Do mountain bikes help you ascend 200 feet in, say, 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile?

Question

So I find that I have to get off my bike in order to ascend 200 feet over 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile - an elevation difference that I would have to ascend every day if I biked - as my home is on top of a relatively isolated hill. Is this typical or am I abnormally weak? And if I'm unable to make such an ascension, would a mountain bike help me ascend that route?

Answer 1

I totally agree with silver.

Your estimate (200 in 1/8 to 1/4 mile) yields a grade of 30% or 15%. I don't think there's a standard road in the world with a 30% grade. Even a 15% grade is very steep, but quite doable for such a short distance.

While a MTB would have the very low gears needed, it would likely be heavier than a road bike. On an uphill weight is your enemy. Regardless of the gearing it will be work to get up the hill. A short distance at 15% grade isn't bad for a conditioned cyclist but a 30% grade would be hard work for anyone.

EDIT: OK 12% grade. While steep it's fairly short. Any bike with low gears will due. The grade is hard (or undoable) for anyone not in good condition. After you ride enough you will be able to do it. I wish I had some grades like that here in MI, they are hard to come by.

One trick you can try: zig-zag up the hill, it will reduce the effective grade.

Answer 2

That's pretty steep.   You'd certainly need to be in granny gear to make it.    I don't know that a mountain bike would be any better than any other bike, except that they typically have lower low gear ratios to deal with the more difficult climbs found offroad.

If you like your road bike there's no reason you couldn't change to a triple crank and wide ratio cassette.

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Edit: Easy is a relative term.   Lower gear ratios would certainly help.   I have no way of knowing your strength and fitness level.

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Edit2:  The decision should come down to riding surface.   Paved?  Road bike is lighter and a better choice.

Gravel or rough surface?  I'd prefer an MTB's big knobby tire.

Somewhere in between?  Cyclocross bike.