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Cycling gear ratio

  • 05-09-2011 9:20am
    #1
    barrmur
    Registered Users Posts: 109 ✭✭


    Hi All,

    As a relatively new member of the cycling community I am looking for some advice. Most of the cycling I do is in the mountains (road bike). Some of the climbs I have done are around the Sally Gap, Lovers leap, Lugalla mast, Laragh to Turlough hill power station and most have been ok, pain wise. However after reading on boards about the hill climb championship I decided to give that one a go. My time, a woeful 12.57 would have been good enough for stone dead last. The most painful experience of my life and almost twice the time of the winner.

    I realise fitness improvements will help but have any of you expert climbers got any advice on the best type of crank and cassette for climbs like this. Currently I have a 53/38 crank and a 12/28 cassette, both Shimano. I do not know if these would be considered good or bad for climbing? Any help would be appreciated.

    Also if people are going to suggest a change could you also suggest a make or model? Would changing this set up also mean a new chain also??

    Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    manwithaplan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭manwithaplan


    I am not an expert climber!

    53/38 (you sure it's not 39?) is a standard racing double chainring set-up. The small ring (the 38 or maybe 39) would be considered a bit on the big side for us mere mortals for very tough climbs like Kilamashogue (on the front small=easier). The alternative (apart from a triple) is a compact chainset which is 50/34.

    Having said that, you have a 28 tooth sprocket on the back which is about as big as it gets (on the back, big=easier).

    If you are OK up the likes of the Sally Gap with the set-up you have, I wouldn't change it. There aren't many Kilamashogues around and changing chainrings is an expensive business. The fact that you managed to get up it is an achievement.

    If it's any consolation, I don't think the hill climb championship start was at the bridge!


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