Hill training on a turbo

outfox

When hill training on a turbo, is it advisable to raise up the front wheel with books (or whatever), or does it make any difference. If the resistance is set high enough, and the gearing is high enough to require a cadence of say 60 RPM, will rising the front wheel make any difference? Does it work different muscles in the core? I can find little or nothing online about this.

Lumen

There are factors in hill climbing aside from cadence and slightly more upright position.

One is an effective change in saddle angle. The limit case of climbing a steep wall would involve hanging off the handlebars and pedals.

The other is "crank resistive torque" or something. It's the push back from the pedals which varies with ground speed. When you're going very fast (i.e. tailwind on the flat) it takes more force to accelerate the bike, so the pedalling platform feels more stable and supported. At low speed pushing down on the pedals has a more immediate effect and it feels like pedalling squares.

Neither of these are very well studied. I have read a few things about the latter but nothing definitive. In any case a turbo's resistance effect is very different from being on the road, but I don't think anyone is arguing that a turbo provides bad training as a result.

outfox

Lumen wrote: »

Neither of these are very well studied. I have read a few things about the latter but nothing definitive.

When can I expect your report?
More seriously, your reply suggests that, at the very least, rising the front wheel will simulate saddle angle on a climb. So, if nothing else, that's probably reason enough for me to try this. Thanks Lumen.