Gear ratio for cliaming mountains

noodles1210

Hi all,

I have a Carbon road bike with a standard 53/39 front crank, and as it is a challange riding up some steep mountain claimbs in my lowest gear setting, I am hoping to make these ride a little easier on myself. Could I keep the standard 53 big ring and maybe a 36 small ring as I use a high gear on flater roads, or do I have to change the bigger crank.

Many thanks

Tired Legs

BrianTrousers

What's the range of your rear cassette? It may be worthwhile checking that first as if your largest rear is 25 then you will find it a struggle. A 27 on the back should go some way to sorting you out.

A 53/36 would be a big jump and I'm not sure how it would affect your chain tension as it could get a bit sloppy.

My winter bike is 53/39 and my 'posh' one is a compact 50/34. To be honest I find the compact more of a jolt when jumping to the small ring and the range of gears I have on both is similar due to the varying sizes of the rear cassette.

There are lots of threads on here regarding compact set-ups so have a look for those.

If you are really struggling then I would suggest initially changing the rear cassette for something with a 27 (or larger). Failing that, go for a compact on the front.

Good luck!

redddraggon

What mountains are you climbing?

A 53/39 chainset probably has a BCD of 130mm or 135mm, so you won't be able to fit a ring smaller than 38t.

You'll probably have to change to a compact.

chrisw12

Out of curiosity, will a mtb cassette 11-30 work on a road bike if you get a long cage rear mech (and change the chain)?

If it works then isn't this a cheaper option than buying a new type of chainset?

I know there's a concern over the jump in gears, but you could bastardise two cassetes, perhaps loose the 11 and replace with a 12, then tighten up the smaller gears, say
12,13,14,16,18,21,24,27,30 or something similar depending on what gears are welded together. Eg you could buy two of these and play with it :oops: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/SRAM_ ... 360013884/

Saying that if you've got 10sp I see ultegra do a 11-28 and sram.

Why don't they make a 12-30 (or even a 13-30)? for people like the op?

chrisw12

Oh and since you posted in the training forum, you could just go out and train harder.

2x20 done with a cadence of MAXIMUM 50, or do training rides where you only use the 53x12 (or similar) combo.

Might sound harsh but it's the cheapest option.


<sit here and wait for the 'you'll get bad knees' bs brigade to jump in.>

rake

try mtb mech or medium length road derailer. a new chain is a good idea on a new block for wear. the trouble with mtb block youl have big jumps between gears. compacts a better option with a 25 block.