[chazpat]

OP, if you are just talking about your bike's general climbing ability, see above!

I have a CX that I'm thinking about changing the cassette to improve it's "climbing ability". Or I might change the chainring, though that would mean a whole new crank in my case, but it would probably more give me what I want. This bike just isn't geared for the kind of climbing I do on it. I'm in the granny looking for a lower gear whereas I'd be more in the middle range on my mountain bike. Most mountain bikes are geared low. You might be able to gear a little lower if spinning furiously while moving forward at a slow speed is what you are wanting. It would help if you would tell us what your drivetrain currently is.

 

[Fleas]

If you are climbing steep hills and you simply can't turn the cranks any more, get a lower low gear (that is, a larger large cog, or a cassette with a larger large cog), or a smaller chainring.
In the case of getting a smaller ring, don't throw out the bigger one because you'll eventually need it. That's the sucky part about the 1X drivetrain hype - less range doesn't serve everyone.

-F

 

[J.B. Weld]

Graham Obree (aka The Flying Scotsman) used to seek out the steepest hills he could find and climb them in his hardest gear to get stronger.

 

[d365]

smaller chainring.

 

[Sidewalk]

Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades.

 

[fredcook]

Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades.

Great response!

 

[Crankout]

Ebike

Moped

 

[Crankout]

Dropper post and shorter stem...

 

[fredcook]

poconomtbiker, what's your question?

Are you trying to improve climbing, as in (1) going up a steady hill climb? Or (2) are you trying to improve short steep technical (rocks/roots) climbs?

(1) = XC bike with more legs
(2) = Trail bike with more legs

 

[knutso]

Work on breathing. It fuels the fire and helps keep focus and rhythm, all three are keys to climbing. If you can't hold a steady pace, get a bigger cassette or smaller chainring.

 

[J.B. Weld]

backpack oxygen tank would be helpful

 

[KingOfOrd]

Forget the cassette, save weight and go single speed.

 

[scatterbrained]

why waste time with a ebike when you can get a moto? Moto makes ebike look STUPID when it comes to climbing ability.

opposite issue here. How much power your can produce per minute/hour/whatever isn't related to how its transferred. If you have the muscles and cardio it's arbitrary. You'll make the same w/h regardless of what drivetrain you run, so long as it's biomechanically unshitty. Clipless pedals don't help much.

Bs. You can employ muscles with clipless pedals that you can't with flats. You can't pull up on a flat pedal. Pretty simple really. The ability to rotate through muscle groups shouldn't be underestimated. There is a reason all XC pros are running clipless. Same for roadies.

 

[KingOfOrd]

Bs. You can employ muscles with clipless pedals that you can't with flats. You can't pull up on a flat pedal. Pretty simple really. The ability to rotate through muscle groups shouldn't be underestimated. There is a reason all XC pros are running clipless. Same for roadies.

I don't understand why people try to argue against this...flats are simply inferior to clipless pedals.

There's reason track cyclist clip in and strap their feet to the pedals, they are at the extreme end of the spectrum but they are also producing the most power in cycling and you'll never see a track cyclist on flat pedals.

 

[J.B. Weld]

I don't understand why people try to argue against this...

Maybe because testing has shown that it doesn't make that much difference, for sure not as much as many seem to think. Clipless will never transform a poor climber into a good one, only time and effort can achieve that and even minimal effort will produce bigger improvements than switching to clipless.

Pro's ride clipless because seconds do matter for them and their fitness is already honed.

 

[MOJO K]

Epo

 

[KingOfOrd]

Maybe because testing has shown that it doesn't make that much difference, for sure not as much as many seem to think. Clipless will never transform a poor climber into a good one, only time and effort can achieve that and even minimal effort will produce bigger improvements than switching to clipless.

Pro's ride clipless because seconds do matter for them and their fitness is already honed.

Where are you getting your test results? Your last sentence contradicts the point you're trying to make.

 

[J.B. Weld]

^that will work


(..the epo that is)

 

[Le Duke]

poconomtbiker, what's your question?

Are you trying to improve climbing, as in (1) going up a steady hill climb? Or (2) are you trying to improve short steep technical (rocks/roots) climbs?

(1) = XC bike with more legs
(2) = Trail bike with more legs

Nah, an XC bike will still win.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[J.B. Weld]

Where are you getting your test results? Your last sentence contradicts the point you're trying to make.

I've read a few scientific studies and have linked a few vids about it. They (clipless) do make a difference but in many cases, climbing included, it isn't very much. I ride with guys who use flats who can crush about 9/10 clipless riders, they might be a few seconds faster on a 10 minute climb if they used clipless but it's their fitness, not pedal choice that makes them good climbers.

I don't think I was being contradictory, pros are already at the top of their fitness level so every available marginal gain is important. Amateurs have big gains available to make that doesn't require new equipment.