it's true.
T
07-21-11, 10:43 AM
#44
Kilo TT
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As everyone has said, get a lower gear and spin faster. Also criss cross up the hill. I have had to walk up a hill once, and it was the most shameful experience. I felt like a tool walking my fixed gear up the hill, and I vowed to myself to never again let that happen.
07-21-11, 10:49 AM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: sf bay area
Posts: 476
Bikes: Affinity Lo Pro-madison(RIP)-specialzed bmx-
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
48-18 is the perfect ratio to start with. thats what I ride and I have to go up cat-4 and 5 hills everyday from and to school,work,and commuting. I commute about 25-30 miles a day. right now im doing 48-17 because im in training mode. but riding SS/fixed is all about spinning. so try a lower gear ratio, you'll be spinning and it will seem like your not getting nowhere but keep at it and in a couple months you'll get to cruise at 20mph. not only that since you a little heavy-dont take this personal- spinning will get you to do more aerobic workouts which will-if your trying to lose weight- help you burn more calories and lose more weight. 
Keep at it.
Keep at it.
07-21-11, 10:58 AM
#48
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Lose weight man. Watch what you eat. I went from 230->195 and hills got a TON easier.
07-21-11, 10:58 AM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 57
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
100% grade means every unit travelled horizontally you travel 100% of that unit vertically, ie. 45degrees.
Do you mean to say you actually underestimated the slope and that it's actually 35 degrees = 70% grade
?!
07-21-11, 10:59 AM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: VT
Posts: 260
Bikes: Lynskey R240, Jamis Dakar XCR Comp, Cannondale CAAD9 (Fixed), Moto Messenger
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ride, ride, ride.
Ride as much as you can, walk when you can't. When I got into fixed road riding, there were hills that I walked up that I now fly up sitting.
The trick it ride, ride, ride.
As a reference, when I got my first geared road bike I weighed ~220, when I got my fixed gear I weighed ~180, right now I weigh ~160.
Edit to add: I ride a 44/16, usually. If it's a particularly long, flattish ride, I might do a 46/16.
Ride as much as you can, walk when you can't. When I got into fixed road riding, there were hills that I walked up that I now fly up sitting.
The trick it ride, ride, ride.
As a reference, when I got my first geared road bike I weighed ~220, when I got my fixed gear I weighed ~180, right now I weigh ~160.
Edit to add: I ride a 44/16, usually. If it's a particularly long, flattish ride, I might do a 46/16.
Last edited by JoshTheSkier; 07-21-11 at 11:01 AM. Reason: Added info