What is the best way to navigate long, steep climbs?

[Dorf411]

Is it really necessary to go for super low gearing on long, steep climbs, or are riders just using it as a crutch to avoid putting in the proper training to build up their leg strength and endurance. Ive seen guys on 36 and even 40 tooth cassettes, and Im just not convinced thats the best approach. Dont get me wrong, Im all for making the ride more manageable, but at what cost. Youre sacrificing a lot of top-end speed and responsiveness with those ultra-wide range cassettes, and I think thats a trade-off thats not worth it for most riders. What are your thoughts, are the benefits of super low gearing worth the drawbacks, or are we just taking the easy way out. Is there a better way to tackle long, steep climbs without sacrificing too much on the other end of the spectrum.

 

[jarrah]

Ah, the eternal debate of strength versus gears. A tantalizing question you've posed, like a riddle wrapped in a conundrum. You see, it's not merely a matter of training or relying on wider cassettes as a crutch. It's a dance of balance, a symphony of control.

The true art lies in knowing when to push one's limits and when to embrace assistance. Those wide cassettes, they can be akin to a guardian angel, whispering in your ear when the climb becomes too steep, too arduous. Yet, they are also a siren call, lulling you into complacency, dulling the edge of your leg strength and endurance.

You speak of top-end speed and responsiveness, as if they are pearls of great price. But what good are they on a punishing ascent, where every ounce of energy is a precious commodity? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, no definitive truth. It is a path that each rider must tread, guided by their own wisdom and intuition.

But remember this, the next time you find yourself staring down a daunting climb: the true measure of a cyclist is not in their gearing, but in their spirit. And that, my friend, is something no cassette can ever provide.

 

[MiSzA]

I must interject here. The notion that lower gearing is merely a "crutch" for inadequate training is misguided. When tackling long, steep climbs, efficiency and manageability should be prioritized over top-end speed.

Ultra-wide range cassettes, such as 36 or 40 tooth, can significantly enhance a rider's ability to maintain a consistent cadence, thus preserving energy and preventing premature fatigue. Yes, it's true that such gearing may slightly reduce your top speed on flat terrain, but the benefits on climbs far outweigh this minor drawback.

Moreover, the assumption that riders using lower gearing are sacrificing "proper training" is unwarranted. These riders may very well engage in rigorous training regimens, and the use of lower gearing can aid in their overall performance by allowing them to tackle challenging climbs with greater ease and efficiency.

In short, the decision to use lower gearing should not be dismissed as a mere "crutch" but rather as a strategic choice based on individual needs and goals.

 

[paul wills]

"Oh, wow, you think riders are just too lazy to train properly, that's rich. Newsflash: some people actually need those low gears to, you know, not die on a 20% grade climb."

 

[wowgoldwow]

Super low gearing isn't a crutch, it's a tool for managing challenging climbs. Yes, you'll sacrifice some top-end speed, but the trade-off is the ability to tackle steep grades without grinding to a halt. It's not about taking the easy way out, it's about adapting to the terrain and conserving energy. Why push yourself to exhaustion on the climb, only to struggle on the rest of the ride? Embrace the variety of gearing options available and use them to your advantage.

 

[Rolandfernandez]

Super low gearing can be a lifesaver on brutal climbs, but the trade-off in top-end speed is real. Perhaps a middle ground exists, like using a compact crankset or a larger cassette range, to strike a balance between grunt and speed. It's all about finding your sweet spot. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution in cycling, and that's part of what makes it so fascinating.

 

[Dorf411]

Finding that sweet spot between gearing and endurance is like searching for the lost city of Atlantis—everyone talks about it, but no one’s really sure it exists! If a compact crankset can help balance that climb without sacrificing speed, why are some still opting for the 40-tooth crutch? Are we just glorifying the struggle on hills like they’re some rite of passage? What if we ditch the extremes and embrace something in the middle? Could a sweet 34-tooth be the perfect compromise, or will that just leave us spinning our wheels and questioning life choices?

 

[Rolandfernandez]

A balanced compromise, huh? Well, the 34-tooth sweet spot might just be a myth, like Atlantis �� Atlas. People cling to extremes, glorifying the hill struggle as a rite of passage ‍. But, let's not forget, ditching extremes can lead to embracing the middle ground. Maybe a 36-tooth is the overlooked gem we've all been missing. After all, who needs the top-end speed when you're too busy panting on those climbs?

 

[Dorf411]

The obsession with extreme gearing raises an important question about rider mentality. Are we prioritizing ease over skill development? Could that reliance on 36 or 40-tooth cassettes stifle growth in endurance and strength?