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Compared to when you used to have a 26er?
Yes. And a smaller chainring.
Yes, I have a 34. I have a 24 on the front rather than a 22 though.
No, might even be bigger. Not through deliberate action, just from going from an old triple to a new double setup.
Not been a problem for me.
Yep got a 'weight of the moon' deore 12-36.
Yes.
Yes
Just a smaller chainring 30t x 11-36 seems to work very well for me
Yes I used to run a triple with 32 out back.
On the 29er I now run single 32 on the front and 36 or 40 on the back. Depending on the bike.
Nope, 38-24 front though.
nope, but wish I did. Currently have 22x34, would like to have 22x36 but restricted by 9sp.
I run a 32 on the front and an 11-40 on the rear, could really do with a double at the front fitness wise but like the simplicity of no front mech.
Exactly the same as the doubles I used to run 26".
Yes
Have just bought one to put on, only really wanted 36 on the back when I ride in Wales as it doesn't seem to be such a problem in the peaks - climbs are shorter I guess.
30 front 11-42 rear
Same basically whichever xt one i can get cheapest 🙂
Nope. Generic rear on both along with a 38T \ 22 in 2x10 format on both bikes.
Yes, went from 44/32/22 and 11-32 on the 26er to 38/26 (I think) and 11-36 on the 29er, but that was largely due to going 10-speed. Gearing not quite as low, but I've not failed to get up anything I'd have managed on the 26er yet.
32 with an 11-36 although I keep thinking I could do with a 40t extender.....
My 29er is 3x9 though, apparently I'm in the minority 🙂
32t with a 11-36 but I also am considering either a 30t or an extender.
Yes, started on 32t with 11-32 and now gone up to 11-34. 9sp though and I'm in the non-mountainous south.
Mine is exactly the same. Because I took it off the 26er.
On my soul(before switching to 29) I had an 11-32 cassette and a 32t chainring
on my Solaris I have an 11-36 cassette - and a 32t chainring
The "gearing up" effect of 29 vs 26 wheels is like 2 teeth on the chainring. That said I am running the same 32T/ 10-42T drivetrain on my 29er as I did on the 26 and barely notice a difference
40-30-22 triple front and 11-36 cassette for me!
Compared to when you used to have a 26er?
Nope, in general I have higher gears now, either 1x1 or 1x10. I never needed the lower gears anyway though. If I was still on 26 I'd probably have higher gears too though...
Well I just cleared the local tricky climb on my 29er with my 26er gearing (forget what it is, 11-30 perhaps?) so the answer is simply get a bit fitter and work a bit harder, as always 🙂
In answer to the OP, no. Running 22/36 11-32, lifted from a broken 26er and put onto a 29er frame I got. Thought I might struggle and would be in granny all the time (when on my 26er I seemed to drop to the granny quite early due to 36t ring) but haven't found this to be the case. Rarely drop into granny, bike just seems to climb with little effort. Even considering going 1x10 with a 36 ring and 40T t-rex, will see tho.
Maybe worth mentioning tho, it's a hardtail compared to the FSer I was on originally - so I may stand up more rather than the sit and spin FS style, also I haven't done any really big rides on it, so may struggle with the higher gearing after a lot of miles.
The gear choice is more annoying, rather than the actual ratios tbh. As you say I have to be in the granny ring more on stuff I would be doing in the middle ring.
Of course the best solution is smaller rings, but sod that expense 🙂
The bike is a HT also but it's not particularly light and doens't exactly spring up the climbs.
40-30-22 and 11-32 for me, I didn't want wider gaps on the cassete so went for the smaller chainring, although as it turns out I regret doing so as the bike is that bit better all round than my old 26er that I don't need the easier gears.
If you're running 1x then I'd run 4 teeth smaller on 29 than 26, 2 teeth smaller on 27.5 than 26. If you're running 2x or 3x you should have so many gears that you're rarely at the very bottom of the range - and if you're often struggling with the lowest gear then I'd change the granny ring to a smaller one. However, if that requires more than a 14 tooth increment to the next chainring then I'd downside that chainring too to maintain decent shifting.
1x is definitely simpler!
well that was what I expected but it hasn't happened, but I have been spending a lot of time on my cx and the smallest gear on that is similar to 36x32 on my 29er so that could have something to do with it.As you say I have to be in the granny ring more on stuff I would be doing in the middle ring.
But yeah If you find you're dropping to granny [i]a lot[/i] I'd look at going smaller, it's a faff shifting into middle for flat/downs and then back down to granny as soon as the trail rises slightly (as I was doing on my 26er - I didn't actually get around to purchasing smaller rings tho 🙂 )
Well I just cleared the local tricky climb on my 29er with my 26er gearing (forget what it is, 11-30 perhaps?) so the answer is simply get a bit fitter and work a bit harder, as always
you're probably getting a bit of 29er payback in grip and [s]reliability[/s] rollability too.
Just a smaller chainring 30t x 11-36 seems to work very well for me
+1
Although I suppose I run a 38/26 double on my other bike but would be happy with the above when I need to change again.
you're probably getting a bit of 29er payback in grip and reliability rollability too.
Actually, it's a lot harder on the 29er because it's HT, and rocky and loose. The FS gives much better traction and allows smoother seated pedalling.
sheldons calculator tells us a 32x36 ratio on a 26r is exactly the same as a 30x36 on a 29er.
Whether this is correct in the real world i shall find out when my new bike arrives
Well I just cleared the local tricky climb on my 29er with my 26er gearing (forget what it is, 11-30 perhaps?) so the answer is simply get a bit fitter and work a bit harder, as always
Most 29ers also seems to have different geometry to the comparable 26er, longer chainstay lengths, longer front centre, hence longer wheelbase, more BB drop etc which contributes to more planted climbing I think. I can't say I noticed anything significant to do with "rollability" or comfort going to 29er (maybe better rolling over chunky stuff descending but certainly very little difference on flats and climbs). What I did notice is the ability to just crack on and put the power down on a steep loose climb being significantly better on the 29er. Seems like a geometry thing for me (comparing 26er XC bike to 29er XC bike).
sheldons calculator tells us a 32x36 ratio on a 26r is exactly the same as a 30x36 on a 29er.
Said this on p1 😀 My power meter data on a smooth constant climb I do frequently in different gears seems to agree with the theory on SB
pretty sure the gear calculator on SB is maths/science not theory 😉My power meter data... seems to agree with the theory on SB