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ANYONE who makes outlandish statements about not needing anything taller than a 39/23 as their bottom gear, I can assure you you just don't ride anywhere with very steep hills. I'm sure you're pretty strong and can get up some fairly steep hills, but as davidtaylforth said, how would you plan on tackling the Hardknott pass, in places a 1 in 3 iirc? One of my friends is doing it, normally rides a 39/53 with an 11-21 or 11-23 for racing, but is taking a CX bike with a 30/39/53 triple and an 11-34 MTB cassette out back to make sure of getting up the Hardknott pass!
Same here: I've always ridden 39/53 with either a 12-23 or 12-25 but when I did the Fred Whitton I used my CX bike with 34/48 chainset and a 12-27 cassette. 34:27 low gear was *just* enough. And I like climbing hills!
I like a triple but must admit to using a 28/38/48 with a 12/25 cassette.
The 28 is for gravelling but the 38 front does most hills, a touch lower than the road 39 and a 48 does everything else. Stick that on the 12 and its fine for everything on the flat, I never spin out. Downhills that are steep and long need no pedalling, partly as 40 plus is just plain moronic.
When I converted my SSCX into geared I went 34/46 with 12/27, I use the 34/27 to twiddle up a 1 mile long 1:10 hill that's close to home on my commute. I too struggle to keep a good chainline particularly when twiddling home after a 14hr night shift with the brain and zest of a snail. Horses for courses n all that jazz.
I used to make fun of compact cranks, but they're actually good man. Better cadence. Compact cranks are the way to go. You know Basso uses compact cranks? So does Tyler Hamilton.
partly as 40 plus is just plain moronic.
You say moronic I say wuss