help needed!! Gears for Mt Ventoux
AllTorque
Posts: 31
Hi Guys,
I recently converted my bike to run a compact chainset (34-50) at the front with a 12-25 at the back. I was struggling up the steepest hills in the cotswolds (~250m) with this at the weekend, and am due to go to Provence in 2 weeks to try and grind my way up Mt Ventoux (a mere 1300m!!). Ideally I'd like a triple for this, but there's no way I can get hold of one, so.....
Is there any way I can stick a mountain bike rear cassette on the bike? Or alternatively, what's the biggest rear cassette I can get for the bike? Any help appreciated - i know nothing!!
I recently converted my bike to run a compact chainset (34-50) at the front with a 12-25 at the back. I was struggling up the steepest hills in the cotswolds (~250m) with this at the weekend, and am due to go to Provence in 2 weeks to try and grind my way up Mt Ventoux (a mere 1300m!!). Ideally I'd like a triple for this, but there's no way I can get hold of one, so.....
Is there any way I can stick a mountain bike rear cassette on the bike? Or alternatively, what's the biggest rear cassette I can get for the bike? Any help appreciated - i know nothing!!
0
Comments
-
I should think you'll be able to get a 28 on the back so a 11-28 should be a goer. I used that in the Alps with the same 34-50 on the front and it gives you a nice low gear thats noticeably easier that the 34-25. Always nice when you're struggling to realise you have one more gear to go and click it onto the 28. A nice relief. 8)0
-
Sounds great my friend! Any idea where I can buy one from?0
-
ps - I've got a 9 speed cassette - can I get an 11-28 for a 9speed?0
-
You running Campag or Shimano ??Luke0
-
erm, I dunno. Your local bike shop (lbs) should probably have one. Otherwise have a look online. I'm on 8 speed but there should be a 9 speed with a 28 on it I'd have thought. Although I couldn't see one after a quick scan of Wiggle. You might have to make some phonecalls.0
-
Lucky Luke wrote:You running Campag or Shimano ??
Shimano mate - it's looking like I might have to settle for a 12-27 I think. And some EPO...0 -
12-28 are difficult to find. However, 12-27 are readily available.
Given that you may well need help fitting it your LBS is a good option...Rich0 -
27 will still give you a nice spinning gear though.0
-
I made Mt Ventoux quite comfortably with a 36 / 25 (although I was in bottom for quite a lot of the way) from Bedoin. Try and get some serious practice in before hand on hills (with a good hard ride three or four days before to tone up) and remember that the majority of Mt Ventoux is around 9% so is not actually that steep, just very long. Its all in the rhythm (so get a run in on the flat for a few miles). If you are doing it from Sault its is much less steep.
Oh, and pray for decent weather at the top!0 -
I changed to an MTB cassette for the hills in Cornwall, the rear mech (ultegra shortcage) couldn't cope though, so I had to stick a Deore mech on at the same time. Shimano road mechs should all take a 27, some of them might take higher though, it's a bit pot luck on your mech and the angles of your bike.
Oddly I was going to ask a similar question about the Ventoux. Having gone over quite a few Alpine passes (Iseran, Izoard, Mont Cenis etc) in 39x26 I was wondering if the Ventoux needs something a bit lower than normal http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Co ... untainID=4 looks worrying!0 -
If you can do Iseran or Izoard on 39x26 then you'll be ok on Ventoux with the same. There are only a couple of short sections with steeper than 10% bits.
I managed to get up it (and d'Huez) on 39x26 and that was when I was a little chubbier and less fit than I am now.--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I\'d use that.0 -
Ah, cheers, can stop worrying quite so much now. Had visions of grinding to a halt half way up or something.0
-
As Mossrider says for Ventoux you need to get into a good rythmn . I don't know if you plan on riding alone or with others but you need to climb at your own pace not other riders' . It's long and relentless so settle down and get into a rythmn that suits you .Luke0
-
Alltorque,
I used a triple but did not really have to use my bottom 2 gears on the Ventoux. Saying that I like to know that they are there if needed. 2nd the advice about getting in rythmn and I would advise getting into your bottom gear as soon as the going gets tough and then you can always go up a gear if you feel good.
Hope you have a good time and the climb itself is awesome.Brian B.0 -
You have to be patient on a long steady climb like the Ventoux, but once you get above the tree-line the view will inspire you.0
