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Is it possible to ride up 30% on a 34×28 compact?

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  • January 20, 2014 at 8:27 pm #20513
    tomturcan

    Just got entry papers for Fred Whitton 2014 so really excited. But when it comes to Hardnott, is it actually possible to get up a 30% gradient on a “standard” compact road bike with 34×28? I read Contador chose 32×28 for Zoncolan at “only” 22% so what hope us mortals, other than getting a triple of a mountain bike.

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  • January 20, 2014 at 8:54 pm #769373
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    Flying Scot

    A 14 stone friend recently
    A 14 stone friend recently done it on a 34-30, he has only been cycling seriously for 18 months, so I would say a regular compact no problem.

    also, I’ve been at this 30 years and although I’ve not done the Hardknott pass myself, a 42 – 28 was considered a girly gear back in the day. Since I’ve been older/fatter I run a 39 -28, which gets me up almost any road, though nearing 1 in 20, I’m really struggling and away down at 4 mph.

    January 20, 2014 at 8:49 pm #769371
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    bashthebox

    Zoncolan’s 1000m+ though, and
    Zoncolan’s 1000m+ though, and he spins a fair bit faster than us mere mortals when he goes uphill, I suspect.
    Strava reckons the average for Harknott is 12% with 30% ramps… Zoncolan’s 13% for it’s ascent with 25% ramps.

    Anyway, you’ll be fine. You don’t like your lungs or your legs anyway, and they’ll hate you afterwards. SO it’s all ok really.

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