Seems to be alot of people on here that run somwhere around 32-16 or 32-18. Now I currently run 32-21 on my 29er which I reckon is pretty much spot on around here (Cotswolds) but compaired to what everyone else is running it seems a bit small…..do I need to MTFU or is this an acceptable gear 😛

What ever works for you dude, just make sure your having fun and enjoy the simplicity!

Sounds about right for a 29er. Most folks running 32/16 will be running 26″ wheels.

36/18 here (26″er)

However you like it is fine!

I’m 34/16 on a 26″er for off-road use.

just ordered one of these bad boys

well on-one but still a big un.

32-22 nice and easy.

32-16 or 32-17 for the winter! But thats on Cannock Chase and its pretty flat!

…..But thats on Cannock Chase and its pretty flat!

Not what you were saying when I was trail leading 🙄

will also be running 32-16 when I finish mine in a week, but its quite steep where I live, so what would be better for big climbs? (32-17?) Not very good when it comes to gearing ratios…

Is that what your calling it Mike 😆

35:19 on the 29er in the NYmoors

I think you need to grow some balls and put a proper sized gear on ;0)
I mean a 44″ gear is tiny!

For hilly trail centres(Wales/Scotland)I use 32:17 or 32:18
Its not the length of the climb but the gradient that can be an issue if you don’t want to be stood up too much

32:18 on 26″ wheels.
you need to look up and compare development (distance travelled per revoloution of the crank), not ratios, as your using silly wheels 😉

I run 52 : 16 on my commuter but its specifically geared just for my commute route, id be screwed anywhere else 🙂

2:1 is fairly common for a 26″ off road though isnt it?

unless your getting left behind in a group, there is NO reason to run a harder gear than your comfortable with.

if you go faster, your ride is over quicker
and your knees too
and your crank bearings.

if 32:21 “feels about spot on” then thats the gear for you!

52:16 max?

thats HUGE??

i was pedalling 42:16, on a 26″ bike, with 1″ 120psi road tyres and that was plenty fast and hard enough!

42:14 (78 inches) but it’s on the road.

42 17 on the road in Edinburgh/midlothian for a 10 mile commute – perfect for me

32:14 on 26 inch, was 32:16, but spinning out too much, but 32:14 just fine and manages road/mixed use fine, but limited on hills, but manages all round here fine. 32:16 fine if mainly off road as you can feel the extra drag on 32:14!!! a 15t would be a good compromise, but they are like hens teeth!!

i run 32×16 on the 26″ mtb but ran 33×18 on the 29er not sure why though!

Check out Obree in last months C+

67×13 fixed

It hurts to just look at, looks like a bike Jo B. drew for the article.