road gears for Surrey Hils?

AndrewDeKerf
AndrewDeKerf Posts: 15
edited March 2010 in Road buying advice
Hi there.

I'm lucky enough to live near Surrey Hills so get quite a few climbs in, but i'm struggling on a few of the tougher hills with my gears, i'm sure it's getting me fit, but i'm doing a few sportives this year and feel I could do better with slightly more forgiving gears on!

I am currently running a 13-23 block with 39 - 53 double up front.

Can anyone suggest a good combo for the hills? Obviously cheaper alternatives are better!!

Cheers all, much appreciated!

Comments

  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    39-23 Seems a bit brutal if yopu're just starting. How many cogs does the cassette have? It's usually said that a new cassette with larger gogs (maybe 13-28?) Will be the cheapest option, either that or you can get compact chainsets quite cheaply which will also make life easier for you. There's a sticky here which yopu nay find useful:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12583566
    winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
    Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    34x26 or 27 should see you sorted - the three steepest climbs I reckon are Horseblock Hollow, Whitedown Lane and Tanhurst Lane at around 20%
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    Monty Dog wrote:
    34x26 or 27 should see you sorted - the three steepest climbs I reckon are Horseblock Hollow, Whitedown Lane and Tanhurst Lane at around 20%

    I'm a regular Surrey Hills rider and there isn't one there I can't get up comfortably and I have a compact with 12-27. Same gears I use in the Alps although Surrey Hills are mostly short and sharp vs the longer but less gradient Alps climbs.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I've also ridden a circuit of all the major Surrey Hills climbs on 50x17 fixed - but wouldn't recommend it unless you weigh 60 kg and have about 3000 miles in your legs!
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • AndrewDeKerf
    AndrewDeKerf Posts: 15
    Thanks guys this is just what I needed.

    All the best
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I rode my first sportive last year, in the Surrey Hills.
    I had a standard double (53/39) with a 11-23 on the back.
    Nearly fcuking killed me. :shock:
    I've now got a compact on that bike, with 12-25, 12-27 options, I'll never suffer like that again!
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • robmurr2000
    robmurr2000 Posts: 166
    Took part in the spring onion sportive in surrey a couple of weeks ago,no probs with 50/34 and 11-25 compact.
  • Beatmaker
    Beatmaker Posts: 1,092
    robmurr2000 wrote:
    Took part in the spring onion sportive in surrey a couple of weeks ago,no probs with 50/34 and 11-25 compact.

    This is what I use with no problems, did the King of the Downs on this combo and found it perfect.

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