'An ode to AliExpress' - the hill climb bike optimised by 'unscientific testing'

4th place finisher at the 2024National Hill Climb, Andy Nichols shares some insights into his truly wild hill climb bike build

Andy Nicholl's black and red Orbea Hill Climb bike lent up against a small stone wall
(Image credit: Future (Andy Jones))

The British hill climb racing scene thrives on a passionate, grassroots culture that brings cyclists and fans together to celebrate the raw challenge of ascending steep, relentless gradients.

But while the racing itself can be quite the spectacle, the bikes on which riders tackle the double-digit gradients are also often rather eye-catching. With the events falling under the Cycling Time Trials (CTT) ruling rather than UCI ruling, bikes don't have to meet a minimum weight limit, nor do they have to have drop handlebars, and as a result, the UK hill climbing scene shows off some of the best garage-built bikes in the world.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Joe Baker
Tech Writer

Joe is Cycling Weekly's tech writer. He's always had a love for bikes, since first riding a two wheeled steed before the age of four. Years down the line, Joe began racing at 16, and enjoyed great experiences internationally, racing in Italy, Spain and Belgium to name a few locations. Always interested in tech, Joe even piloted his Frankenstein hill climb bike to a Junior National Title in 2018.  After taking a step back from elite level racing in April 2022, Joe joined our team as a freelancer, before becoming Tech Writer in May 2023.