22T on 3*9 v 26T on 2 * 10

Vally7

Hi,

I'm thinking of going from 3x9 to 2x10. This would mean going from a 22t to a 26t small ring. Does anyone know what the smallest equivalent gear would be like based on my current 3x9 setup.


I'm slightly worried that I might lose a bit too much for very steep climbs. Would this be like 3rd gear on my smallest ring?

Cheers

Vally

twonks

Depends what your rear cassette is.

I went from 8sp 11-30 to 10sp 11 to 36 and the difference between a 22t granny and my new 26t is around .6 inches per pedal revolution - ie nothing.

Have a look at the below gear table and work it out.

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/g ... ble26.html

edit. Only depends if your changing the cassette as well of course.
If not then the table will tell you all.

Frodo1095

Running 3 x 9 with a 22t granny on the front and an 11 - 34 cassette
vs
2 x 10 with a 26t up front and 36t lowest gear on the back

The 3 x 9 will have the lowest gear but not by much, the 26/36 of the 2 x10 sits between the 2 lowest gears of your standard 11 - 34 cassette with a 22t up front.

22 - 34 - gain ratio 1.2, gear inches 16.8 (22 - 30 - gain ratio 1.4, gear inches 19.0)
26 - 36 - gain ratio 1.4, gear inches 18.7
This is based on a 175mm crank arm length.

I recently switched to 2x10 and havent missed the lowest gear one bit, have even set up a 1x10 rig now as well on my hardtail.

3x9 = 27 gears but at least 4 are usually the same, meaning only 23 distinct gears with 2 x 10 all the gears are different so you have 20 usuable gears, you generally loose very top 2 gears and the lowest gear.

njee20

As above, depends if you actually use the absolute lowest gear. IMO you've got so little momentum it's useless anyway!

Tank-slapper

njee20 wrote:

As above, depends if you actually use the absolute lowest gear. IMO you've got so little momentum it's useless anyway!

Yes, I ditched my 22t granny for a 26t and have never looked back. Loss of traction is also a problem with such a low gear.

Vally7

Thanks all - great replies

supersonic

I use the lowest gear regularly, good to just spin away up long, steep hills.