road bike gearing -...
 

MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch

[Closed] road bike gearing - a question

9 Posts
7 Users
0 Reactions
47 Views
Posts: 1410
Full Member
Topic starter
 

I am sorting out a road bike for a mate who is doing the dartmoor classic, and there is a few hills out there, and his legs need a bit of help...

his bike is currently running a 39/52 and 12/23 setup.

question is: what would be the better solution to allow him to winch up the hills if he blows up? (irrespective of price)

compact chainset 34/50 or a wider spread on the back say 11-27?

both give roughly the same gain ratios on sheldon browns website...

any problems with either idea?


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:44 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

If he's currently got an 11t difference on the back, will the rear derailleur cope with a 16t difference ?
Aren't short cage road mechs a bit limited ?


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:47 am
 cp
Posts: 8948
Full Member
 

how about doing both compact and 11-27 for full winchability?!

[edit] - my road bike originally came with 12-27 & 34-50 compact with a medium cage 105 rear mech.


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:49 am
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

A normal rear mech should handle a compact and 12-27. Gearing sounds right - there's some grim climbs down there and he'll need that low gear.


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:50 am
Posts: 12
Free Member
 

I've ridden this one. It's lumpy, but an ace day out..!

I think I rode 39/27 but it was hard work on some of the climbs.

TBH, I'd go for compact and a 25 or 27 at the back, and have a huge range of gears.


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:51 am
Posts: 41395
Free Member
 

Chainrings last longer than cassettes but buying a hainset will cost more. If you are replacing a worn cassette you'll need a new chain.

Road mechs should cope at 27T Shirley?


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:51 am
Posts: 1410
Full Member
Topic starter
 

there's some grim climbs down there

tell me about it... proper face melter's

Road mechs should cope at 27T Shirley?

thats what I was thinking...


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:52 am
Posts: 41395
Free Member
 

FWIW my road rr mech copes with 13-25 and a 30/42/52 triple OK.

Triples may be no more exp than compacts - but way less gay.


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:56 am
Posts: 5807
Free Member
 

I had a 39/52 a couple of years ago when I did the Dragon Ride - the most cost-effective way for me to get some winching gears was an old mtb rear mech and a 11-32 cassette. Worth considering if you've got the bits around.


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 9:59 am
Posts: 1410
Full Member
Topic starter
 

triple all the way for me, but he would been chainset, mech and shifter... gets a tad expensive.

Worth considering if you've got the bits around.

not a bad shout


 
Posted : 23/03/2011 10:04 am