What chainring combo do you have

ryan_sherlock

Road
53,39 crankset
12,25 training
11,23 racing (there are never any proper climbs in Irish races - and I tend to use the 11 a lot racing - an 11,25 would probably work but I like the close ratios on the 11,23)

MTB
42,28 (going on the 'hack' bike for starters)
11,34

A 42 on as the big ring is enough for all XC racers, maybe in a few marathons with long fireroad descents you would need a standard 44.

Raam

ryan_sherlock wrote: »

11,23 racing (there are never any proper climbs in Irish races - and I tend to use the 11 a lot racing - an 11,25 would probably work but I like the close ratios on the 11,23)

.

Even for Shay Elliot?

ryan_sherlock

I had a look at the Shay Elliot profile this morning - it's actually pretty flat (apart from Shay Elliot climb itself). On Shay Elliot, I remember the first part being pretty steep [9-10% for first km] but I can hoof over that... If (and as I'm on a heavy training load this week, it is a big if) I was anywhere near the lead, the speed up the climb would mean that I wouldn't be hitting the 25 anyway.

Doing the Kippure climb the other week, I never used the 25, lowest was 21 I think (possibly hit 23 when seated, but not sure).

Besides, it's the only cassette I have with an 11, and I'll need that.

MadHatter

I have 50/36 up front and 11/25 at the back. It's gotten me up any hills I've tried so far but not without much gnashing of teeth (mine, not the chainrings).

I toyed with the idea of switching to 12/27 for the Wicklow 200, but then one night I woke up in a cold sweat thinking tunney was on his way round to my house to berate me for being such a wuss. So I've decided to HTFU and stick with what I have.

Maybe...

IM0

53/39 x 25/12 and do LOTS of climbing 1000's meters (altitude)