Climbing problems

[northshore]

Most of you know I haven't ridden in years. Last time I road was probably in 99-2000. I've been back at it again for the last several months but I can't get over this climbing problem I have (cardio and legs are a seperate issue for me ).

Scenario:
-Typically happens on medium to steep inclines
-The front wheel tends to pop up now and then
-I can't seem to keep my freakin' arms straight and when I peddle I tend to zig zag side to side
-My seat is as high as it can be with a slight bend at the knee to take advantage of the head angle
-I'm either in the granny gear or middle gear. I believe Dino has explained to me that being in a lower gear will cause the front to pop and waste my energy


What do I need to correct or keep in mind? Shift my weight? Posture? Lock out my front fork?

[el_d00der1n0]

I dropped my stem to get that front wheel down.

Other than that, I move up on my seat to where it's poking me in the uh well you know.

I try to twist my wrists down and get my nose closer to the bars.

Sometimes you have no choice but the granny gear.

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by northshore

Most of you know I haven't ridden in years. Last time I road was probably in 99-2000. I've been back at it again for the last several months but I can't get over this climbing problem I have (cardio and legs are a seperate issue for me ).

Scenario:
-Typically happens on medium to steep inclines
-The front wheel tends to pop up now and then
-I can't seem to keep my freakin' arms straight and when I peddle I tend to zig zag side to side
-My seat is as high as it can be with a slight bend at the knee to take advantage of the head angle
-I'm either in the granny gear or middle gear. I believe Dino has explained to me that being in a lower gear will cause the front to pop and waste my energy


What do I need to correct or keep in mind? Shift my weight? Posture? Lock out my front fork?

Pop up can happen if your to far back in the saddle when you start the climb slide forward a little and shift your weight forward.

Keep your elbows tucked in to your side and don't muscle the handle bars while climbing. That will cause you so zig zag.

Your seat in most XC situations should be high enough so that if you put your leg straight and your heal on the pedal your leg is straight but not locked and your hips should be even. that will give you a starting point tweak it from there until your comfortable.

also start with the saddle level them move if front and back then tilt until just right.

I'm a clyde so 1x1 will cause me to spin like crazy adding to the zig zag. try something like 1x2 if you can and keep a normal steady spin. 1x1 when you need to but keep your spin under control.

good luck.

[BrewMaster]

A longer stem will put more of your weight forward and keep that front wheel down. The other suggestions are good ones to try too.

[ghixon]

Diito on the weight shift forward on the saddle. I started doing that a year or so a go and it really improved the climbing skills.

Spin a little lower gear than you're used to now. A 1-2 rear gear drop will help lower the torque and help keep the front down. If all else fails, get out of the saddle and try hammering it and see what happens.

[allison]

Take off some of the weight on your arms. If you are gripping a lot your front wheel is more likely to go in directions.

Put your thumb on top of your bars.

[foofighter]

remember also that when you get stronger you will have to go to a higher gear as you will start to notice that with every pedal stroke your front is popping up. I went from 1x1 to 1x2 and then 2x1 and changing seating position definitely helps too...and hell getting out of your saddle for that short burst helps.

[JoeTruth]

[SIZE=3]All good advise given above. Head down, scoot your butt up closer to the nose of the saddle, keep elbows tucked, try to pull and push on pedals vs. mashing, which keeps you more centered...The bottom line here though, I bet the problem is just lack of time and conditioning in the saddle. I say that because I'm experiencing similar problems and I attribute most of it to my lack of conditioning as I haven't been riding much the past year and in the last 2-3 weeks, I've been going 2-3 times a week and feeling pathetic. Rule of thumb, first 5-6 rides down right suck and there is no way to prevent the agony but as you know, with time, all that will come back and as you become more conditioned, you'll power over such climbs and not feel so spent. Keep chugging along and push yourself a little bit more on each ride back. Good luck!




[/SIZE]

[Winger]

A few years ago I was having problems with hills. Clipless pedals & a grippy rear tire were the first key components. Then I needed a technique.

Here are some links to 2 articles that helped me figure it out.
http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/way_steep_climbing.html
http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/uphill.htm

[Sprockethead]

What everyone said, but I'd like to add

Look further ahead. When I'm climbing steep loose stuff, I tend to look in front of the wheel. This causes me to swerve around. To rectify this, I just look further ahead and I'll straighten out. Getting your butt to the nose of the saddle and dropping your shoulders closer to the bar is very important. It'll shift your weight over the front wheels and you'll experience less nose wheelies.

Conditioning will also dictate how much of this you can do as this position sucks when breathing.

[autoduel]

lose those fashionable riser bars that put your arms higher and farther back!

Seriously I just slide forward in the saddle and pull down on the bars. Staying in a higher gear helps to keep the front end down too.

[53-12]

1. Bend your elbows will help get your weight forward;
2. loose and relaxed grip - as long as the climb is non-technical I don't even wrap my thumbs under the bars, until I shift;
3. spin more, power less;
4. slide forward in the saddle - since I came to the mtb scene from a road background this was the one thing I could not carry over and had to get used to, on the road I slide to the back of the saddle to climb.
5. maybe most important 'know you can do it' - even though I had a 'reputation' as a climber on the road, I still sometimes psych myself out on some of the steep, rutted mtb climbs, ones I know I could clean it I tried.

[Pho'dUp]

For granny ring climbing on super steep stuff:

Drop your elbows. Or Boobs to the Tubes as they like to say to the ladies.

I agree sliding forward in the saddle helps. But you also do not want to unweight the rear tire too much or you will lose traction and spin the tire. Find that balance point and settle in and grind out the climb.

Also when it's super steep, I like to gentle pull back on the bars (almost gently rocking on the bike) timing it with my downward pedal stroke. This really drives the rear wheel into the ground for great traction.

Out of the saddle climbing is a different but the same. You want to still keep as much weight back for traction to keep the rear wheel from spinning. Don't pick a gear too low or you'll spin the tire.

[Sprockethead]

This usually works, have Dino Brown behind you pushing you uphill.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by northshore

I can't seem to keep my freakin' arms straight and when I peddle I tend to zig zag side to side

Your arms should never be straight, keeping your elbows as close to your body will force you to shift your weight forward.

[bobzrag]

I went through similar issues and took some time to iron out. Conditioning is one thing. I also did a lot of setup changes until I got to a point where I could climb with less front wheel issues. My bike is a bit small (but I like it on the descents) - I ended up moving from a 100mm to 120mm stem, moved my seat forward, went from riser bars (~1.5") to a low rise (~.5") and a wider bar (27"). I'm 6'4" so the wider bar is great (until you get into some tight trees - which isn't often around here).

If you are going to change your setup work on 1 thing at a time and try to borrow different pieces until you are happy with what works. This was about a 3 months process for me (weekend warrior), so give it time if that's the route you take.

[dubjay]

A smooth pedal stroke will help a bunch too. Instead of hammering down - try spinning smooth circles. That will help keep the front end from popping up as well.

[capnsavem]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

Other than that, I move up on my seat to where it's poking me in the uh well you know.

you sure thats for climbing?

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

This usually works, have Dino Brown behind you pushing you uphill.

He did the first time I rode with him talk about a class act guy!

[.8down]