Gearing question

ilovegrace
ilovegrace Posts: 677
edited March 2013 in Road general
I am using a Giant Tcx 2 cyclocross bike at the moment with a 12 - 30 cassette.
Thinking about getting either a Giant defy 1 or a Felt Z85 on the Cycle to work.
My question is this.the Giant has 12 - 28 and the felt 12 30 I regularly commute on some fairly severe hills and the infamous Rosedale chimney bank is a is ride I do in the summer.
I can manage Rosedale on my CX bike in the 30 ring will the Giant defy been lighter, and a road bike, be the same effort or harder or would the Felt be a better bet.
I love the hills and there are plenty of then where I live and I do not want to buy a new bike to be geared out of the climbs.
PS
I am waiting for the man up and get fitter replies.
Look forward to any comments.
regards
ILG

Comments

  • elderone
    elderone Posts: 1,410
    Most will say a 28 is fine,but like you I like a 30 so changed to one.Maybe if you really like the defy you can change to a 30.Some one with more knowledge can tell you that.Personally I wouldn,t compromise and stick with what i
    know and what I like.
    As for mtfu coments,take no notice.
    Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    Does the TCX have a 50/34 chainset on it?

    Test both, buy the one you like the best. If it's the Giant, pop a Tiagra 12-30 cassette on it for about £25, job done.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • declan1
    declan1 Posts: 2,470
    MTFU.



    :P

    I had, until recently, a 12-32 on my road bike, in an attempt to slow myself down on hills as I wanted to enjoy them a bit more. It didn't work so I'm back on my 11-23. Standard chainset as well so I have to be out of the saddle on most climbs. It hurts quite a bit, but it really improves my climbing! If you've got a fairly light, stiff bike, higher gears should be much easier than mine as well.

    Road - Dolan Preffisio
    MTB - On-One Inbred

    I have no idea what's going on here.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Anything with a compact will get you up the chimney unless your severely overweight or/and badly unfit. The bike shouldnt matter.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • ilovegrace
    ilovegrace Posts: 677
    Just finished decorating so no time to post a reply untill now.
    Think i will stick with the 12-30 option .
    The TCX has a compact and as I say with the 12 - 30 I can manage every hill including chimney in my area.
    I am 51 and a relative new comer to cycling ,out of interest what gear combination would be classed as very fit for my age to climb chimney ?
    This will give me something to aim at this summer.

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