Gears for Pyrenees

domcarr
domcarr Posts: 85
edited April 2013 in Workshop
We're off the Pyrenees in a few weeks and my wife is worried that the gear ratio on her Boardman won’t be easy enough for some of the climbs. It runs an 11/32T cassette with a compact 50/34T chainset. My preference would be leave the chainset as is, so can anyone recommend a cassette that might help?!? (NB: I would change the chainset as a last resort I guess).

Thanks

Comments

  • defycomp2
    defycomp2 Posts: 252
    You could go for 11-34 or 11-36 but you will need a MTB rear mech and very probably a new chain as well. So start looking at about £120ish as an upgrade of all 3 items.
    Summer - Giant Defy Composite 2 (Force 22) (retd)
    Cannondale Synapse Sram Red ETap
    Winter - Boardman CX Team (Rival X1 Hyd)
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    There's nothing steeper than 10-12% on the main route across the Pyrenees, so the issue isn't really steepness or super-low gearing, it's simple fitness. The climbs are steady but long. Obviously, any comment about the suitability of a particular gearing can always be brought back to a general comment on fitness but if she struggling on a 10% hill on 34-32 then she's in for a tough time.

    Having said that, the Apex mech may take a 11-34 cassette and you could pinch a tooth by fitting a 33t ring.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    DefyComp2 wrote:
    You could go for 11-34 or 11-36 but you will need a MTB rear mech and very probably a new chain as well. So start looking at about £120ish as an upgrade of all 3 items.

    Would probably be cheaper sticking a triple on it if you are gonna do that.
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    If You are thinking of riding the Pyrenees the 34/32 is easily enough. Lower gearing will just mean it takes you forever to climb the mountain and suggests one is not "fit" enough to enjoy the Pyrenees.
  • robbo2011
    robbo2011 Posts: 1,017
    I don't think there is a great deal of difference between a 32 and 34 low end gear. The 32 should be fine I would have thought, it's a very low gear.

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