How To Ride Uphill | 5 Tips for Faster Climbing

[@scotthamilton1054]

I think they missed one of the biggest tips which is: alternate between seated and standing efforts. Work the climb seated at proper gearing and cadence and as the legs tire shift to two gears (harder) then work the hill out of the saddle to work a different muscle group. I actually use the front chain ring for this technique at times but mainly the rear cassette. This alternating back and forth between sitting a standing (while compensating the gearing) not only works different muscle groups but I find that it also helps to mentally bucket the climb,,,which reminds me of another mental trick. When the hill really starts to get to me I use markers on the road side like mailboxes for instance, to give me short term goals. AND never look and fixate too much on the hill ahead,, never look the beast in the eyes. Then it has all the power. Keep your head down and focus sharp,, sit, stand shift gears , use mailboxes.

[@sirjlp7413]

I'm so going to try this!

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I believe Luis Ocaña' used this as a training technique to improve his climbing leading into the 1970 season when he went from being mostly a time-trialist, to a superb breakaway climber as well. He would go on to win the Tour, and Veulta.

[@spencer.kissack.the.author]

Great advice Scott 👍🏻

[@rpvespa]

Thank you coach Scott.👍

[@warrenchau2154]

When I climb and spin on my saddle, I find sometimes sitting up straighter using the top flat part of the bar more optimal for getting more oxygen. Also I feel more rhythm climbing too and pick up extra 0.5-1km/hr more. Looking down holding the tops causes some mental stress occasionally and reduces ability to get that extra oxygen.

[@markowsley4954]

For gearing I would need a 46-30 on the front and 11-36 on the rear. Even better is my triple with a low of 26 in the front and the 11-36 rear. When you're old and fat low gears are your friend.

[@astrayagrarian]

I’m not old nor fat. I’m young and decently fit considering the amount of time a ride every week. I still prefer having a lower gear(s) that I know I will need to keep my optimal cadence instead of worrying if I have enough high gears for a downhill which won’t even matter because: 1. I’m not racing 2. I’m not trying to catch up to anyone anyway

[@astrayagrarian]

Like how often does anyone even need to get anywhere close to a 50x11 gear combo on flats and even while descending most riders don’t need that big of a gear. If you do, you should stop trying to be Mr. Euro Elite Pro Cyclist. Just tuck and you’ll be flying just as fast down some epic hills.

[@diegoleiva7242]

I'm 36 but I've had two surgeries on my knees due to a car accident 10 years ago. I certainly don't want a third visit to the surgeon so I use a 50-34 crank with a 12-32 cassette since I love climbs and in Chile there's a ton of them. Mashing just doesn't work for me.

[@vasusharma28]

you should look into 1x or 2x gravel gearings. Can go low to 42 in the 1x front and 12-50 in the back as an example.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

You don't even need to be old and fat. If you live in a really hilly area, or even if there are just several short, steep climbs on your ride, and/or you're a spinner by nature, having really low gears just makes total sense.

[@tajulislam1522]

I find leaning forwards with my shoulders slightly beyond the handle bar i.e. putting a lot of my upper body weight towards the front axle helps me climb a bit better. It means, I can take some of the stress away from my legs but also use my body weight to peddle up the hill. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone but it kind of works for me. It's just lactic acid is the major killer... **sorry, forgot to add, the above only works for me whilst riding off the saddle.**

[@Martin_Neal]

If one is shifting the (front) chainring whilst climbing; then, I recommend being standing on the pedals, slowing to a lower pedaling cadence; then, shift and sit in a continuous movement. The change of the front gear will coincide with one's dropping onto the saddle. It is easier to 'spin' whilst sitting on the saddle, right?

[@spencer.kissack.the.author]

I've got a TCR 2020. Comes stocked with compact & 11-34 teeth on the cassette & I'm bloody glad for those extra teeth much of the time.

[@arthurhood8030]

Was thinking at 3:20 looks very familiar - if I'm not careful I get the same problem up my local climb, either rear wheelspin when out of the saddle or wheelying when seated. Then at 4:20.. hey that is my local climb! If I'm not mistaken Steyning Bostal (Strava Official 100 climbs No21) :-)

[@Titanium308]

the last tip, best one for me!!

[@rpvespa]

Thank you cycling weekly for being time wise. GCN waffle on to much.

[@GEO-cy9jt]

Unless you’re racing... subcompact cranksets are golden ✨

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

This is a great post, and I'm really surprised we don't see more of them standard on road bikes in the sub $2000 range. At least sold in regions that are at all hilly.

[@erikjohnson6484]

Great tips. Missed a very important one that works hand in hand with gearing. Wheel size.

[@markgunn6680]

It's a good idea to go side-saddle when climbing.

[@JogBird]

turn the assist level on your ebike to high

[@Thezuule1]

Any tips for how to unclip if you get yourself completely out of gas going up a steep hill? I'm always worried I'm just going to fall over sideways at a dead stop lol.

