8 standout bikes from the UK Hill Climb Championships

Throughout the British hill climb season, riders go to extreme measures to make their bikes as light as possible. Many of these were on show at the recent National Hill Climb Championships in the Lake District, where the crème de la crème of mountain goats gathered for this annual feast of cycling suffering.

Joining them on this traditionally British pastime were an influx of some of the lightest bikes we’ve encountered all year, most of them modified to shed as many precious grams as possible.

Here’s a selection of the most eye-catching bikes we encountered at the event, where riders took on the fearsome Struggle climb.

• Read more: Disc brake takeover and weird tech: National Hill Climb Championship gallery

Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71 – disc brakes takeover

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Andrew Feather won atop a disc brake bike

Where else could we start other than with Andrew Feather’s lightweight steed? A friend of GCN, we’ve put Feather through plenty of gruelling climbing challenges in the past; he’s taken on the toughest climb in the world, attempted the Alpe d’Huez KoM and even tried his hand at an Everesting challenge.

It was no surprise, then, that Feather conquered the Struggle to win the National Hill Climb Championships for the fourth time. The only surprising thing was that he became the first rider to win the event using a disc brake bike.

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Disc brakes used to be a rare sight at hill climb events

It’s a victory that has caused a stir in the world of cycling. While disc brakes have taken over most of the sport, rim brakes have retained a stronghold in the niche hill climbing discipline. That’s understandable as they’re usually the lighter option.

Except now, most bike manufacturers are starting to cut rim brake models from their line-ups, leaving riders with no option but to go for disc brake bikes. This may not be as bad as it sounds, though, as even with a disc brake set-up, Feather’s Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71 only weighed 5.74kg – that’s seriously lightweight.

• Read more: Pro bike: Hugh Carthy's Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71

Sawn-off dropped bars and lightweight everything

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Many riders saw off the drops to save weight

Rim brake aficionados can take a sigh of relief here, as the disc brake takeover isn’t complete just yet. There were still plenty of rim brake bikes on show, including this completely custom bike which had carbon everything, including the unbranded frame.

A quick glance at the bike reveals lots of intriguing features, including the seriously small 1x chainset. Taking things to the extremes, by our count, the Rotor chainring only has 26 teeth.

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This Rotor chainset is small even by mountain bike standards

The chainring is a part of a SRAM Red groupset, but not a modern one. Any keen eyes will have noticed the cables as this is a much older version. It may be old, but it’s also significantly lighter than the modern offering.

From the wheels to the shifters every component was carefully chosen, but sometimes that isn’t enough. That’s why the owner of this bike also cut the drop bars off. Anyone unfamiliar with hill climbing will be horrified, but it’s a common sight at these events.

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Black Inc – string for spokes?

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This Cannondale had some very unique features, including string for spokes

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Black Inc is a seriously impressive bike, but it’s not what steals the headlines here. Your eyes aren’t mistaking you, the custom wheels from ZED have string for spokes.

You’ll be relieved to hear that they are tensioned, although we’re not sure that it would give us much confidence. Together with the feather-weight rims, they combine to create a seriously lightweight package.

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The spokes were tensioned

Sticking to already familiar themes, the rest of the bike was an assortment of the best lightweight carbon technology available, including a Schmolke saddle, Mcfk handlebar and stem, plus the Cane Creek eeBrakes.

Unlike other rim brakes we saw, these used a multi-link set-up that provides much more power compared to the more popular single pivot. That braking power doesn’t come with significant added weight, with the pair tipping the scales at under 170g.

Ed Laverack's Factor O2 VAM

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Ed Laverack's Factor O2 VAM

Back to disc brakes, and we have here the bike of the men's runner-up, Ed Laverack, which means the top two spots in the men's event went to discs.

Despite that, and despite the lack of truly extreme hill climb measures, this is a lightweight set-up, with 1x Dura-Ace crankset and a Selle Italia SLR Boost Tekno saddle that weighs less than 100g.

The carbon rims from Black Inc come with carbon spokes and, as an added benefit for the rough surface of the Struggle, the rim profile must be pretty wide as the 25mm Continental GP5000 TT tyres actually measure up as 28s.

Swift Carbon Ultravox – custom colourway

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This Swift Ultravox had one of the most unique colourways

It’s time to take a slight detour from nerdy lightweight tech in the form of this custom-painted Swift Carbon Ultravox. Many hill climbers strip their bikes of paint to drop the gram count.

Not on this bike, though, which has a unique colourway inspired by the rider’s life. There are lots of unique details, like the Starship Enterprise, suggesting they’re a Trekkie. These are accompanied by slogans, which presumably help to keep the rider motivated, like the old classic ‘pain is temporary’.

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The Starship Enterprise

Looking beyond the paintwork, there are some lightweight features of note and rim brake aficionados will be pleased to see that there are no disc brakes in sight.

As was popular, the bike had a 1x set-up, which was a mash up of a Rotor crankset, Shimano Ultegra shifters, Dura-Ace rim brakes and a GRX rear mech. Using a GRX rear derailleur makes it possible to run a 32-32 bottom gear, which was definitely needed on the vicious slopes of the Struggle.

• Read more: Ollie Bridgewood’s Orbea Orca: All-in for lightweight

Cannondale CAAD12 – hill climbing on a budget

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The CAAD12 has been one of Cannondale's most popular bikes since being launched over a decade ago

In amongst the horde of carbon bikes, we stumbled across this aluminium Cannondale CAAD12. Admittedly, going aluminium isn’t going to keep the weight down as low as a carbon bike, but does that matter?

While hill climbing is a competitive endeavour for some, others simply enjoy taking part. And this bike proves that you don’t have to spend lots of money on a hill climb bike, as the owner bought it second hand for only £600 – a bargain!

It’s still relatively lightweight, too, tipping the scales at 7.88kg.

• Read more: Is this the world's lightest functional gravel bike?

Planet X Mondo – handmade in Italy

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The frame for this Planet X Mondo was made in Italy

On first appearance, this looks like a standard Planet X Mondo, but this one is a little different. Handmade in Italy, it’s one of the limited-edition versions of the bike that the brand created alongside Italian company Sarto.

Beyond the frame, the tubular tyres caught our attention thanks to their 28mm width – huge by hill climbing standards. The owner usually runs 23mm but decided to bump them up to the larger size as the surface on the Struggle was slippery. Helping to combat this, the wider tyres could be run at lower pressure for better grip.

Time Alpe d’Huez – an everyday bike

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You don't need a dedicated bike to enjoy hill climbing

We’ll end with another bike that is by no means noteworthy in the world of hill climbing. This Time Alpe d’Huez is essentially an everyday bike with no notable modifications. The owner happened to be on holiday in the area and decided to enter the event for fun, although we’re not sure much fun can be had on a hill climb.

It’s practical in every single way, with disc brakes, a 2x SRAM Force groupset, and the owner didn’t even bother removing the bar tape.

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The bike was set up for everyday use

It’s another timely reminder that you don’t need to go all-in on lightweight to take part in hill climbing.

Which was your favourite bike from this list? Let us know in the comments.

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