Angliru Vuelta 2011

mrman mrman

Hello

Whilst watching the Angliru climb in last years Vuelta I thought I noticed some big cogs on the leaders' bikes. I have just found this article http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/09/vuelta-a-espana/vuelta-tech-gear-ratios-critical-up-the-angliru_191093 which says that Cobo, Wiggisn and Froome all rode with a 32 tooth cog. As far as I know only SRAM make a rear derailleur that is designed for this gear so how did/do team mechanics get round this? Also, how common is it for top riders in grand tours to use a compact these days?

Thanks

jgsi

Shimano/SRAM equipment on their bikes presumably?

mroli

I think that rear MTB mechs were used to give allow for the larger rear cogs....