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Climbing when wet

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  • October 1, 2012 at 12:04 pm #16943
    MrBLH

    Climbing a steep hill(Barhatch lane ~20%) yesterday the rear wheel slipped a few times after getting damp passing through a puddle.
    Fortunately grip returned as the rest of the road was dry, however this lead me to think how do you climb when the road is wet?

    Is there a particular technique, is it about equipment, should I just avoid steep hills when wet?

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  • October 3, 2012 at 7:53 pm #702597
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    MrBLH

    What tyres for( to stw
    What tyres for( 😉 to stw regulars) wet roads?

    I assume the compound can make difference in the wet, I use Rubino pro’s year round so have no other point of comparison.
    Would the added drag of a ‘grippy’ tyre be more of a pain on the flat to outweigh any benefit?

    @giff77 not a pleasant feeling losing traction 🙁

    October 3, 2012 at 5:30 pm #702595
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    giff77

    Took a diversion on way home.
    Took a diversion on way home. Hill, cobbles, avg 11% with a 15% ramp half way up. Not a great idea once into the more sheltered bit which was still wet and I hadn’t thought about. Bad idea – back wheel not biting. Scared the **** out of me. Bounced on the saddle to get some traction. Fortunately managed to put enough weight down and get over to the dry stretch.

    October 2, 2012 at 7:59 pm #702593
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    Farky

    Wheelie up the hill!
    No
    Wheelie up the hill!

    No seriously, if you apply the same technique to riding up a steep hill as you would to a wheelie, you will put all your weight over the rear and the correct pressure over the pedals, just don’t pull up on the bars, pull back and don’t kick the pedals to start off.

    Reduced tyre pressure will assist but then who actually needs to ride about on anything over 70 psi anyway, save that benefit for racing or a big long sportive.

    Gears do matter as well, if this is a regular route, maybe you want a different rear sprocket if possible. You could go further looking at crank length and front rings but then you could also look at frame profiles and stem length which are all costly. Just a rear sprocket change would do.

    Only other thing is commitment to suffer…lots.

    October 2, 2012 at 7:18 am #702591
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    Darthshearer

    FATBEGGARONABIKE wrote:Sorry

    FATBEGGARONABIKE wrote:
    Sorry I can’t give advice on this because the only climbing I do whilst wet is out of the bath =))

    =)) =))

    October 2, 2012 at 7:14 am #702589
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    Bob's Bikes

    Sorry I can’t give advice on
    Sorry I can’t give advice on this because the only climbing I do whilst wet is out of the bath =))

    October 1, 2012 at 4:56 pm #702587
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    MrBLH

    Darthshearer wrote:Also, try

    Darthshearer wrote:
    Also, try and avoid going through puddles ;)

    … You mean stay at home? 😉

    October 1, 2012 at 4:48 pm #702585
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    Darthshearer

    I always pull up MrBLH, same
    I always pull up MrBLH, same as when on the MTB. Its more efficient.

    Its a case of getting your self weighted correctly thats all.

    I have noticed some roads are worse than others, i.e fresh tarmac is slippy.

    October 1, 2012 at 4:25 pm #702583
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    MrBLH

    Busyish thread full of useful
    Busyish thread full of useful info – thanks.
    I’m used to spinning it out on the mtb, however cannot resist the need to stand when climbing on a road bike, the lack of gears get to me… maybe I need to man up and find more steep hills to practice on.

    To answer some of the questions/thoughts –
    Down to 70 kg (5’11”) so not too heavy.
    In clips.
    95 – 100 psi.

    “when wet” = unavoidable damp surface 😉

    So heals up or down?

    October 1, 2012 at 2:46 pm #702581
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    Simon E

    When I’m climbing, huffing
    When I’m climbing, huffing and puffing, grovelling and hurting the very last thing I can consider doing is a “devastating Contador-esque attack”!

    That is firmly in the dreams department (up the stairs and second cupboard on the left, BTW).

    Interesting point re. tyre pressure Sam. 120 psi sounds high even for heavier riders on good surfaces. I’m quite light but I find 80 psi plenty except for time trialling (95-100 psi).

    October 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm #702579
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    Darthshearer

    Chris wrote:Yep, sit up, head

    Chris wrote:
    Yep, sit up, head up, heels down.
    If you can position your hands on top of the bars, not on hoods, so much the better, as that lifts your body upright a bit more. If it does get too steep to keep the cranks spinning without standing up, just try to keep your weight back a bit and ignore the natural impulse to lean forward over the bars for more power.

    If you are riding with clips, you dont want heels down on a climb when “pulling up” as its not efficient.

    October 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm #702577
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    Chris

    Yep, sit up, head up, heels
    Yep, sit up, head up, heels down.
    If you can position your hands on top of the bars, not on hoods, so much the better, as that lifts your body upright a bit more. If it does get too steep to keep the cranks spinning without standing up, just try to keep your weight back a bit and ignore the natural impulse to lean forward over the bars for more power.

    October 1, 2012 at 2:14 pm #702575
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    Darthshearer

    Yennings wrote:Think I’m

    Yennings wrote:
    Think I’m right in saying that ideally, cyclists should always stay seated on climbs. Better traction being the main reason. It’s just that most of us mortals need to stand up occasionally on the really steep bits and/or to use different muscles. Or to launch devastating, Contador-esque attacks, obvs.

    Depends on what rider you are physiologically.

    If you are carrying a bit of padding, stay seated as your legs are not having to hold your weight and try and climb at the same time.

    If you are lighter, i.e Contador, you can afford to stand and get more power into the cranks.

    However, back to the OP, I would go on the advice of sitting and getting a balance of weight. Also, try and avoid going through puddles 😉

    October 1, 2012 at 12:35 pm #702573
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    Yennings

    Think I’m right in saying
    Think I’m right in saying that ideally, cyclists should always stay seated on climbs. Better traction being the main reason. It’s just that most of us mortals need to stand up occasionally on the really steep bits and/or to use different muscles. Or to launch devastating, Contador-esque attacks, obvs.

    October 1, 2012 at 12:33 pm #702571
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    SamShaw

    What pressure are you running
    What pressure are you running in your tyres? I cycle a 25% climb on the way to work sometimes and get the same problem, I did it on Saturday while racing a hill climb and dropped tyre pressure from 120 to 90psi. It gave me a lot more grip, even when out of the saddle.

    October 1, 2012 at 12:21 pm #702569
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    Simon E

    I’ve read that a combination
    I’ve read that a combination of remaining seated and keeping some of your weight over the rear wheel combined with a smoother pedalling technique is the way to do it (as frequently practised by skilled MTB riders trying for grip on steep climbs).

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