need help crap at hill climbs

scarthie99
scarthie99 Posts: 209
edited June 2013 in Road buying advice
i got cannondale super 6 105 bike can not climb long hills i running 11-28 cassette.so i think about get rid my road bike and buy top off the range mountain bike put slicks tires on or cx bike i know pauls cycle have high end bike going cheap.any info please :shock:

Comments

  • thistle_
    thistle_ Posts: 7,219
    If you're struggling up the hills you either need:
    • More practice
    • Lower gears
    Getting a whole new bike seems a bit over the top, a mountain bike will have lower gears but it probably heavier so won't necessarily be any better.
    You could get a triple (and a new shifter), possibly swap your chainrings for smaller ones, or get a bigger cassette (which might need a new rear mech).
  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    ^^^^^ what he said

    Just keep doing them.

    Try not to drop onto your 2 or 3 lowest gears UNLESS you really need them i.e you are about to stop and topple over.

    When you say you cant do them do you mean you have to stop and walk or you just climb very slowly??
  • jezzpalmer
    jezzpalmer Posts: 389
    CX gearing tends to be not at low as road, it's more aimed a close ratio so that's most likely not going to help at all; and a CX bike will be heavier to compound the issue.
    What chainrings do you have on your bike? 53/39, 50/34 or something in between?
  • scarthie99
    scarthie99 Posts: 209
    edited June 2013
    running 50/34 on the front 11-28 on back.i have motor bike so when it be snowing i have no plan b for transport so need bike so i can use wide tires so ride in snow but that my the last resort.that why look at new bike.i fall off the motor bike in snow 2 times at low speed.i seen some great deals at paul cycle
  • jezzpalmer
    jezzpalmer Posts: 389
    You might be able to get a 12-30 for the back, if the rear mech can support it; I think there are people running 30 with 105.

    There are people that have swapped the rear mech for MTB ones to allow the running of 32 or 34 at the back; but this will make horrible gaps in ratios when you are on the flat.

    Other than that it's just practice, it'll come, it'll hurt, but it'll be satisfying. :)
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    I had this problem and swapped my cassette for a 13-29 I think. Along with a compact chainset I found hills much easier.
    However, I'm now on an 11-23 AND I have a double (got them both free) and I've just come back from a hellish day in the hills.... :(
    Dolan Mythos
  • rowlers
    rowlers Posts: 1,614
    I feel your pain, but it does get easier! Bean there done it, and still doing it.
    Just ride hills. Hit them hard. Then spin up. repeat.
    It DOES get easier.
    Felt F1
    Deda Acciaio
    Pro6
    Cotic Soul
  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    Hill repeats
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    scarthie99 wrote:
    i got cannondale super 6 105 bike can not climb long hills i running 11-28 cassette.so i think about get rid my road bike and buy top off the range mountain bike put slicks tires on or cx bike i know pauls cycle have high end bike going cheap.any info please :shock:

    As you seem to have a poor grasp of english language, will you actually be able to take in any advice given on this thread?
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    TBH a Super Six with 34/28 is about as good a set up as you could wish for. They are renowned for great climbing and it is one of the lightest packages out there.

    The only answer to your predicament is to get fitter and this will only happen by putting in the miles and tackling hills.

    I have been trying to improve at hills for a year now and even though it seems like it is never getting better the times gradually reduce.

    Just get out there and keep turning the pedals. Put in lots of miles and add in intervals on the flats to help increase your ability to ride at threshold and recover.

    PS: You may get more advice if you put it in the correct section - unless you actually wnat to buy better lungs :lol:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • junglist_matty
    junglist_matty Posts: 1,731
    Options:

    1. Find a pro cyclist willing to sell their legs and get a leg swap (will be a very short term solution if you don't continue to put in the training miles)

    2. Find a doctor and some brainy engineer and get them to knock you up some hydraulic leg supports to power up the hills.

    3. Buy an electric motor assisted rear hub

    4. Go and ride your bike


    Yup, you guessed it, the richest of us can go out and buy the lightest bike, components, areo kit, (etc...) in the world (if you got the cash), but it means sweet f'k all if you got no fitness and you can't buy fitness; go figure!
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    edited June 2013
    jezzpalmer wrote:
    You might be able to get a 12-30 for the back, if the rear mech can support it; I think there are people running 30 with 105.


    To the OP, don't get a mountain bike, it will make climbing hills even harder.

    I run 30T rear with 105, it's a Tiagra cassette, that will give you a slightly lower gear.

    However, I assume he's running a compact double on the front, talk to the bike shop about swapping this out for a triple. That with the 28T (or 30T) on the back should give gears which are more than low enough. It will require swapping out the left shifter, the front mech and the front chainring, which won't be a cheap do, however cheaper than a whole new bike.

    Anything after that is fitness.
  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    Oh, and it might help if you can define 'long hills'
  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    Or if all else fails some guy called Lance (never heard of him) recommends EPO
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    The great Belgian philosopher and keen cyclist, Eddy Merckx once said "Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades".
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    jordan_217 wrote:
    The great Belgian cyclist and keen philosopher, Eddy Merckx, once said "Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades".

    ftfy :)
  • dw300
    dw300 Posts: 1,642
    ITT : Obvious troll is obviously not obvious ..
    All the above is just advice .. you can do whatever the f*ck you wana do!
    Bike Radar Strava Club
    The Northern Ireland Thread
  • notlongnow
    notlongnow Posts: 176
    A lower gear will help but I think fitness and mental strength help too often people can be defeated by hills mentally before they even start it.
  • ct8282
    ct8282 Posts: 414
    Don't trolls live under bridges? Does the fairy tale need to be revised?
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,741
    as the others have mentioned, the bike seems like it's a good one for climbing and your bottom gear of 34x28 is pretty low, trying to put lower gears on tends to make for slower climbs which kinda prolongs the agony...

    things to bear in mind - check that the bike fits you and you are comfortable on the bike; get into the small ring early and drop down the sprockets one at a time; don't try to smash the power early in the climb, stay seated as much as you can and keep the pedals turning; relax shoulders but don't slump over the bars, use your core muscles to keep your upper body still and not swaying as you push the pedal, keep a nice smooth stroke
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • scarthie99
    scarthie99 Posts: 209
    cheers for the info will go out over the weekend try it out cheers

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