Just wondering...... What gearing do you have?

[HLaB]

My Bianchi has a 36/50 compact with 12-25 on the back (Ive found I often spin out with this gearing).
My Sirrus has a 30/42/52 triple with 12-26 ( I spend the majority of time in the 42/52 and made it up hills up to 21% with the 42, 26 combo).
So Ive decided to spec my new bike with a 39/53 and 12-25 on the back. If I don't get on with that I'll fit a larger cassette.
My Workhorse (the commuter) is pretty low geared I think its a 28/38/48 triple with a 11-32 cassette and I spend most of the time on that in the large chainring.

 

[Randochap]

Lightweight rando bikes: Campag 30-40-50 X 13-29
Trad randonneuse: Shimano 24-36-48 X 12-30
MTB: 24-36-46 X 12-28

 

[hambones]

53/42 x 12-25 on my Scott CR1 Pro commuter

 

[jimboalee]

46/18 SS (27" wheel)
48/38/28 14-28 MTB
46/18 SA 3 speed (20" wheel)
46/20 SS (26 x 1 3/8")

I have now fitted an eighteen sprocket on my BSA 20" since my Mom died.

Suits my legs better.

 

[Panter]

52,42,30 with an 11-25 cassette.

 

[De Sisti]

Bike 1: xacd titanium audax 48/36/26...........13-28
Bike 2: xacd titanium sportive 50/34/26...........13-28
Bike 3: Paul Hewitt Cheviot 46/34/24...........11-32

 

[gavintc]

Good bike - the sportive one: 34/50 and 11-25
Winter Bike / commuter: 39/53 and 11-25.

 

[MacB]

Bike 1 - SRAM-I9 hub gear - 48/21 - gives 9 gears from 33.7 to 114.5 inches
Bike 2 - triple derailer 9 speed - 30/42/52 - 12-26 - gives gears from 31 to 116 inches
Bike 3 - SA SRF3 speed hub - 44/18 - gives 3 gears approx 50/66/89 inches

 

[Cranky]

Main bike:

48/36/26.......11-32

(It's a tourer. I've never used the 26...32 yet but I'm sure the day will come).

 

[MacB]

Main bike:

48/36/26.......11-32

(It's a tourer. I've never used the 26...32 yet but I'm sure the day will come).

ah, but surely the luxury of knowing you've got a 22 inch gear in reserve is far more comforting than having a 130 inch monster at the other end would be?

 

[RedBike]

I ran out of gears using the MTB (22/32) last weekend on a road climb!!
It's the first time in years i've failed to get up a hill due to fitness / leg power.

[excuse mode]I was pulling a heavy trailer and I had done a good mileage already that day [/excuse mode]

I have a compact chainset on my road bike but I only have a 23 tooth cassette. I've never failed to get up anything yet with 36/23.

I suppose 'suitable gearing' all depends on the bike in question. For example I would would substantially lower gears on a loaded tourer than I would on my time triial bike.

 

[Fab Foodie]

52,42,30 with an 11-25 cassette.

+1

 

[Cranky]

ah, but surely the luxury of knowing you've got a 22 inch gear in reserve is far more comforting than having a 130 inch monster at the other end would be?

Quite true. I haven't done any loaded touring in the Pennines or Wales on this bike yet, so the 22" will get used eventually, I'm sure. The top gear is actually a higher ratio than my previous 52...26 hybrid's, and only used occasionally.

 

[jimboalee]

The problem is, Rider Rich, there are not many bicycle engineers who can specify you a gear set without getting you on an ergonometer and weighing scales.

There is a 'quicky' formula, which I have been told is "Crap" many times by others here, but remains ( to my knowledge ) the only method that has been seen here.

Choosing gearing for hills is ( Randochap will no doubt agree ) the foremost subject of disscussion amongst cyclists.

The 'quicky' method calculates a gear which should get a novice cyclist up a 10%. When the novice progresses to an 'average' cyclist, he will not use that gear again on a 10% and it will get used on a 12% and so on.

If you study the gearing of the bikes on the tour right now, you will see thay have the '10%' gear. It will probably never be used, but is fitted JIC.

As a starter, use the 'quicky' method to find a gear length for a 10%. If your existing gearset has lower, all well and good. If it hasn't, fit a smaller inner ring or larger sprocket cassette.

As you gain experience riding your bike, your body and physique will adapt to the new demands. It will get easier ( loss of weight ) and feel easier ( increased muscularity ).

I would suggest you not go spending any more money on the bike, but continuously re-try those hills.

There will be a limit to the gradient your bike will climb. 34 x 26 is the same as 30 x 23, and that just about gets me up a 14% at 4 mph.

Any steeper than 14% and I'm thinking about getting off, or wishing I'd fitted the 25 sprocket.

When the riding speed gets below walking speed do I finally jump off and push. On 20% hills.

 

[Steve Austin]

The problem is, Rider Rich, there are not many bicycle engineers who can specify you a gear set without getting you on an ergonometer and weighing scales.

There is a 'quicky' formula, which I have been told is "Crap" many times by others here, but remains ( to my knowledge ) the only method that has been seen here.

Choosing gearing for hills is ( Randochap will no doubt agree ) the foremost subject of disscussion amongst cyclists.

The 'quicky' method calculates a gear which should get a novice cyclist up a 10%. When the novice progresses to an 'average' cyclist, he will not use that gear again on a 10% and it will get used on a 12% and so on.

If you study the gearing of the bikes on the tour right now, you will see thay have the '10%' gear. It will probably never be used, but is fitted JIC.

As a starter, use the 'quicky' method to find a gear length for a 10%. If your existing gearset has lower, all well and good. If it hasn't, fit a smaller inner ring or larger sprocket cassette.

As you gain experience riding your bike, your body and physique will adapt to the new demands. It will get easier ( loss of weight ) and feel easier ( increased muscularity ).

I would suggest you not go spending any more money on the bike, but continuously re-try those hills.

There will be a limit to the gradient your bike will climb. 34 x 26 is the same as 30 x 23, and that just about gets me up a 14% at 4 mph.

Any steeper than 14% and I'm thinking about getting off, or wishing I'd fitted the 25 sprocket.

When the riding speed gets below walking speed do I finally jump off and push. On 20% hills.

Not this again