Minimum Speed Climbing
- Thread starter jrs665
- Start date
jrs665
New Member
I do about 3-4mph up a 15% hill on my sports recumbent trike (ICE VTX). Hopfully the V20 can climb faster if 4mph is the slowest it can handle.
I think it's rider dependent on when the rider loses balances. I have been riding Cruzbike for 7 years and still can't ride hands free whereas others can do that after a couple years. I need to work on my balance more.
kizarmynot
Member
Not completely on topic - is there a difference in climbing for the various models? I'm fairly upright on a Q45 and have wondered if there is a loss in climbing ability as the seat angle decreases on the other models. I know I can lean into the seat while climbing in my current configuration, but suspect that would change with seat angle.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
It depends on the slope for me. Other than learning to balance when I first got my V20 I spend all of my time on the flats and keeping my speed above 30kph so I don't have a lot of low speed balance. With that said, I have taken my V20 on the Tokyo Olympic route numerous times, and on some of those steep sections my speed was in the 8-9kph range, which is about 4-5mph. I was wobbly, but I am sure that both an S40 and a V20 is going to be considerably lighter than your ICE VTX.
I asked around and was told that up to about a 3% slope for 78kg rider the V20 is faster than a road bike. On a slope higher than that a road bike will start to pull away, and my Strava ride and MyWindsock calculated CdA pretty much matches that calculation that was done for me. I think the biggest reason for that difference in climbing speed is simply that a V20 weighs a bit more than my road bike.
I asked around and was told that up to about a 3% slope for 78kg rider the V20 is faster than a road bike. On a slope higher than that a road bike will start to pull away, and my Strava ride and MyWindsock calculated CdA pretty much matches that calculation that was done for me. I think the biggest reason for that difference in climbing speed is simply that a V20 weighs a bit more than my road bike.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Good question kizarmynot. I don't get the feeling of pressing my back into the seat in hard efforts that feels like leg presses or squats in a gym. This is just my style of riding but I pull on the bars much like what we do on road bikes to generate more power. Occasionally, I do focus on my pedaling style and try to get the feeling of pressing my back into the seat instead, and I don't slide up my V20's Ventisit seat when doing so. I would think that the higher seat angles such as on the S40 or Q45 change the hip angle enough to affect climbing ability, but I don't have any proof that it is beneficial. I will say this though... when my legs need a break but I still want to keep up the pace, I'll scoot down the seat a tad which seems to help me keep the watts up and provide a little bit of relief from the muscles that have been screaming for a bit.
jrs665
New Member
The advertised weight of the V20c is 26lbs , the ICE VTX is 30bs.
The V20 being faster than a diamond frame road bike upto a 3% slope is similar findings to aero wheels being faster than light wheels for slopes upto 5%.
Last edited:
IyhelM
Active Member
You can probably add 2 to 4 mph to your climbing speed on a V20 compared to a VTX, which would bring you in the 6 mph range which is manageable steadily without too much effort after some miles.
Usually I climb at 5-6 mph whatever the slope above 5%; when travelling particularly loaded I can get down to 3.5 mph but I need to pull on my arms (gives a bit more power and traction and bringing more weight on the steering column helps with balance) and it is not sustainable for long climbs.
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
There are several variables when it comes to climbing with Cruzbikes, some related to the bike, some to the rider. I climb a fair amount on my V20c and S30 and have enough practice over nine years that I don't tend to have balance issues, even at slow speeds (though at first, I was all over the place when climbing). The only time that I had to get off and walk was mostly a gearing issue. One climb had a couple of longer pitches above 20%, and my 36t chainring and 28t largest cog was not a low enough gear. My legs. Just. Couldn't. Do. It. So gearing selection that is appropriate to the terrain and rider fitness is one consideration. If you can maintain a decent cadence/spin while climbing, balance becomes less of an issue. A 32t cog probably would have made the difference for me, just barely, on that climb.
My V20c comes in around 23 pounds, while my S30 is about 24 pounds. But I can climb a tiny bit faster on the S30. My theory is the more upright seat angle gives me more of a platform to push against. I had an S40 for a while and it too was speedy climber. But for fatigue, my old V20 and current V20c have always allowed me to climb longer, making it perhaps the better climber overall. Not sure why that is. Also, I deal the least with wheel slippage while climbing on the V20/V20c, a little bit more on the S30, and the most with the S40. Some of that might be because the more upright seat angles allow me to push harder on the pedals, increasing the chance of breaking traction on uneven, loose, or wet surfaces. I also only weigh 130 pounds, so I don't have a lot of weight on that front wheel.
The Q45, with its even steeper seat angle, should be a good climber in terms of allowing a rider to apply power. The bike's heavier weight might negate some of that. Practice, fitness, and gearing perhaps matter more than which CB model you are on.
My V20c comes in around 23 pounds, while my S30 is about 24 pounds. But I can climb a tiny bit faster on the S30. My theory is the more upright seat angle gives me more of a platform to push against. I had an S40 for a while and it too was speedy climber. But for fatigue, my old V20 and current V20c have always allowed me to climb longer, making it perhaps the better climber overall. Not sure why that is. Also, I deal the least with wheel slippage while climbing on the V20/V20c, a little bit more on the S30, and the most with the S40. Some of that might be because the more upright seat angles allow me to push harder on the pedals, increasing the chance of breaking traction on uneven, loose, or wet surfaces. I also only weigh 130 pounds, so I don't have a lot of weight on that front wheel.
The Q45, with its even steeper seat angle, should be a good climber in terms of allowing a rider to apply power. The bike's heavier weight might negate some of that. Practice, fitness, and gearing perhaps matter more than which CB model you are on.
jrs665
New Member
Interesting. Personaly I feel that the lower the seating angle the more power I can put down, it also feels more natural.
I would have thought that the q45 would have less wheelslip as more weight over the front wheel due to your upright sitting position.
LarryOz
Cruzeum Curator & Sigma Wrangler
If you ride with wider handlebars you will have better balance on the steeper slopes (with practice) - I have personally witnessed Tor climbing 23% grades slowly and methodically , where I could not do it - partly because out of practice but partly because I had super narrow handlebars barley wide enough for my legs to fit it. There is also the aspect of power. You must have the necessary smooth W/kg power to maintain a constant speed up the slope you intend to go up. Only practice and suitable fitness to maintain your min speed for the grade will tell you if you are able.
jrs665
New Member
The v20 with aero wheels and the other 2 with aero bodies look super cool.
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
My description is purely anecdotal. I struggle to understand why I've noticed different patterns with the various CB models I've owned, and other riders might have a different experience from mine. I agree that the V20 position feels most natural. It has an all-day level of comfort that the others don't quite have. And it is the fastest overall of the CBs I've owned, so the 20 degree seat angle doesn't seem to hamper power output. That the thing also climbs well? All the better.
Randyc3
Well-Known Member
Description of what I try to do for climbs. I’m guessing about 2 mph. I focus on power balanced, even spinning. If I start wobbling, I try to pull more with my legs. Sometimes I will pull myself up to the bar for brief periods where the hill incline is extreme(10+ deg) to shift leg fatigue and my perceived power always being mindful of traction. Safe riding all!
jrs665
New Member
Which bike do you find it easier to climb with , the V20 or S40?
