If I can ride down something should I also be able to ride up it?

[hebe]

Not huge fast hills, but things llike curbs or 8-12"high sharp steep little slopes? I'm on a comfort bike. I'm fairly happy riding uneven things that point down, but often end up stopping when riding the other way. Any tips would be much appreciated, thank you.

[hebe]

Mine is heavy, not helped by rack and full fenders.

I guess this might be something that will have to wait until I buy a mountain bike.

[limewave]

Comfort bikes can be very heavy, but a lot of them also have suspension. The suspension can handle a curb (at least I found it could). Just pull-up on the handle bars when you hit and make sure to pedal through it. You don't need to be going fast, if you need to slow down, that's fine, but when you approach, pedal over the obstacle--the traction from the rear tire will help power the bike over the curb.

[Irulan]

Comfort bikes can be very heavy, but a lot of them also have suspension. The suspension can handle a curb (at least I found it could). Just pull-up on the handle bars when you hit and make sure to pedal through it. You don't need to be going fast, if you need to slow down, that's fine, but when you approach, pedal over the obstacle--the traction from the rear tire will help power the bike over the curb.

It will help if you are not in the saddle. Pedals level ( 3/9) legs extended a bit - this will help the bike absorb the bump. Plenty of people rode rigids before suspension was invented. So, it's more the rider than the bike.

[hebe]

Yes, I have front suspension and a suspension seat post. I'll try pulling up on the handlebars and standing level on the pedals. Thank you!

[Biciclista]

I don't "bump up" curbs. Not good for my wheels!

[Irulan]

lol, there is that.
Also, when learning it's important to hit them at a 90 degree angle. Anything less and you run the risk of the wheel getting knocked sideways and the front going under.

[PscyclePath]

Going down is much easier, since you have gravity on your side ;-)

Going back up is much more of an art. Not only power, but skill in applying it...

[hebe]

A quick update on this. The bump that I had in mind is less tall at one end than the other, so I just cross to the other side of the trail and bump up that end. I don't worry about the curb any more either, it has a very slightly angled front. I did have one lip-biting moment yesterday when I misjudged the dropped curb that I was aiming at (at an angle) and realised that I was going to overshoot and hit the undropped bit instead. I got up it with no problem but felt very lucky!

Thank you again for the help and advice, much appreciated!