Climbing Steep Slopes by Bicycle: Archived Guidance

This editorial is based on an archived article originally published on bike-lessaisies.com on September 16, 2021. It is presented for historical reference only. No current availability, ownership, pricing, scheduling, contact information, endorsement, or continuity is implied.

Context of the Archived Source

The original page, titled “Comment Gravir une pente escarpée à vélo,” appeared in the Sport section of bike-lessaisies.com. The text mixed practical cycling advice with loosely related topics, including electric bicycle selections and driving a car uphill. This editorial isolates the cycling-specific guidance and frames it as historical information.

Gearing and Cadence

The archived article discussed gear selection for steep climbs. It suggested that strong riders might prefer a cadence of 60 to 80 revolutions per minute, while climbing cadence could be lower, described as small, quick, and descending. It also mentioned that a cadence of 120 might suit an average person. These figures are reported as they appeared in the source and are not presented as current recommendations.

Regarding specific gear combinations, the source offered examples such as 39×24 for seated climbing with spinning legs, and noted that larger gears increase distance per pedal stroke. It referenced cassettes like 11/28 and 11/30 for mountain roads, and 11/32 or 11/34 for high mountain use by most riders. A 32-32 setup was mentioned as allowing many cyclists to pass major cols. The article also cautioned against certain Campagnolo cassette combinations with 50-34 chainrings.

Technique and Equipment Notes

The source advised maintaining a circular pedal motion and avoiding stopping the gears during shifts. It mentioned that gear controls often indicate step height, though this point was not elaborated. It also touched on bicycle weight, citing a B’twin Riverside 120 at approximately 13.5 kg and noting that steel VTCs typically weigh around 15 kg. A total approved weight of 115 kg was mentioned for one brand’s bicycles.

These details are preserved as historical examples. They should not be read as endorsements of specific products, brands, or configurations.

Scope and Limitations

The archived article was not a focused technical manual. It included unrelated sections on electric bicycle rankings, car handling on slopes, and average urban cycling speeds. This editorial does not repeat those sections in detail because they fall outside the stated topic. Readers should treat all figures and gear references as dated and context-dependent.

Historical Framing

This summary is intended to document what an archived page once said about climbing steep slopes by bicycle. It does not assert that the advice remains valid, that any products are available, or that the original site continues to operate. The information is presented solely as a historical record.