Hill climbing on the Silvio

[Rick Newton]

I was wondering what are the steepest hills some of the Silvio riders have ridden. My town has a short, but steep section of road from the Strand at the pier into downtown. I have to position myself as far forward at the handlebars in order to keep the front wheel from slipping. I measured the grade with a digital level at 14%. I don't know how low I would be able to hold that position on that steep of a hill, but what a workout!
Has Anybody else out there measured their steep ascents?

 

[Drew]

I think the record has to go

I think the record has to go to Jim Parker at 24 degrees. My local hills reach 18 degrees on short sections. They are a hard ride if there is sand on the road.

http://cruzbike.com/steepest-hill-ive-climbed-246

 

[keithkling]

Percent, not degrees.

Hi Drew, I think Jim's climb was 24.7% not 24.7 degrees. 45 degrees is 100%, so 24 degrees would be more like 50%, an impossible climb. Also, Jim rode that hill with a Sofrider and a Quest, not a Silvio. Still, a very impressive climb. Rick, The most I've been able to climb with my Silvio is about 15%, and that was very difficult, with some slipping. I think if I had a lower gear it may be a little easier. I have tried leaning forward to get more weight on the front wheel, but I guess I'm just not coordinate enough, I can't get enough power with my back off the back of the seat to do any climbing. Good luck. Keith

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi,
   I've made it up some

Hi,

I've made it up some 18% grades (although this 18% grade beat me) on my Sofrider. I find that when I pull myself up with my arms, that I can get more power to the pedals (although in the case of the monster hill, not for very long before I ran out of energy).

Cheers,
Charles

 

[Lief]

Silvio climbs

Rick,
I've got two steep sections on my regular commute route.
This one : http://veloroutes.org/hillgradecalculator/?loc1=S+Massachusets+St+and+36th+ave+south&loc2=S+Massachusets+St+and+Lake+Washington+Ave+South&units=e
And one to the north of that on Irving street.

The Massachusets one averages 14.8% per that veloroutes site and the Irving one reads 17.0%.
The former is 600 feet while Irving section i ride is only 70 or so feet long.
I can do both of them without wheel slip, but it happens often enough.

I am running 165mm SRAM cranks with a rival compact double and an 11-28 10speed cassette.
When I get the 11-34 (when this one wears out) I should expect to be able to spin up those hills quite easily.
As it stands I am breathing plenty hard at the end of Massachusets.

HTHelps,
Lief

 

[Charles.Plager]

(Cool site for calculating

(Cool site for calculating the grade!)

I find that being able to spin smoothly up the hill makes a big difference as far as traction goes as well. I changed to a triple crank (48-38-28) and that granny gear goes well with the 32 cog I have in the back for the really big hills (or even the medium hills pulling a trailer). So to paraphrase from a local beer commercial:

"Gear responsibly, my friends."

Cheers,
Charles

 

[Rick Newton]

24%!!

Drew & Keith,
Wow - amazing. That would take a tripple, and that's what I'm using. Thanks for responding too, Lief & Charles.