What size rings for double & bash?

I’m about to go back to a double & bash from 1×9. Feeling the need for bigger & smaller gears than I get with 32T and an mtb cassette. I’ve previously ran double & bash with 32/22T and road/mtb cassettes.

What size rings are people running? I’m thinking 36/26T or would that just be wrong, running a short cage xt mech on rear too.

36/26 is what i run its perfect for trail riding great for around the woods etc and the 26 is fine for going up the steep stuff.

didn’t have a problem with any of the hills in Wales.

22/36 here. 🙂

think I have 36/26 too – doubt it’s crtical so don’t buy new ’til yoyu’ve tried what you have already

22/36 on both of mine, with an 11-34T cassette, though I’m tempted to try 24/36 I do like to have the crawler gear- even if it’s only so I can say “Well I’m not in the lowest gear”

I know a lot of people go for the 36t option but I tried it and just didn’t get on with it. I was finding I had to drop down to the 22t ring early as the 36/32 was too high. As a result I ended up shifting between the big and small ring a lot. I bent 2 36t rings.
Went back to 32t and I stay in that a lot, much happier now

I live in W Yorks and tend to ride where there’s a lot of steep ups and downs. 36t may make more sense for me in flatter areas.

22/36 with a 11/34 cassette

Spin away from 2.5 mph to 28 mph

And I am old enough to be northwinds dad 🙂

Edit = to answer robdob – it requires a different technique – I go into the 22 at the bottom of any climb and use it as a low close ratio set – using 1-6 in granny

22/36 on mine, works well for me

I like 24/36. With 22/36 there’s a big gap between gears.

When I had double and bash it was on a 38lb bike that I only took on rides in the mountains so I felt I needed 22T 🙂

TJ – yeah I know what you are saying, I just felt I was being forced into the 22 very early heading into a climb and it felt like it robbed speed. Also when I was riding rocky sections I liked the 32/32 combo as the chain was tighter and didn’t bounce around as much.
I don’t have a problem with lack of high gears – I love a fast fireroad thrash and have always felt I have enough gears.

It will depend on your riding style and where you ride. I would try the 32/22 first if you already have the chainrings and only change if you think you need those higher ratios. I spent a lot of cash getting a 36 setup with the ring and bashguard and it turned out to be not for me.

Thanks for the replys, think I’ll give 36/26 a try as can always swap round some of the rings I’ve left in garage if I can’t get on with it.

I have 26/36t with 11-32t rear and it is absolutely perfect! To me anyway.

22/32 and 11-32

low enough for what I ride. Don’t miss the high end at all. Stay on the 32 for most stuff, drop to 22 for the real steep stuff.

Dinnae be macho – get in that 22 at the bottom of every climb – gives you 6 or 7 close ratio low gears

I have 26/36 with a 34 cassette and it works nicely and I find I need to change gear less for some reason. BTW I am no racing snake. Only disadvantage is when it gets to a very steep hill. One if I had a 22 granny I could get up with a lot of effort, one which was marginal for getting off and walking anyway.

36/22. 22 for the climbs using 2/3 of the cassette, 36 for everything else using the whole (11-32) cassette. Not been using it that long but after only a couple of rides it made more sense than 3×9. And the bash ring saved me from a very nasty injury recently!

22/36 with 11-34 for me. Took me a little while to get used to shifting down more at the back when dropping into granny, but never looked back.

Make sure you have plenty of room around the chainstay to accommodate the bigger rings. This can be a cause of chainsuck.

As Buzz says – tried a 36 on my five, the chain came very close to the swing arm when changing gear. Put a 34 on, seams to be OK.