Wiiiiide ratios, why not?

[DresdenDoom]

OK, hands up I'm a fat b*****d to the extent that I have more than a passing interest in electric bikes. But that's not important right now. I've been considering gearing. Hills are murder for people like me, that granny ring just can't get too small By way of consolation for the struggle (and a dryer for my sweaty clothes!) I want to go like the proverbial wind on the other side, a luxury denied me on my current hybrid at a paltry 27mph. 44 x 14 x 700-40C is feeble kit, but the low end is stump-pullingly fine for heavy haulage.

I've been looking at the Alvio 11-speed hub gear. It's got a range of 409% from 0.527 to 2.153. They also do a chain tensioner with a 16-tooth range. So why not fit a 50/34 front set thus giving a nominal 25 - 150 gear-inch range. Have cake, eat cake. Has anyone ever tried this? If not, why not?

 

[gaz]

One thing that can be off putting with a hub gear is the jump between each gear. You can find one gear supper spiny and the next a massive grind.

 

[chillyuk]

As one fat b*****d to another save your money and buy one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fat-Basta...US_Men_s_Athletic_Apparel&hash=item1c21bda063

Seriously I am down to 18 stone and my weight is slowly decreasing. I have no problem riding up to 40 miles on a heavy hybrid. Weight is a problem, but it gets easier the fitter you become.

 

[DresdenDoom]

One thing that can be off putting with a hub gear is the jump between each gear. You can find one gear supper spiny and the next a massive grind.

Isn't that better know from Rohloff, famous for their lower-7 grumble? Way beyond my pay grade anyhow although the principle above would apply in spades, allowing you to avoid the rough area completely.

 

[DresdenDoom]

As one fat b*****d to another save your money and buy one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fat-Bastard-Cycling-5X-5XL-bicycle-bike-Mens-New-/120825159779?pt=US_Men_s_Athletic_Apparel&hash=item1c21bda06

$60!!!! Love the idea, might be mileage in a British version

Seriously I am down to 18 stone and my weight is slowly decreasing. I have no problem riding up to 40 miles on a heavy hybrid. Weight is a problem, but it gets easier the fitter you become.

Much kudos, couldn't conceive of 40miles atm, tho maybe come a New Years diet and the springtime...

 

[PpPete]

Learn to spin your legs faster?
44 x 14 x 700-40C would give you 34 mph at 130 rpm
Actually any faster isnt going to dry your clothes quicker.... it'll just get you to the bottom of the hill (and the start of the next one) that much sooner.

 

[aberal]

The problem is not the gearing, but the hybrid. It will be too heavy and probably the tyres will be too fat for the road and aren't pumped up to sufficiently high pressures for the road. Step one - get as thin as possible slick (treadless) tyres and pump them up to around 100psi if you can. Step two - buy a road bike!

 

[DresdenDoom]

The problem is not the gearing, but the hybrid. It will be too heavy and probably the tyres will be too fat for the road and aren't pumped up to sufficiently high pressures for the road. Step one - get as thin as possible slick (treadless) tyres and pump them up to around 100psi if you can. Step two - buy a road bike!

The problem is not the hybrid but its owner :P The tyres are deliciously fat and bouncy, providing comfort on the literally slow grind into work. They run at 80PSI btw. Try it, you might like it!

Oh, and re weight. One hours medium pedalling will easily lose the difference between your bike and mine in sweat alone

 

[PpPete]

The tyres are deliciously fat and bouncy, providing comfort on the literally slow grind into work.

I think the point is that narrower tyres - and maybe one day a lighter bike - will be much less of a slow grind - and therefore comfort not so important.

How do I know this? Well I have this fat friend (and I mean seriously fat) who had a hybrid and conceived the mad notion of riding John O'Groats - Land's End on his hybrid. Bottom line was he couldnt keep up on our training rides.... until we kitted him out with 700x23c on some narrower rims. Then he could keep up, get some serious miles in, lose weight etc etc.

He never, ever, not once complained about losing comfort.

 

[DresdenDoom]

Did he make the trip? Lands End to .. er .. Penzance would do for me

 

[cyberknight]

go for apex groupset , a 11-32 cassette with a 50- 34 gives you a gear ratio form 30- 119 inches .

 

[PpPete]

Did he make the trip? Lands End to .. er .. Penzance would do for me

He made it just over half-way (500 mile) before his knees gave out.... sadly they had been damaged previously playing footie in his youth, and decades of supporting 20+ stone since hadnt helped either.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I've been looking at the Alvio 11-speed hub gear. It's got a range of 409% from 0.527 to 2.153. They also do a chain tensioner with a 16-tooth range. So why not fit a 50/34 front set thus giving a nominal 25 - 150 gear-inch range. Have cake, eat cake. Has anyone ever tried this? If not, why not?

Think you are talking about the 11 speed Alfine? Firstly hub at 1.74kg actual weight, you will be carrying an extra kg. Secondly hub gears are generally less efficient than derailleurs (am fully expecting incoming from MacB and others... ) so yes it will make quite a good exercise bike to work up more sweat! Finally good sized person pedalling downhill furiously at 150 gear inches what brakes have you got?

 

[snailracer]

With most hub gears, there is a lower limit to the chainring teeth/rear cog teeth ratio - if you go lower, too much torque is transmitted through the hub gear which will invalidate the warranty (and break!). Check the Shimano website for this.

 

[Nebulous]

Do you see a place for hub gears at all RAFN?

I'm considering building a touring bike and have been toying with the idea of going to Alfine, the 8 possibly, as its cheaper. I saw a nearly new subway with the Alfine for less than £200, and thought I could sell the rest of the bits. I'm unlikely to be going cross- continent or anything, a week with a tent is likely to be my maximum, so it could be overkill. It's likely to be a long-term project. At the moment all I have is a hub dynamo, which is going to magically grow into a bike. The more sensible option may be just to go for a MTB mech and a wide cassette as seems traditional for touring.