Question about gearing at the bottom of a hill

[CatherineB]

I start my trip home from work right at the bottom of a killer hill. I try to remember to shift ino an easier gear as I get to the bottom of the hill in the morning in preparation for my trip home, but invariably I forget - and when I set off in the evening, I have to push off with all my might in the hard gear to get moving as I start up the hill, and then when I try to shift there's so much pressure on the chain that it sounds like the gears will rip apart as they change. So most of the time I just walk the bike up the hill til I get to the flat and set off there (which is embarassing, because I CAN handle the hill in a proper gear, and I don't want people to think differently!)


Other than remembering to gear down before I stop in the morning, is there anything I can do better/differently? I moved to Leeds from somewhere pretty much completely flat, so this isn't a problem I've ever had before.

 

[ianrauk]

Before you set off change gear and spin the pedals whilst holding the back wheel up.

 

[gaz]

Before you set off change gear and spin the pedals whilst holding the back wheel up.

quoted for truth.

 

[snorri]

Other than remembering to gear down before I stop in the morning, is there anything I can do better/differently?

Consider fitting a Rohloff hub, a suitable gear can be selected when the bicycle is stationary, before you set off.

 

[CatherineB]

That's incredibly clever, which is why I never thought of it. I'll give it a go this evening and report back!

 

[tyred]

Consider fitting a Rohloff hub, a suitable gear can be selected when the bicycle is stationary, before you set off.

Rather expensive solution to a simple problem, I would have thought.

 

[CatherineB]

Sorry, I was replying to the first two, about lifting the tyre and changing gears.
The second idea is clever too, I'll consider it if I find myself too clumsy to manage the first idea (which is entirely possible!)

 

[MacB]

Consider fitting a Rohloff hub, a suitable gear can be selected when the bicycle is stationary, before you set off.

Change gears and spin the cranks holding the back wheel up or spend £1100 on a hub gear solution.

Got to be the hub gear

 

[andy_wrx]

Alternative 3: Get a set of rollers at work, put bike on them, you can start off in your too-high gear on rollers, change down to required gear, get off rollers and ride up hill.

Alternative 4: ride off in other direction, change down, U-turn and ride up hill in required gear.

Alternative 5: join gym and do leg presses with huge weights, get thighs like Jamie Staff, then you can climb up that hill in a high gear


I think you're right - alternative 1 will do you fine !

 

[snorri]

Got to be the hub gear

There are other advantages, but the OP didn't ask for the full sales pitch.

 

[tyred]

There are other advantages, but the OP didn't ask for the full sales pitch.

DO you work for Rohloff by any chance?

 

[snorri]

DO you work for Rohloff by any chance?

No, just a satisfied customer.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Or just print out the words "SHIFT DOWN" and cut it out and tape it to your stem/handlebars.

 

[Garz]

< In before jimbo explains what gear is required for the mass equation >

 

[shouldbeinbed]

you could always buy a singlespeed

but I'd go with this one until you remember to shift at the end of the previous ride.

Before you set off change gear and spin the pedals whilst holding the back wheel up.