What Bike Gears To Use On Hills [6 Tips for Choosing Right Gear Before Hill]

The Short Answer is:

When climbing hills, it's important to use the appropriate bike gear to maintain a comfortable cycling cadence. Muscling up a steep hill in a massive gear might feel heroic, but it's probably slower and it's costing you more energy too. The majority of bikes now have access to compact/sub-compact chainsets, long-cage rear derailleurs, and much larger bike cassettes, which can allow practically anyone to spin up steep climbs at a comfortable cycling cadence, rather than turning them into a series of leg presses. A compact chainset with 50and 34-tooth chainrings is a good starting point for any endurance bike, and at the back, you’ll normally get a cassette that goes from 11 teeth for its smallest sprocket up to 30, 34, or more teeth for its largest. That should give you plenty of low range to tackle steeper uphills, with the lowest ratios close to or below 1:1.

Bike gears are an essential component of any bike, and using them properly can make a significant difference in your cycling experience. When it comes to climbing hills, using the right gears can help you maintain a comfortable cycling cadence and conserve energy.

In this article, we will explore the different types of gearing used on bicycles, how they work, and how to use them, with a focus on what bike gears to use on hills.

Understanding the Basics of Bike Gears

Understanding the basics of bike gears is essential for any cyclist, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider. The gearing system on a bike is designed to help you make the most of your muscle power, and choosing the right gear can make a significant difference in your cycling experience.

The drivetrain of a conventional multi-speed bike includes several components, such as the crankset, cassette, chain, and derailleur, which work together to convert the effort you put in at the pedals to a certain output at your wheel.

Choosing the Right Gear Before the Hill

Choosing the right gear before the hill is crucial to maintaining a comfortable cycling cadence and conserving energy. Here are some tips to help you choose the right gear before you hit the hill:

1. Approach uphill situations with an appropriate amount of momentum, a higher gear, and less throttle to reduce torque, which also reduces wheel spin.
2. If you’re using a manual transmission, use second or third gear when you head up a steep incline – and don’t change gears once you’ve committed to the climb.
3. Running the chain on the larger chainring gives you a larger (harder) gear that moves you further forward with every pedal revolution, as does running a smaller sprocket at the back.
4. Consider changing your bike’s gearing system to get lower gears if you find yourself struggling on hills.
5. For BMX bikes, gearing ratios can be measured and altered to provide appropriate rollout ranges.
6. When gearing for a specific race, consider gearing specifically for the climbs and to make it up while still being able to pedal at race pace.

By choosing the right gear before the hill, you can make your uphill cycling experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

The Importance of Gear Ratios

Gear ratios are an essential aspect of bike gears, and understanding them is crucial for choosing the right gear when climbing hills. The gear ratio is the ratio between the number of teeth on two gears that are turning together.

It may also apply to two sprockets connected by the same chain or pulleys connected by a drive belt. The gear ratio is designed to reduce the torque by increasing the speed, and vice versa.

In a practical sense, for every one time the smaller gear turns, the larger gear will turn a certain number of times, depending on the gear ratio.

The gear ratio is especially important for complex systems, like the gears in your car, and can have a dramatic effect on performance. For example, a higher numeric ratio provides better acceleration, while a lower numeric ratio provides more top speed.

Gear Selection for Different Types of Hills

When it comes to choosing the right gear for different types of hills, gear ratios play a crucial role. The gear ratio determines how much torque is applied to the rear wheel for each turn of the pedals, and it can have a significant impact on your ability to climb hills.

For steep hills, a lower gear ratio is recommended, as it allows you to maintain a comfortable cadence and conserve energy.

For rolling hills, a medium gear ratio is ideal, as it allows you to maintain a consistent speed without exerting too much effort. For flat terrain, a higher gear ratio is recommended, as it allows you to maintain a high speed with minimal effort.

Shifting Techniques for Efficient Climbing

Shifting techniques are essential for efficient climbing, and mastering them can help you conserve energy and maintain a comfortable cadence. Here are some tips for efficient shifting when climbing hills:

1. Anticipate the hill: Look ahead and anticipate the hill’s incline and length. This will help you choose the right gear before you start climbing.
2. Shift early: Shift to a lower gear before you start climbing the hill. This will help you maintain a comfortable cadence and avoid straining your muscles.
3. Use your gears: Use your gears to maintain a consistent cadence as you climb the hill. Shift to a lower gear as the hill gets steeper and shift to a higher gear as the hill levels out.
4. Don’t be afraid to shift: If you find yourself struggling to maintain your cadence, don’t be afraid to shift to a lower gear. This will help you conserve energy and make it easier to climb the hill.
5. Use your body: Use your body weight to help you shift gears. Shift your weight forward to shift to a higher gear and shift your weight back to shift to a lower gear.
6. Practice: Practice shifting gears on hills to get a feel for what works best for you. With practice, you’ll be able to choose the right gear and maintain a comfortable cadence throughout the climb.

