Bloody hills

inaperfectworld

Gr.uB appreciate explanation of hook pedal stroke; anything which makes hills more fun

redddraggon

W5454 wrote:

This year I have down geared from 52-40 to 50-34 and 11-25 to 11-28.Hill climbing is so much easier.Now I look forwards to hilly rides.

willhub wrote:

25 to 28 actually makes it much easier??

Yes, 40-25 to 34-28 is a far smaller gear.

st68

the only thing that bothers me about hill climbing is the cars buzzing by me and the fumes from them for my average hilly rides up to16% i use a 39x25 for my rides with steep hills over16% :shock: i use a 39x28/29 depends on whether i use my bike with a campag set up or my shimano bike either way i like the sense of acheivement a good hill or mountain pass brings

Gr.uB

inaperfectworld wrote:

Gr.uB appreciate explanation of hook pedal stroke; anything which makes hills more fun

Rather than push down from the toe area, when your pedal goes to the bottom stroke, lift your foot thus hooking it up. Stop when it starts to go over and concentrate on the other foot. At first this will be very tiring. Then your calf muscles will grow and become stronger. If you are in the right gear you can hook and hook and really get into a rhythm. When you get better and stronger you can actually feel the whole pedal stroke - pedalling in a complete circle.