What makes a frame / bike a good climber?

[hamster]

448 dietary calories apparently - 1880kJ.
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/ca ... sweets.htm

You must have had a fun size!

As a bit of fun, light a Pringle - it's amazing how well and long it burns. Scary the amount of energy in one! :shock:

 

[highlandsflyer]

Close, but no cigar!

The average Mars Bar is nowhere near a 100g. Ask the wife, I don't touch the things.

If I need an energy hit it is the Orkney Fudge. (The Northern Kendal Mint Cake, but actually delicious!)

 

[Tazio]

I've pondered this question and the answer seems to be

me not being on it.

 

[hamster]

Close, but no cigar!

The average Mars Bar is nowhere near a 100g. Ask the wife, I don't touch the things.

If I need an energy hit it is the Orkney Fudge. (The Northern Kendal Mint Cake, but actually delicious!)

100g...I missed that!

Quarter pounder Mars Bars!

 

[Rich Aitch]

Weight doesn't come into it. I can climb as well on my made-out-of-lead Muirwoods as I can on my lighter tartier machinery.
A long seat pillar so you can get into the right position for climbing whilst staying in the saddle for as long as poss. is much more important.
For technical climbs anything that reduces or prevents unwanted torque is good. The obvious example is a long stem and/ or wide bars because the further they are from the headset the less involuntary stearing twitch you will have. Biopace chainrings are another example giving slightly less leverage- I think- but with less chance of the wheel skidding, worth it even though the minimum granny ring size is I think 28 teeth. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/biopace.html

 

[Blackstar]

A light bike is a good thing. Agree with Zaskars being good uphill.

A light wheelset and crankset feel better, the bike responds better to your pedal input.

Be light weight if you can help it.

But most important - strong legs and the right attitude.

Be willing to stand up and pound the pedals. Bear a bit of pain.

I was in the forest today and saw where single speeders were coming from.

Stand up and battle the hill!

The other thing is feel where to stand to get grip.

If you've got suspension, notice the language of the bike.

There's a sweet spot where you can pound the pedals, but keep the bike fairly steady.

Oh yeah.. back to the bike.

I heard 29ers grip better up climbs, but never rode one.

 

[HK-II]

As Lance once said..."it's not about the bike"

 

[was8v]

Re: Climbing

In the full suspension world you need a bike with VPP or perhaps something like the Specialized Brain system to stop bobbing of the rear and absorb the ripples that break traction.

Best climbing bike for me of all time has been the Yeti ASR SL.

...which is neither VPP nor has anything like the Specialized Brain system

"Best for climbing" is rather broad to be specific, really. The bike most likely to help you up a steep, nadgery, bumpy climb isn't the same as the one that'll be fastest up a long, smooth drag.

Its does have an RP23 with pro pedal etc though.

I find my Turner Flux DW Link (VPP) a better climber than my old AS-R SL. Both are better off road climbers than my hardtails as they track the ground for better grip