Riding up steps.

[Digging dog]

Chinese gardens Rivington.
Ridden this area on the MTB but only down the steps, thought it was time to try doing it from the bottom up.

I managed the first set "JUST" it wasn't pretty but did it several times just to be sure.

Decided to try this set of steps, failed miserably. Best attempt, I made the first section, gave up at that, in case I damaged the bike.
One problem I noticed was that the wheelbase of the bike is a perfect match for the step spacing so both wheels hit at the same time.

Nukeproof Megawatt, tyre pressure set to 25 psi front & 28 psi rear with a tubeless set up. Use a mid to low gears, Trail mode seemed more suitable for the gradient, Boost felt very aggressive & difficult to control.

Has anybody ridden this area?
Anybody got any suggestions or advice that might help me ?

 

[Jackware]

Sounds like a challenge for @Tonybro

 

[B1rdie]

I would much rather climb those wide side walls

 

[steve_sordy]

I would much rather climb those wide side walls

I definitely would not!
Unless I could see what was at the side.

 

[Digging dog]

I definitely would not!
Unless I could see what was at the side.

 

[Digging dog]

I'm happy riding along a kerb edge or canal side but I bet you can feel the drop pulling you if you tried.

 

[B1rdie]

I definitely would not!
Unless I could see what was at the side.

Now I can only wonder how to loop that arch...

 

[Digging dog]

Definitely not. It's a nice fast downhill.

 

[Nicho]

Anybody got any suggestions or advice that might help me ?

 

[rod9301]

Go slowly, balance when you feel that you stalled and pedal. You need to be in a mode that's torque sensing.

You will have enough power to go over the stairs.

Or pick up speed before the stairs let momentum be your friend, and keep pedaling.

You will stall eventually, but if you balance and keep pedaling, even when it feels hard, you will make it.

Key is not to panic and stop pedaling.

 

[rod9301]

And flat pedals are essential

 

[eMullet]

Why flats? How does clipless hinder your performance on stair climb? Here is a clip where I climb a set of stairs. These might not be as steep as yours, hard to say from the picture and video.

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Just keep your balance and keep the pedals moving. I ran those stairs @ Eco. Also running clipped in. Keep steady cadence and power so that you don't lose traction.

 

[Digging dog]

View attachment 89266

Perfect.

 

[Digging dog]

Thank for the info.
I did get as far as the first level section, than as you mentioned I ran out of momentum.
It's definitely a return visit planned for next week, maybe tweek the motor settings a little just until I get the confidence.
As I mentioned the step spacing is exactly the same as the bikes wheelbase so maybe a slightly faster approach might help to overcome this problem. Or maybe it will nip the tyre

 

[Tonybro]

Sounds like a challenge for @Tonybro

Down? Yes, Up? I'm not that daft!

 

[Digging dog]

It's there, it's a challenge, it's got to be completed. Without damage or personal injury.

 

[B1rdie]

To use the “entry speed” thechnic you’ll definitly need to use clipless pedals and ..
…
Have wings 🫣

 

[Digging dog]

I'm sure I can fall off just fine without trying my feet together.

 

[Gary]

Riding the wall to the side of the stairs looks way more fun.

 

[rod9301]

Why flats? How does clipless hinder your performance on stair climb? Here is a clip where I climb a set of stairs. These might not be as steep as yours, hard to say from the picture and video.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Just keep your balance and keep the pedals moving. I ran those stairs @ Eco. Also running clipped in. Keep steady cadence and power so that you don't lose traction.

I think psychologically is easier to keep going after you stall, instead of just putting a foot down.

 

[Digging dog]

I went out this morning & took a detour to a set of steps that I can ride up. Had a mess about / practice. The set of steps at Rivington are going to be ticked off the list.

 

[Canmore TLCC 29]

Why flats? How does clipless hinder your performance on stair climb? Here is a clip where I climb a set of stairs. These might not be as steep as yours, hard to say from the picture and video.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Just keep your balance and keep the pedals moving. I ran those stairs @ Eco. Also running clipped in. Keep steady cadence and power so that you don't lose traction.

I am surprised anyone uses clipless on MTB’s anymore. Five Tens opened a new world of cycling for me. I still ride clipless on my road bikes, but not any other bikes.

 

[Digging dog]

Finally conquered the steps. Still room for improvement but managed four runs up & down without any incidents.

Seems like it was just finding that sweet spot so I didn't loop out or get wheel spin.

 

[eMullet]

I am surprised anyone uses clipless on MTB’s anymore. Five Tens opened a new world of cycling for me. I still ride clipless on my road bikes, but not any other bikes.

Why are you surprised? While this is not an argument on why someone should ride clipped in, have you noticed that most of DH/Enduro/XCO riders use clipless?

For me clipless is the way. One of the most important thing for me is that when I'm clipped in, my foot always on the right position and orientation on the pedals. Also lifting the back end of my bike gets easier when climbing up high table ledges. Also, I don't get bloody shins because the pedals won't slip, despite running a clipless pedal with platform+pins (Crankbrothers Mallet-E).

I'm not saying that either pedal selection is better than other, rather saying that there are benefits and disadvantages to both. And it comes down to personal preference.

 

[Digging dog]

Exactly. I agree 100% with the benefits of clipless, but at the moment I think flats + Five Ten shoes have the benefit of an easy exit off the bike.

 

[Canmore TLCC 29]

Why are you surprised? While this is not an argument on why someone should ride clipped in, have you noticed that most of DH/Enduro/XCO riders use clipless?

For me clipless is the way. One of the most important thing for me is that when I'm clipped in, my foot always on the right position and orientation on the pedals. Also lifting the back end of my bike gets easier when climbing up high table ledges. Also, I don't get bloody shins because the pedals won't slip, despite running a clipless pedal with platform+pins (Crankbrothers Mallet-E).

I'm not saying that either pedal selection is better than other, rather saying that there are benefits and disadvantages to both. And it comes down to personal preference.

Yeah, good points. I was being egocentric for sure. I agree clipless have advantages.