Right I think I've bought the wrong bike so best place to sell/swap it.

[byegad]

'Anyone' can ride any bike, but if you are miserable riding it you will soon take up another sport. Go for as small an inner chainring that you can get onto the existing bike and if that, with your new cassette won't get you up hills think about an 11-34 MTB cassette with a long cage dérailleur, or even a triple up front. Even with all of those items changed you won't be any more out of pocket than trading in a newish bike for another.

 

[jowwy]

i agree about getting fit, but dont be daft, you might be able to get up any hill with a 39x 28 but thats not the case with everyone and in every situation.

for example after a ride from london i doubt i could then get up ditchling on that gearing, And Im sure Im not alone

i agree with the gearing response

not everyone is a racing snake - try riding a 39x28 up the iron moutain in south wales - you will be walking, simple as that

 

[Lee_M]

I haven't got a 28

ah running a 39x33 is cheating! :-)

 

[marzjennings]

You're finding out that running fit does not equal cycling fit and that you're going to have to develop and train before hills become easier.

I'm 6'5" and 16 stone and like you run half marathons now and then (thou my pace of around 10min/mile is about as good as it gets). But I've only been running for about 3 years and been a cyclist for over 20 years and I ridden with a bunch of runners who are surprised that can't just jump on a bike and ride for the same amount of time and effort as they run. Different muscles and different pace.

Give the bike some time and build up some cycling stamina.

I ride a single speed, 48x15, and have no problem riding 100 hilly miles on it every now and then.

 

[lulubel]

'Anyone' can ride any bike, but if you are miserable riding it you will soon take up another sport. Go for as small an inner chainring that you can get onto the existing bike and if that, with your new cassette won't get you up hills think about an 11-34 MTB cassette with a long cage dérailleur, or even a triple up front. Even with all of those items changed you won't be any more out of pocket than trading in a newish bike for another.

This is a very good reply, and worth taking notice of.

Some people take pride in being able to climb in a "big" gear (whatever your definition of that is). My partner is one of those, and I think she's nuts, to be honest. She has a triple with an 12-26 cassette on her road bike, and happily tells me the smallest gear she ever uses is 42 x 26 (42 being the size on her middle chain ring). She wouldn't be seen dead using the granny (smallest) chain ring.

I, on the other hand, have a triple with an 11-34 mountain bike cassette, and I use every single one of those gears. If I had to grind my way up hills, in my lowest gear, wondering if I was going to make it to the top, I'd be utterly miserable and probably give up cycling altogether. As it is, I can ride up practically anything short of a vertical cliff face.

So, while it's true that you are not cycling fit, and you will see a lot of gains in a short space of time to begin with, don't overlook the possibility that you might just enjoy cycling more if you have smaller gears.

 

[MaxInc]

I failed misserably climbing 12-15% hills on 34/30. Heck, they were difficult to walk nevermind ride ... lol I never really knew I had a 12-30 casette untill I took it apart for cleaning

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks maxinc ...that 34/30 presumably is way easier than a 39/28 which will soon to be my lowest gear and way lower than my current 39/23 is that correct? And I am guessing you are an experienced cyclist, so how does that measure up to the earlier post that I should be able to get up anything with a 39/28... Confusing this cycle malarkey. And yes I have come to realise that my ability to run long races at sub 7 min miles counts for SFA on my bike.

 

[on the road]

No amount of gearing is going to get rid of swearing and cursing up hills.

