32t v 34t vs 36t

DCR00

Afternoon all

Since ive now moved to 1x9 im looking at getting a decent single ring up front. Pretty much made my mind up on a Renthal SR4. However, do i move to 34T or 36T ?

Current ring size is 32T, but i am changing my cassette from a 11/34 to a 11/32, so should i go for a 34T or a 36T ? how much diff would i notice ?

Riding wise, 90% of my time is flat trail, so a narrower gear selection is fine, but i dont want to dive onto a 36T for it to be markedly different from what i have just now

cheers

DCR

njee20

Why are you going for the narrower cassette?

36/32 is a fairly tall bottom gear, I'd stick with 32t if you find that high enough, or 34 if not. But then I wouldn't swap to a closer range block myself.

Northwind

32 to 36 is a pretty big jump... I know I'd struggle with it but then I need mine to go up mountains occasionally.You can test it out though, just find an equivalent ratio then stop using anything lower.

thel33ter

I like a 32t, wouldn't want anything bigger.

njee20

Whilst Ive just gone to a 36 and find it good, would spin out 32.

Northwind

Yeah, that's the tradeoff. But I'd sooner have a 32T and spin out on the descents, than a 36T and die on the climbs

thel33ter

Northwind wrote:

Yeah, that's the tradeoff. But I'd sooner have a 32T and spin out on the descents, than a 36T and die on the climbs

That's my thinking, and with an 11t at the back, and being very light, I don't ever really spin out.

njee20

Horses for courses really, I'd spin out a 32, and don't struggle with a 36 on the climbs (so far at least...), but then I'm reasonably fit and on a light XC bike. I did 4 hour rides around the Surrey Hills without leaving the 42 previously!

thel33ter

njee20 wrote:

Horses for courses really, I'd spin out a 32, and don't struggle with a 36 on the climbs (so far at least...), but then I'm reasonably fit and on a light XC bike. I did 4 hour rides around the Surrey Hills without leaving the 42 previously!

It's easy going around the hills, it's going up them that is hard

Seriously though, I need my 22t to get my Enduro up most of the stuff in SH, so good going

njee20

Different bike though, mine's probably 50% lighter! I've not used a 22t in 5 years!

phz

I run an 11-34 on a heavy-ish (29/30lb) HT - used to run a 36T up front but recently switched to a 34T - gives me a little but extra on the ups for not much loss at the top end.

slainte rob

ll_sharpy

I had a similar dilemma recently. Would I spin out on a 32 if its all I had? Would 34 make much of a difference? Would a 36+ be too much on the ups? Well I settled for a 34 paired with a 11/34 and so far it appears to have been a great choice. I'll update you again after a season of riding though!

I also went for a Renthal ring and my, what a beautiful piece of engineering it is. I was that excited when I received it I went around the office at work showing it off. Beautifully made, feather light and so strong.

(I was that impressed I then bought a Renthal fatbar - again I was stoked)

thel33ter

njee20 wrote:

Different bike though, mine's probably 50% lighter! I've not used a 22t in 5 years!

Oi! Don't be evil to my bike, it's closer to a third rather than a half

.blitz

32-32 on the Chucker can just about get round Cannock's switchbacks but it's not easy. Surprising how many people are twiddling up in much lower gears I guess their knees will last longer than mine.

Wouldn't dream of going to a 34 or a 36 on the front.

njee20

Oi! Don't be evil to my bike, it's closer to a third rather than a half

I was thinking yours is 50% heavier, but wrote mine is 50% lighter, I was thinking 30lbs vs 20lbs, a 40lb Enduro would be a proper beast!