Climbing in the big(ish) ring
Discussion
What’s the consensus here?
I always thought you tried to “spin-up” climbs, but of late I find I’m only tending towards the big ring for all climbs due to the torque available.
Is it purely an aerobic capacity issue (we’ve been monitoring my ADF and its around 5% for TT / Power based work outs; which I don’t think is terrible although top end of drift); or just technique?
It was mentioned to me at the weekend by ride captain; but I’m not at all comfortable in the little ring (I’m not trying to sound all bearded goatee / company director about it); but is it really required for the majority of UK riding? I ride a 52:36 Q ring (not a 54), but it just feels like I get nothing out of the little ring and I drift of the back. In the big ring I’m much happier; and tend to tap out my own rhythm (Q ring the issue?).
Obviously there seems to be a lot of sense in “spinning” when climbing; but does it suit all rider types? For the record I’ve 3.5w/per kg / 245ftp (peak sprint c.930w), could power still be too low?
To be honest, I’m getting a bit disillusioned with the club, as they favour hill biased rides and even when I’m not off the bike its just a boring slog (change club?). Healthy dose of rule 5?
I always thought you tried to “spin-up” climbs, but of late I find I’m only tending towards the big ring for all climbs due to the torque available.
Is it purely an aerobic capacity issue (we’ve been monitoring my ADF and its around 5% for TT / Power based work outs; which I don’t think is terrible although top end of drift); or just technique?
It was mentioned to me at the weekend by ride captain; but I’m not at all comfortable in the little ring (I’m not trying to sound all bearded goatee / company director about it); but is it really required for the majority of UK riding? I ride a 52:36 Q ring (not a 54), but it just feels like I get nothing out of the little ring and I drift of the back. In the big ring I’m much happier; and tend to tap out my own rhythm (Q ring the issue?).
Obviously there seems to be a lot of sense in “spinning” when climbing; but does it suit all rider types? For the record I’ve 3.5w/per kg / 245ftp (peak sprint c.930w), could power still be too low?
To be honest, I’m getting a bit disillusioned with the club, as they favour hill biased rides and even when I’m not off the bike its just a boring slog (change club?). Healthy dose of rule 5?
scubadude said:
What do they call a hill- 5% or 25%?
If you can stay in the big ring at a good speed past 15% why don't you have a pro contract? :-)
As long as you are comfortable with the cadence does it matter which gear you are in?
I don’t think I’ll be near the pro-peleton – my lack of wattage indicates that. There is a definite bias here, and from all I hear is that spinning is better. I just can’t seem to make that comfortable. I do tend to attack climbs, and especially shorter steeper climbs favour out of the seat power; but I think there has to be a correlation between aerobic fitness and climbing style. Might try a 39 inner ring, and see what difference that makes. It’s annoying as in my club group, being the competitive so and so’s we are; I’m falling off the pace a bit on longer climbs. In contrast, I’m by far the faster descender / flat rider in our group; probably because aero / stupid. I just wanna nail climbing (thinking racing next year). If you can stay in the big ring at a good speed past 15% why don't you have a pro contract? :-)
As long as you are comfortable with the cadence does it matter which gear you are in?
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