Which gears please?!

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Comments

  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    I'm surprised by the number of people on here using 170mm cranks, as I thought 175mm was the norm. Not sure I know anyone who uses short cranks. Or is it just one of those things that you don't really notice the difference?
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    APIII wrote:
    I'm surprised by the number of people on here using 170mm cranks, as I thought 175mm was the norm. Not sure I know anyone who uses short cranks. Or is it just one of those things that you don't really notice the difference?

    170mm is closer to average than 175mm really.
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  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,570
    I've got 170 on one bike and 172.5 on another. Can't say it makes any difference other than having to adjust the seat height accordingly.
  • rogerthecat
    rogerthecat Posts: 669
    re the 11t, only use down hill or racing, tbh my 11 - 25 works well with the standard dbl, however when solo riding I rarely use it as it requires more energy, well this is only my observations, I guess a compact with a 12 - 27 would have a wider range IMO

    With regards to the crank length, I am 6' 2" and run with a 175mm, if that helps
  • nicktheluddite
    nicktheluddite Posts: 221
    A bit off topic but........ crank length - Mike Burrows gave a talk at our work - he said he was interested in short cranks (150mm?) because he reckoned you can spin them better (I think I remember what he was saying). (Obviously the gear ratios affect the 'spinability' but I think it was from a kind of biological point of view - smaller cranks means feet move in smaller circles, maybe this is easier on knees/ankles since they move through smaller angles. However he was talking about recumbents rather than 'upright'.

    (Waits to be shot down in flames).

    On the original point - if you really find that the gear ratios aren't right, changing the rear cassette isn't a huge problem/expense.
  • cyberknight
    cyberknight Posts: 1,238
    Not strictly racing answer hereas i am a commuter with rack+ guards etc

    Sounds like the 12-25 would be the best option .

    i use an old 14 speed with 14-28 and 52/42 chain ring the top gear gives me if i worked it out right about 100 inches.

    On a good road i can keep up 24 mph which considering the weight of my set up i am happy with.


    Heres your gear ratios for a compact with 12-25 and 170 mm cranks
    ........50..........34
    12.. 109.5... 74.5
    13.. 101.1... 68.7
    14.. 93.9 ... 63.8
    15.. 87.6 ...59.6
    17.. 77.3 ... 52.6
    19.. 69.2 ... 47.0
    21.. 62.6 ... 42.5
    23.. 57.1 ... 38.8
    25 ..52.6 ... 35.7
    FCN 3/5/9
  • bristolpete
    bristolpete Posts: 2,255
    Running a 12-27 compact here....
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    bristolpete wrote:
    Running a 12-27 compact here....

    yup same here which does me fine for decent downhills, as beyond 40mph it's best to just tuck in.

    and will get me up even very steep hills etc.

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