[@gayamol9888]

Who else like the side to side climbing tip

[@dtmateo]

You need to love riding slow. If you can’t ride slow then forget about steep gradients.

[@bentara0]

Thanks!

[@fredolin80]

What size for 5'81/2 female

[@J88HNT]

Missed the obvious one. Find a bunch of local hills and include them into your training plan routinely.

[@sergeissakov5002]

This.

[@richcastle6796]

You could literally say this about every information video on KZbin!

[@markanderson3870]

I"m not a great cyclist, but I just grind it out in highest gear. Then I usually pass everybody. 53/12, I'm dying at the top, but so is everyone else trying to catch me. That's less than a kilometer though, haha.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

And don't forget the old school setup of 52/42 😁👍.....

[@andyjame4015]

*Bella*

[@attybong]

aside from the fact that they don't have to spend for their drive trains, why do you think most if not all pros cross chain on steep climbs?

[@teehotice5097]

This bike was really easy to assemble kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.

[@byrondixon4648]

Best tip for getting better at climbing - Ride more hills. Shame it's true. Second best tip and it helped me - start the climb at your average pace of your pb up that climb... Check Strava to get your average.

[@Andy_ATB]

Lose weight and use a MTB cassette; however, climbing is mainly a physical effort, not a skill based test - for some people no matter how much they do it, they'll never be climbers.

[@J88HNT]

100%. If you’re heavy and fit you will still be slower at climbing than the lighter riders.

[@AndrewBlucher]

2:45 as much speed and momentum before hitting the climb ... This only works when the climb is just a bump. Don't crunch through your gears ... Correct, use nothing less than Campag Chorus. Record or above if possible. Fishing equipment is for fishing.

[@ralvesco]

I climb like a slug, terrible terrain for me, really need to train a lot...

[@4rr44E]

Seat height is critical in getting the most out of your pedal stroke on climbs as well.

[@woodee8948]

Bike shops are so conservative when it comes to chain ring recommendations. It is really annoying.

[@ClemB-n5g]

Stick it in the 53x11 and pedal harder.

[@LegSpinna]

I say, hairy legs on a cycling channel. Whatever next!

[@J88HNT]

Breaking the rules is unacceptable!

[@michaelcloherty5352]

You forgot my set up 36 46 cranks and a 46 cassette climbing mount ventoux anyone

[@paulojrg]

Pulling on your pedals while climbing gives an extra one or two teeth in the cassette or a couple less on the chainrings while also aiding in resting some muscles.

[@roadracer1584]

How to ride steep hills? Simple. Lose weight and consume massive amounts of PED's like EPO and steroids. Be like Lance. Lance doped so why can't you? Lance is my hero.

[@hayabusa27]

Bring lots of water

[@sergeissakov5002]

Sorry, but I found the advice in this video so lame that I disliked it. Tips on improving climbing have to start with losing weight via diet and exercise and improving fitness, especially climbing fineness, by, you know, climbing. Everything else is just a relatively minor improvement. But as others noted a big one among those you missed is developing, with practice, the ability to climb while standing and alternating between sitting and standing positions. Stuff like choosing a slightly less steep line and changing to compact gearing is not going to do much comparatively. Regarding learning to start on a steep incline the best practice is working on your track stand skills and especially starting from stop into a track stand. You can practice that on flats and once you’ve got that down starting on steeps is nothing. But nothing helps like losing five pounds off the gut.

[@thedeadparrotsketch]

Not many of us are blessed with the balance to do track standing...

[@astrayagrarian]

Uhhh, literally just have the proper gearing. That usually means sub-compact gearing even for those peope who are decently fit/amateur racers. It’s hilarious to me that you still have regular folks riding compact 50/34 chainrings and 11-28 in the rear as if they can hold over 4-4.5 watts comfortably for long and/or steep climbs. Everyone should be jumping on more compact gearing, period unless of course they like having messed up knees. I currently run 46/30 chairings with an 11-32 12 speed cassette in the rear and that’s pretty much gets me up any climb at normal wattage + optimal cadence.

[@Imthekingofdogshite]

@Wilderness Music well there’s a vast area of the world where you’d find it very difficult to get 10miles at 6-12% and even if it was at most cyclists doorstep you’d be hard pushed finding many that would want to do that regularly. Therefore a 28 on the back with a compact or semi isn’t that hard to understand.

[@YoToddYo]

I'm not watching. Can you say the main points?

[@RossTheNinja]

Pick the biggest gear you can Ride on the inside of corners Go as hard as you can

[@AndrewBlucher]

Single speed 56 X 13 :-)

[@mirza7998]

👌🥰👌👍

[@MrAici]

Or just get E-bike😉

[@michaelhart5070]

Or you could just get a ebike lol