Q&A

A bike fit for the climb

Details

Parent Category: Q&A

Category: Q&A Bicycles

Published on Friday, 27 August 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Dear Editor,

I follow with great interest your magazine. Congratulations on the skill and passion that you put and especially for disinterested advice. I'm 38 years old and devote myself to cycling a few months (but I immediately fell in love): I own a Bianchi Cameleonte IV weighing about 11 kg (Shimano Sora Triple 52/40/30, 12/25 package, wheels Joytech 700/28) I can face any way but perhaps a bit heavy uphill.

 At the moment I can use the bicycle a few times a week and over a distance of up to 50 km but are clearly improving and I get to travel much greater distances. I am living in Liguria to travel often long stretches of fairly steep climb too (but that effort!!!). In addition to train to improve myself, I am considering the possibility of buying a racing bike lighter (budget between 3000 and 5000 euro) in the hope that this will help me make the leap and committed itself on long climbs. I would think for guidance at a high enough level bike (Bianchi Infinito/Pinarello FP7/Kuota KOM or Kult ....). Assembling components of a good standard (Campagnolo Chorus/SRAM Force or similar) and good wheels (Fulcrum Zero/Reynolds Assault …...) and holding under 8 kg. Unfortunately there are quite a connoisseur and being my first bike race could dramatically wrong choice. àI do not care maximum speed or racing performance (I have no intentions to participate in competitions). Can you give me some guidance/parameter to help me choose a bike and its components which (together with the coach ...) let me perform with greater ease the long, steep climbs Ligurian? They're good ones I mentioned or are too large for an amateur? Above all, the same rider (me), I think that would help (thanks to less weight and more components sliding) significant or negligible with respect to my current bike?

Thank you.

Signed letter

Dear reader, thanks for the compliments. You already have a fairly basic bike, no light, but a good level. Uphill the weight is felt, but much also depends on its physical condition, to give his muscles time to grow and that will be able to address the climbs better. Meanwhile, on his current bike, can we add 28 to a sprocket, removing the 12, then replace the other tires in size 700/23. This should be able to ride more nimble uphill to avoid working for a long time in the area to lactic acid. Certainly be reduced by more than 3 kg weight cycling will enable much greater performance, even with the same training, and no doubt well aware. For the use that wants to do, among the possible choices you select, the council undoubtedly Bianchi Infinito, which among other things will not change too technical for 2011, assembled with Campagnolo Chorus with compact crankset 34/50 and sprocket 11V 12-29. For wheels, I suggest the Fulcrum Racing Zero Tubular, if you want a very light aluminum wheels or, budget permitting, the Fulcrum Racing Light XLR, low-profile carbon tubular always. The tubolars are preferable Vittoria Corsa Evo CX, possibly with the adoption of Vittoria Pit Stop, which is a solution against punctures. The tube to ensure smoother, safer driving in curves and comfort than a clincher. A bike that is well below the eight kilograms, light and smooth, but safe speed and on rough, with a high driving comfort over long distances. The selected reports will allow it to always have the right gear, or down, which mostly uphill.