Lake District gearing

[Sharpy]

Hi all,
The summer holidays are around the corner and I am fortunate enough to be heading to the lake district.
After a lot of humming and "arring" over which bike to take with me, eventually I decided to take the road bike.
I understand the lake district is extremely hilly and as I am currently living and cycling in easy old Suffolk I'm currently running a compact chainset upfront and a 11-25 cassette at the back. Now, I'm a reasonably fit cyclist but I'm wondering if it's worth getting a some lower range gearing? I'm currently running full ultegra but I'm only there for a week so I'm not looking to break the bank..
So has anyone who has rode in ot lives in the lake district got any advice on what gearing to go for..
Thank you for any help.. Sharpy

 

[jazzkat]

You'll be ok if you are a fit cyclist. It will depend on where you plan to ride of course and in my experience it doesn't matter what gearing you've got when the road goes up there's never enough low gears on your bike
Having said that you tend to just dig in and get on with it, even if you were planning to go up some of the big 'named' climbs there's a bit of a balance that if you go too low gear wise you just end up lifting the front wheel rather than going forward.
There are also lots of routes that, while still a bit hilly, aren't going to give you any trouble on a compact.
Have you any routes in mind?

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've ridden in the Lakes with the same gearing you have now, and FWIW I'm not a hill lover but I found it OK, hard work at time but OK.

However, it was only one day, so as it sounds like you'll be there longer it might be worth revising things a bit.

For what cassettes cost it might be worth getting a 28 on the back, or if your rear mech will take it even a 32 for your own peace of mind.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

You can get Shimano Ultegra 6700 10sp 12-30 or 11-28 for £34 or an 11sp 11-28 or 32 for £45 if the 105 10sp fit 11-28 for £24 or 10sp Tiagra for £15 either 12-28 or 12-30. So plenty of easy options as @smokeysmoo says if the R.D. will go that high. Just watch the length of the chain, it might be best to invest in a chain just for this rear combination, then when you change back keep these together in case you ever need them again.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Where in the LD will you be 'based'?

 

[boydj]

Some climbs in the Lake District can be pretty brutal e.g. Ambleside to the Kirkstone Inn on this run : http://www.strava.com/activities/128868807. I'll admit to stopping for a breather for a few minutes at mile 8 before remounting, and walking the last 400m or so to the top at the Inn where the gradient is over 20%.

I'm using a 30t granny ring on a triple chainset with a 27t at the back and it's far from flat where I live. That is an exceptional climb, though, and there are plenty of routes where the climbs are more manageable. I would suggest getting a cassette with a wider range as you will spend more time climbing because there are not many flat roads in the area.

 

[mcshroom]

There's not a lot of flat anywhere in the Lakes (Solway plain, however - flat as a pancake)

34x25 sounds a bit tough to me, but then again I tend to ride a tourer with a 22x32 bottom gear half the time.

There are some seriously steep roads in the area. The struggle up to the Kirkstone in is 20%, Newlands , Honister and Wrynose passes are 25%, with Hardknott at 30%.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Some climbs in the Lake District can be pretty brutal e.g. Ambleside to the Kirkstone Inn on this run : http://www.strava.com/activities/128868807. I'll admit to stopping for a breather for a few minutes at mile 8 before remounting, and walking the last 400m or so to the top at the Inn where the gradient is over 20%.

I'm using a 30t granny ring on a triple chainset with a 27t at the back and it's far from flat where I live. That is an exceptional climb, though, and there are plenty of routes where the climbs are more manageable. I would suggest getting a cassette with a wider range as you will spend more time climbing because there are not many flat roads in the area.

Hardly a granny ring then when a 34x30 is only 0.6" longer, I think I would walk that bit if I stopped tried getting going once on something like and end up on the tarmac.

I ride a triple with a 30x25 as my lowest or a 34x28 (near as dam it), though generally I am on the 42th middle as this with the 13-25 gives a good range, only needing to change on climbs and descents, I am toying with the idea of dropping this to either 41 or 40 for better cadence and put more of my riding in the 13-17 range which are in one tooth steps, the rest being 2th, this is why I like triples over a compact double.

 

[jazzkat]

Some climbs in the Lake District can be pretty brutal e.g. Ambleside to the Kirkstone Inn on this run : http://www.strava.com/activities/128868807. I'll admit to stopping for a breather for a few minutes at mile 8 before remounting, and walking the last 400m or so to the top at the Inn where the gradient is over 20%.

I'm using a 30t granny ring on a triple chainset with a 27t at the back and it's far from flat where I live. That is an exceptional climb, though, and there are plenty of routes where the climbs are more manageable. I would suggest getting a cassette with a wider range as you will spend more time climbing because there are not many flat roads in the area.

That is possibly one of the toughest climbs around here. It never seems to let up until you get close to the end. You get a brief breather and then it kicks up again!
I personally find it harder than any of the other 'big' climbs around here.

I think sometimes it's the fact that you've been out all day, tired legs, that last little ramp up and there's nothing left in the legs. No amount of gearing will fix that.
If the OP gave us some idea of where he was planning to ride it might help us local riders to give some more accurate suggestions?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Why do people ask vague-ish questions as an OP and then take no further part in the thread?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Why do people ask vague-ish questions as an OP and then take no further part in the thread?

Maybe they get lost ........

 

[Sharpy]

Thank you everyone for your help! I've put a little more research in and my rear mech will take up to 32. I do have a couple of plans for weekends in Wales and Scotland so the idea of getting the cassette and chain @Nigelnaturist I think will be cost effective in the long run.

 

[Sharpy]

Where in the LD will you be 'based'?

I think it's near Broughton...

 

[jazzkat]

I think it's near Broughton...

Well, unless you are planning to drive somewhere first there's perhaps only Hardknott/Wrynose and maybe Kirkstone on your radar as far as the big names are concerned. There's some great riding to be had over that way and a bit quieter than the honey pot lakes 'bit'. Having said that after Suffolk I'm sure it'll still seem very quiet!
There's lots of advice on the web for gearing for people who have been doing the fred whitton-
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=f....12533j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8
Ok, you won't be taking on Hardknott after 100miles but it'll give you some ideas.