That's true, I was swearing and cursing going up a 1 in 4 on a 39/23

 

[jowwy]

Thanks maxinc ...that 34/30 presumably is way easier than a 39/28 which will soon to be my lowest gear and way lower than my current 39/23 is that correct? And I am guessing you are an experienced cyclist, so how does that measure up to the earlier post that I should be able to get up anything with a 39/28... Confusing this cycle malarkey. And yes I have come to realise that my ability to run long races at sub 7 min miles counts for SFA on my bike.

the remark about the 39/28 getting up anything - quite frankly down right a ridiculous comment to make - it might be easy for the person making the comment and for load of other people on this forum - but its not right for every body and the comment shouldn't have been made.

its not a d**k swinging contest

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I am making a right pigs ear of my first venture into road biking. I created a thread the other about having bought my first road bike with the wrong gears for me. I won't go into it too much but its a 52/39 with a 12/23. I have ordered a new rear cassette as advised and that is on its way its a 11/28. I am pretty sure that this is not going to be my saviour and I still will struggle on the hills. The only other thing I can do I suppose is to change my front cogs to effectively make it a compact, is that an easy job I have read about some diameter thing being different. It seems to me that is a right load of hassle.

So I thinkI am going to buy a new bike with a compact whats the best way to sell my existing bike. Do bike shops part exchange these days? Or is a bike forum or ebay the way to go.

This is the Ribble from the other thread isn't it?

Sorry, not meaning to be rude but it seems a complete waste of time to post this again and do it all over again!

People take time and effort (generally) to reply and what we have here is more of the same advice that you already have been given.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/gear-help-for-newbie-please.134687/#post-2535702

I'll repeat my original advice (and a bit extra) though: change cassette and try bike, change rings try bike. If neither works then road biking is not for you.

You seem hell bent on selling your Ribble - is there something else you do not like about it?

 

[MaxInc]

Thanks maxinc ...that 34/30 presumably is way easier than a 39/28 which will soon to be my lowest gear and way lower than my current 39/23 is that correct? And I am guessing you are an experienced cyclist, so how does that measure up to the earlier post that I should be able to get up anything with a 39/28... Confusing this cycle malarkey. And yes I have come to realise that my ability to run long races at sub 7 min miles counts for SFA on my bike.

Yes, it is a lot easier on 34/30 than on 39/23 and even 39/28 but unless you have a specific climb to conquer, it doesn't mean much. And I'm not experienced cyclist by any means, just fascinated by it. I was actually pretty unfit until I decided to change last year with running and weights but a year of that meant nothing in terms of cycling fitness although I did drop almost 3 stones. I've been on the bike for 3 months only but things change very rapidly. Started with MTB 4 miles in 29 minutes, now same bike same route I do in 15 minutes. I did my first 100k a couple of weeks ago and want more. What I used to consider stupid hills, I don't pay much attention to them now. In the meantime I have discovered what tough hills really are and plan to conquer them at some point, if only I could swallow a pill and wake up fit enough the next day I do enjoy the challenges but I've learned to take it one step at a time. There's plenty of hills in each direction, no need to start with the most difficult ones.

 

[T4tomo]

its not a d**k swinging contest

correct

but that said

I failed misserably climbing 12-15% hills on 34/30. Heck, they were difficult to walk nevermind ride

might not be rerpresenatative either.
I'm quite happy at such gradients on a normal compact, so lowest gear of 34-25.

Until the OP tests out his 39x 28 then its all just speculation.

 

[ayceejay]

There might be a psychological factor involved.
Running is about stride and pace and this can go wrong when applied to riding a bike.
I think that cycling is more about turning the pedals and whether riding up hill or into a head wind spinning the pedals will help you progress rather than trying to push through as you would if running.

 

[Kbrook]

Spokeydokey... Sorry for what you think is wasting your time, I was after some more info which I have been given by helpful posters. I am trying to make an informed decision about the way to go, nothing I don't like about it other than my inablitity to ride it properly. You probably wanted reassurance when you first started out, anyway thanks all and feel free to close this thread.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Spokeydokey... Sorry for what you think is wasting your time, I was after some more info which I have been given by helpful posters. I am trying to make an informed decision about the way to go, nothing I don't like about it other than my inablitity to ride it properly. You probably wanted reassurance when you first started out, anyway thanks all and feel free to close this thread.

Not my thread to close - I was just pointing out that you have the info' - what more do you want? Nothing to do with reassurance is it?