Question for the seasoned....

[wolvenborn]

Quick question for some of you more experienced MB'ers. A lot of the tougher steep inclines I find myself with 1 of 2 problems normally.

1. It's too steep and I run out of gas.
2. It's too steep, I stand up to try and put more *oommph* into it, but as soon as I do my back tire spins out, thus losing all my momentum.

Obviously I know how to fix Problem 1!

But how do you all tackle the second one. Is it better to take steep inclines standing up, or sitting down on your seat trying to use all legs? Most of the time for me I try to take them all sitting down because the second I stand up, all the weight is off my rear tire, and I spin out....which usually means I'm taking a jump off my bike.

Any tricks you'd like to share? Do you spend most of your time while on trails sitting down, or standing up? Til this point, I've done most sitting down, but starting to think standing up is the best way to do most of my riding (and I'm assuming my legs will get used to that the more I ride).

-Bryce

[Tim]

I think if it's too steep you never overcome natural forces.

I'm tall so I have center of gravity issues
I'm always sitting but I'm way way up on the seat.
I lean forward naturally and pull up on the handlebars.

for me it's about rhythm balance and pace.

Except for today, it was all about gravity and stupidity.

[Eric]

I tend to think that the standing up or the sitting down depends a little on what bike you have. If it is a FS bike, then sitting down can be your best bet. You can do either on a HT. I usually stand up on my HT, but then again it is a SS so that plays a factor.

The FS I always sit down. It is harder to stand up on a FS bike because as you fight to keep the power on the ground and still climb. The real trick on a FS to climb the really steep stuff is a little different. There really is no good way to explain it other then to scoot as far forward on the seat as possible. When you get there, scoot more. If the tip of your seat is not stuck up the back side, then you probably can scoot farther. It sounds bad, but it is true. You need to almost have that seat disappear so you are in the correct position for the most traction and power. Trust me, I have climbed some crazy stuff over the years. If you think scales has steep stuff, come on up to Ferdinand and I will show you some stuff that is steep and much longer. (these sections are no longer part of the loop)

[wolvenborn]

Yeah actually I ended up making *most* of the climbs at scales....after I figured out that I needed to trust the downhill first to gain enough momentum to hit the climb.

The ones I had a lot of problems with were at Ferdinand. There were a large majority there that I couldn't make it up due simply to the fact that I didn't near have the legs for it yet. That place was brutal for me. It was also the very first time I'd been on a MB trail.

Sounds like sitting down for climbs can be good as long as you have the leg strength/stamina. I'm leaning towards getting a full suspension bike as my next one, so that may make things interesting..

[Eric]

Aug 18, 2009 7:26:03 GMT -5 wolvenborn said:

The ones I had a lot of problems with were at Ferdinand. There were a large majority there that I couldn't make it up due simply to the fact that I didn't near have the legs for it yet. That place was brutal for me. It was also the very first time I'd been on a MB trail.

If that is the case, then you should be very happy that all of those re-routes are done. It is hard to believe, but Ferdinand is much easier then it used to be. But, I feel that it is still the hardest trail in Indiana with Gnawbone and VBR running close.

I climbed all the hills at scales on my SS the last time I was there. I had to stand up for most of them so I don't blow out my knees.

[Tim]

your an animal, your both animals.

I think it's great that someone can do extreme climbing and enjoy it.
i don't really have a desire to reach that point. I don't race, I don't compete. I started back riding when i turned 40 just to get into shape.

it was my desire at 40 to re live my missed youth, start over so to speak.
While I still can

I've gotten better at climbing and my leg strength has gotten better in the last few months but I don't see myself pushing the limits anymore.

Like it was said above, it i was more comfy on the down hill run
I could probably conquer more hills. The bike I bought is more suited to cross country. I took it to scales just to see how it handles different extremes. Didn't feel comfortable at all. The bike is really light and rigid and I slid the back end way to much. It was more like downhill skiing. I'm not sure I ever had control. At times I didn't ;D

Compared to the old bike, it was horrible but then again, it's not set up for that kind of riding.

I learned a lot yesterday about the bike and what i need to work on. Climbing or not, it's all about havin' fun with what your capable of doing..

[Eric]

Momentum is huge at Scales.

I do not race any more. I prefer to enjoy the view, but I also try to not walk.

[ricdix]

Sounds like you already received plenty of sound advice but I'd like to echo the "momentum" advice.

For those of us that are not blessed with brute power, momentum can be an equalizer. As I approach a short steep, I'll try to ramp up the pace. As I begin the climb, I'll drop a gear or two before its too late. The key for me is to maintain cadence, momentum and spin up the hill rather than grind it out. If you must stand, shift your weight rearward to keep the back wheel weighted and hooked up. Keep in mind that standing requires more energy and will increase your heart rate even faster. The longer you remain in the saddle the more energy you'll conserve. That extra bit of energy savings could be just enough to get you over the hump.

[Eric]

Aug 18, 2009 12:57:41 GMT -5 ricdix said:

Keep in mind that standing requires more energy and will increase your heart rate even faster.

I am not 100% convinced that standing actually uses more energy any more. I have thought that in the past, but the more I ride my SS the more I begin to think that it is just different muscles. Those muscles are not in as good of shape because you don't use them when you are sitting. Yes, I will not disagree that if will wear you out faster, but that is because you don't stand as much as you sit to ride.

Standing on climbs use a lot of different parts of your body that is not used when sitting down and with the correct technique your weight will actually help your pedal. (that does not mean it makes it easy)

Other then that I agree. Make sure to look ahead and shift early. Shifting under load is not the best idea and normally does not work when you really need it to.

[Eric]

One more example of momentum. There is a section at Brown County SP that you can actually climb a hill while coasting. If you keep your momentum through the bottom and then pump over the top of each little knob, you will keep your speed and not have to pedal to climb the hill.

It sounds crazy, but I have done it a few times.

[Tim]

Yeah, that's probably true.

Probably like the difference between real walking and a tread mill walking.

[ricdix]

@ Eric - If your talking about standing on your Single Speed than I would agree. With one gear you don't have a choice, you must use your body weight to your advantage to put the power to the pedals. I still believe in general it requires more energy to stand and support your entire weight as compared to sitting.

By the way..... I love that hill at BCSP. The first time I went up it and pumped the bumps I did a double look. I couldn't believe I just coasted up hill. At first I thought it was an illusion. Very cool.