New Bike - Gearing

[Andy500]

I'm in the process of specing up a new road bike and its been suggested by the LBS that I go for a mid compact chain ring of 52-36t with a cassette of 11-28t. My current road bike has a compact chain ring of 50-34t with a cassette of 12-25t. I've ridden my current bike over Hardknott (30% incline) and Wrynose Pass (25% incline) also Kirkstone pass and yesterday completed the Etape-Cymru which had 6000ft of climbing in the 100 miles.

I would like to be able to spin more on the really steep parts rather than grinding. My question is will the combination of mid compact 52-36t chain ring and cassette of 11-28t give me a lower 1st gear on the new bike rather than the 50-34t and 12-25t on my current bike?

All answers gratefully received.

Rgds

Andy500

 

[mad despot]

From http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

For 700 X 25 / 25-622 tire with 170 mm cranks
36/28 = 33.9 gear inches
34/25 = 35.9 gear inches

So the new bike will have a slightly lower 1st gear.

 

[Andy500]

From http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

For 700 X 25 / 25-622 tire with 170 mm cranks
36/28 = 33.9 gear inches
34/25 = 35.9 gear inches

So the new bike will have a slightly lower 1st gear.

Brilliant mad despot, thank you for your prompt answer. I will go with the LBS suggestion then.

 

[cyberknight]

Go for a bike with sram apex groupset , you will be able to spin up anything.

 

[Beebo]

why not use the 52-36 and the 11-28, that will give you an even easier gear.