Steep Hill Gears.

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Location
Pontefract
I think you'll find that the gear you need is ALWAYS just one lower than is available on your bike
Not to sure on that, I had it set up 26 front 34 rear, and found it too easy but I was peddling quite fast just to keep forward momentum (cadence about 95, which would have given me about 8.5mph which was about right), but having said that getting to the top on that that time was quit easy it wasnt long, but the effort and maintaining it was difficult, did the same hill last week in 26-28 and found it a little easier, though tougher peddling.
 

MissyR

Senior Member
Location
Airdrie
Your inner chain ring the 30 you could change to a 28 or possible 26, you will need to find what B.C.D. (Bolt centre Diameter) its a bit awkward to measure, so measure edge bolt to edge bolt or centr to centre Shelden explains better than I do. The BCD is usually 74mm for the inner (mine was odd so I had to get a new chainset).

Your current set up of 30 front 28 back gives you a ratio of 1;1.07 if you change to a 28 front it gives you a 1:1 ratio and a 26 1:0.93 which is pretty low you can go lower by changing the rear cassette for something with either 32 or 34 teeth the 34 giving you a really low ratio of 1:0.76, I found this to low though it will get you up anything just about though.
But you need to make sure your rear mech can cope with 34, some cant my sora couldnt so I changed it for an acera, when I am better I will probably revert to more road oriented gears, though my next project is to convert from 7 to 8 gears then I can go 13-15-17-19-21-24-28-34 or 13-15-17-19-21-23-26-30 and up the inner ring from the current 26 to maybe 28.

In all situations you will need to check that both front and back mechs can travel over the require number of teeth changes the, i.e. the front 14th if you change to a 26, it should do 12 if you goto 28.
Since your back is already 28 (12-28 = 16th) it probably will do 32 or possible 34, so your tototal difference max difference would be 26-50 on the 24 on the front and 12-34 =22 on the back giving you a total of 46 which I think is getting a little much, but I am not very sure on all the specifications on all modern stuff.

Oh my god I need a paracetamol after trying to work out what that meant! And to be honest i'm still confused :laugh:
 
Location
Pontefract
Oh my god I need a paracetamol after trying to work out what that meant! And to be honest i'm still confused :laugh:
Less teeth on the front more on the back = lower gear, just make sure your front and rear dérailleur can cope with the amount of change in the teeth between highest and lowest gears. Clearer for you.
But I am sure you knew this.
 
Location
Pontefract
Yes thanks. I like simple things :smile: bring back my chopper anyday!
edited it, yea it was confusing, my excuse not enough coffee yet.
Speaking of chopper's how the heck as a kid could I ride that thing all over with just 3 gears, and today struggle with a 21 sp road bike with quite low gearing.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I can see the problem. You've got flats fitted to a road bike. 100% makes you slow. Get some road shoes and pedals.

TBH you've got some good hill climbing gears already. How long have you been cycling ? Practice makes perfect. If that's a 28T on the rear already, you might be at the limit of the 105 rear mech, unless it's the medium cage version.
 
OP
OP
Boon 51

Boon 51

Veteran
Location
Deal. Kent.
Slight Slant..
Is there a way to calculate how steep a hill is % wise.. like 5%, 10%.. 12% etc.. or do you have too have a special machine..
 

Rob500

Well-Known Member
Location
Belfast
Slight Slant..
Is there a way to calculate how steep a hill is % wise.. like 5%, 10%.. 12% etc.. or do you have too have a special machine..
Hi. Divide the metres gained by the length of the hill times 100. For example: The road up to my house is 1300 metres and gains 71 metres. 71 / 1300 x 100 = so the hill is 5.4% average.

You can check it manually (ie there is no follow Road option) via here. http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/
 
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