Pacing and Cadence on Uphills

When climbing hills, pacing and cadence are crucial to maintaining a comfortable cycling experience. Pacing refers to the speed at which you climb the hill, while cadence refers to the number of pedal strokes per minute.

To maintain a comfortable cadence, it’s important to choose the right gear before the hill and shift gears as needed to maintain a consistent cadence. A cadence of 60-80 revolutions per minute (rpm) is recommended for most riders, but this can vary depending on your fitness level and the steepness of the hill.

It’s also important to pace yourself when climbing hills, as going too hard too soon can lead to fatigue and burnout. Instead, try to maintain a steady pace throughout the climb, using your gears to adjust your speed as needed.

Maintaining Momentum on Descents

Maintaining momentum on descents is an essential aspect of efficient cycling, and it can help you conserve energy and maintain a consistent speed. When descending, it’s important to choose the right gear to maintain a comfortable cadence and avoid spinning out.

A higher gear ratio is recommended for descents, as it allows you to maintain a high speed with minimal effort. It’s also important to maintain a stable body position and use your brakes judiciously to control your speed.

Braking too hard or too frequently can lead to overheating and loss of control, so it’s important to use your brakes in short, controlled bursts. Finally, it’s important to look ahead and anticipate any obstacles or changes in terrain, such as turns or bumps, and adjust your speed and body position accordingly.

Gearing for Technical and Steep Hills

Gearing for technical and steep hills requires a different approach than gearing for rolling hills or flat terrain. Technical hills, such as switchbacks or rocky terrain, require a lower gear ratio to maintain a comfortable cadence and avoid stalling out.

Steep hills, on the other hand, require a balance between a low gear ratio and a high enough gear to maintain momentum.

A compact chainset with 50and 34-tooth chainrings is a good starting point for any endurance bike, and at the back, you’ll normally get a cassette that goes from 11 teeth for its smallest sprocket up to 30, 34, or more teeth for its largest.

That should give you plenty of low range to tackle steeper uphills, with lowest ratios close to or below 1:1. It’s also important to use your gears judiciously and shift early to maintain a consistent cadence and avoid straining your muscles.

Finally, it’s important to practice on technical and steep hills to get a feel for what works best for you and develop your skills and confidence.

Adaptations for E-Bikes and Multi-Speed Bikes

Adaptations for e-bikes and multi-speed bikes can make a significant difference in your ability to climb hills efficiently and comfortably. E-bikes, which are equipped with electric motors, can provide additional power to help you climb hills with less effort.

However, it’s still important to choose the right gear and maintain a comfortable cadence to avoid straining your muscles. Multi-speed bikes, which are equipped with multiple gears, can provide a wide range of gear ratios to help you climb hills of varying steepness.

It’s important to choose the right gear before the hill and shift gears as needed to maintain a consistent cadence and avoid straining your muscles.

Additionally, some multi-speed bikes are equipped with advanced gearing systems, such as electronic shifting or automatic shifting, which can make it easier to shift gears and maintain a comfortable cadence.

Practice and Skill Development

Practice and skill development are essential for mastering the art of cycling and choosing the right gear for hills. Here are some tips for practicing and developing your cycling skills:

1. Start small: Begin by practicing on small hills and gradually work your way up to steeper and more technical terrain. This will help you build your confidence and develop your skills.
2. Focus on technique: Focus on your technique when climbing hills, such as maintaining a consistent cadence and using your gears judiciously. This will help you climb more efficiently and conserve energy.
3. Experiment with gear ratios: Experiment with different gear ratios to find the ones that work best for you. This will help you climb hills more comfortably and efficiently.
4. Practice shifting: Practice shifting gears on hills to get a feel for what works best for you. With practice, you’ll be able to choose the right gear and maintain a comfortable cadence throughout the climb.
5. Seek feedback: Seek feedback from other cyclists or a coach to help you identify areas for improvement and develop your skills.
6. Set goals: Set goals for yourself, such as climbing a certain hill or achieving a certain speed, to help you stay motivated and focused on your skill development.

By practicing and developing your cycling skills, you’ll be able to choose the right gear for hills and climb more efficiently and comfortably.

Conclusion on What Bike Gears To Use On Hills

In conclusion, choosing the right gear for hills is essential for maintaining a comfortable cycling cadence and conserving energy. By understanding the basics of bike gears, choosing the right gear before the hill, and using the appropriate gear ratios for different types of hills, you can climb hills safely and efficiently.

Shifting techniques, pacing, and cadence are also important factors to consider when climbing hills. Finally, practicing and developing your cycling skills can help you master the art of cycling and choose the right gear for hills.

Whether you’re riding a 7-speed bike or an e-bike, the key is to find the gear ratio that works best for you and the terrain you’ll be riding on. With these tips and techniques, you’ll be able to climb hills with confidence and enjoy the ride.