So I have a new e-bike: PIM. I also am 78 and having to learn e-biking. I live at the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA and am surrounded by up and down. My local road is gravel and descends from my house on a 1/2 mile steep decline. Easy going down in -2 but coming up I had trouble. Part is lack of knowledge and part is geography. I have 6-7% paved climb near the bottom followed by a 120 degree uphill turn onto the gravel where the first 1/4 mile is steep. Should I have downshifted to the lowest gearing at the end of the pavement and gone into top power mode 3 before I hit the gravel. It seems loss of momentum is a killer so I certainly did that first time. I got part way up in 3rd, heard the loud motor noise and had to stop and of course was unable to get going again. Called my wife and truck at that point. Any basic comments would be appreciated.
Gravel and Steep Hills
- Thread starter slowguy
- Start date
rich c
Well-Known Member
Riding an eBike is not any different than a regular bike, you just get some assist. Really, it's no different than any machine. How would you shift a loaded truck on the same hill? Would you downshift a truck going up a steep hill? Downshift and brake early going down a steep hill? Maybe an early VW Beetle would work better. At 36hp, you had to actually learn to drive. Not just turn the key and it did everything else like today.
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D
Deleted member 18083
Guest
Slow ...
You have described my homecoming almost exactly - just reorder a few details and subtract four years.
When I face my steep but not-too-long hill, I am principally concerned with not losing momentum occasioned by either changing down through the gears whilst climbing or being in such a low gear to start with that I have to wait for the bike to slow before being able to pedal effectively, so risking losing my balance.
On my ebike I need to keep pressure on the pedals to gain maximum assist from the motor (it could be different on your bike) - whirring the pedals around whilst in lowest gear will not necessarily get me up my >10% welcome-home horror of a hill more easily.
As I approach my short but steep hill, I change to third gear (out of eleven). After ten or so seconds freewheeling uphill, speed drops sufficiently to allow the pedals to be spun fast but not crazily (>80 rpm). Had I been in the lowest gear, speed would have had to drop further (not good).
Suggestions: Assist mode set to maximum; change down early; choose a gear that suits not only the gradient and your strength but also your motor’s characteristics / eccentricities.
... David
You have described my homecoming almost exactly - just reorder a few details and subtract four years.
When I face my steep but not-too-long hill, I am principally concerned with not losing momentum occasioned by either changing down through the gears whilst climbing or being in such a low gear to start with that I have to wait for the bike to slow before being able to pedal effectively, so risking losing my balance.
On my ebike I need to keep pressure on the pedals to gain maximum assist from the motor (it could be different on your bike) - whirring the pedals around whilst in lowest gear will not necessarily get me up my >10% welcome-home horror of a hill more easily.
As I approach my short but steep hill, I change to third gear (out of eleven). After ten or so seconds freewheeling uphill, speed drops sufficiently to allow the pedals to be spun fast but not crazily (>80 rpm). Had I been in the lowest gear, speed would have had to drop further (not good).
Suggestions: Assist mode set to maximum; change down early; choose a gear that suits not only the gradient and your strength but also your motor’s characteristics / eccentricities.
... David
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slomoshun
Active Member
And so it goes with hub drives. If the road speed drops below 50% of their rated top speed, they heat up. If you don't keep spinning and keep up the speed they can bog. I'm riding a mere 250 watt mid-drive and it will climb any hill. When the bike is heavily loaded I can down-shift into granny gear [38 chainring/32 rear cog] on the steepest inclines and slog along as slow as 4 to 6 mph at a comfortable no-sweat cadence with no complaints from the motor. It's all about gearing.
Bruce Arnold
Well-Known Member
JRA
Well-Known Member
The Alvord Desert in south eastern Oregon is one of the most remote areas in the country. I was right up against a Wilderness Boundary for part of that particular ride. At the end of the video the flat, light colored spot in the center of the frame is the Playa and it is 35 miles around, I checked 
. The side I took the picture from is the start of the Steens Mtns.
Best part about going there is there are a number of hot springs to soak in and watch the stars go by. I even saw northern lights there are few falls ago.
This video better showcases the region:
. The side I took the picture from is the start of the Steens Mtns.Best part about going there is there are a number of hot springs to soak in and watch the stars go by. I even saw northern lights there are few falls ago.
This video better showcases the region:
Luna Cycle tested a Specialized Turbo Levo that also has 250w "nominal" motor - and discovered it was pushing 700w peak.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
Slowguy, I was thinking about your gravel hill and my experiences on gravel. They really vary depending on the consistency and depth of the gravel. A firm and even surface makes a huge difference in climbing a hill. I hope things are going well for you in your hillclimb back home!
Big Tom
Member
Slowguy, if your bike is a rear hub drive there are two types of motors. For your area with a lot of hills you want an internal geared motor, minimum of 500W I'm a 225 LB guy and have no troubles with steep hills. The internal gearing gives you more torque however it takes away top end.
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