Gear sets

[Brian Stacks]

Am wanting advice on upgrading my shimano gear set. At present am finding g it difficult to climb hills so would like advice on helping to climb just a little easier?

 

[Racing roadkill]

If you want an easier climb, the smaller the front chain ring, and more teeth on the largest rear sprocket the better. Assuming you have a 10 speed rear cassette, I'd say look for an 11-28t cassette. Any more than 28 teeth on the largest sprocket, and you may need to make sure the length of the rear cage is sufficient, and your chain may need to be longer.

 

[Joffey]

It would depend what group set (gear set) you are running at the moment.

I had the same problem as you so looked at a few options. Do you have a standard (52/39) or compact (50/34) chainset? (The big rings at the front). You will also need to look to see what cassette you have at the back and if your derailleur is a short cage or long cage one.

If you bought your bike new you should be able to find this information on line. Once you have this you can look to change certain parts to make your climbing easier.

 

[martint235]

Practice. Go out and climb hills a lot. It'll get easier.

 

[Sharky]

Hills will never be easy. There are many factors to consider. The gearing as the posts above are suggesting and also to consider the weight of the bike, accessories and yourself. Reducing any of these will help.
Next is technique, position on the bike and how you tackle each hill. Sitting down vs standing on the pedals. All can make a difference and all need practice to see which is best for each hill.

I know of a couple of riders who have fitted an electric assist front wheel. This certainly makes the hills easier.

Good luck

 

[Elybazza61]

Practice. Go out and climb hills a lot. It'll get easier.

This^

 

[Brian Stacks]

I would not like to go down the lines of electric assisted wheels at this time. I just feel that I'm running out of gears on some hills.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I would not like to go down the lines of electric assisted wheels at this time. I just feel that I'm running out of gears on some hills.

There's nothing unusual with that. If you get your cassette and rear mech sorted, you'll find the hills will be easier, then you can practice getting up them more quickly

 

[Brian Stacks]

I currently have a 52-36 if that helps in the shimano 105 crank set 11 speed

 

[ColinJ]

I currently have a 52-36 if that helps in the shimano 105 crank set 11 speed

But what cassette? (Count the teeth on the sprockets if you can't read the numbers stamped on them.)