2 bikes, 1 hill

[sundial]

This week I headed out on an adventure that included paved and gravel rolling hills and there is one hill in particular that is steep and curvy and I am determined to climb it without stopping. In previous rides I used the road bike and while climbing focused on relaxing the arms and find a rhythm in my pedal stroke to keep from spinning too fast. I made myself smile thinking that might help keep me relaxed but to no avail I had to stop half-way up the hill.

The next week when I tackled that hill I was on my mtb with knobby 2" tires. My pedal stroke was much smoother, my upper body was much more relaxed and I was almost dancing on the pedals. I still had to stop half-way up but I wasn't nearly as blown away as I was on the road bike.

In the past I tried using 2 different road bikes, one with a compact double and one with a triple. I still couldn't make it up the hill without stopping. Yet on an mtb it's much easier climbing it even though it weighs 10 lbs heavier than the road bike.

I'm wondering if geometry makes a difference in terms of climbing. One bike has 26" wheels, the others 700c. Mtbs are geared lower but I never did drop down to the granny. Maybe the mtb handlebar allows me to open up the chest more, breath easier and stay relaxed longer?

[pinkbikes]

It is likely that even without dropping to the granny you were geared lower than a roadbike when you were on your MTB.

I just took a look at my spreadsheet with the gear inches for all my bikes and even on the middle ring the MTBs are substantially lower geared than the lowest gear on my roadbikes.

I know I can climb things on my MTB that make me look pathetic on my roadie!

[sarahkonamojo]

Yeah. When I get passed by an mtb on my local monster hill, I scoff. They are cheating! Actually, I'm just momentarily jealous.

S

[sundial]

It is likely that even without dropping to the granny you were geared lower than a roadbike when you were on your MTB.
I know I can climb things on my MTB that make me look pathetic on my roadie!

Ok, that makes sense. Thanks Pinkbikes and Sarahkonomojo I think if I had to tour I'd do it on a mtb. I feel like I'm with the bike as we drag ourselves up the hill rather than fighting against it like I do on the road bike.

[maillotpois]

You could also gear your road bike lower, like a MTB. That's how a lot of touring bikes are set up, which would be great for long rides with lots of hills. Jobob has a pretty cushy gear set up on her bike and it's better than a MTB because it's a nice light road bike with easy gears.

[sundial]

I really entertained the idea of putting mtb components on the new road bike that I'm getting. But deep down inside I'm really a trekker and would probably take my touring mtb for those rides.

Maillotpois, what av. speed did you have for all those hills? Do you go slow enough that you can last a long time? For me that would probably be 9-11 mph.