Beallach na Ba gearing

ADProadconvert

I've started road cycling in the last couple of years after MTB for 20+ years.

I've just ridden the Beallach na Ba on a 50-39 12-27 gearing. My cadence was very slow on the final rise to the hairpins but I could JUST keep riding, would switching to a 11-28 just make it easier or would it also make me faster?

Many thanks for your help...

markhewitt1978

If you were really struggling to pedal then yes. However 1 tooth won't make much difference. Why not 12-30?

ADProadconvert

would I not need a longer cage derailleur for 12-30 or would I get away with my regular 105?

unixnerd

I believe the current 105 will take a 30 tooth, older ones won't.

Bigger problem is your unusual 50/39 cranks. Normally you see 53/39 or 50/34, I've near heard of a 50/39. In any event I think an 11-28 would be preferable to a 12-27 as you'll cover a wider range a both ends with little down side.

ADProadconvert

Apologies... Typo 53-39 was intended chainring size...

Dmak

Here's a simple spreadsheet I made for gears.

Just edit the chain wheel and cog counts to figure out what you would like.

Link.

If it opens with the web app, click 'file' then 'save as' to download.

Kieran_Burns

In answer the original question: on the Notts sportive a couple of months back, there's this nasty little hill near the end where I dropped to the granny ring on my Madone (I can hear the wails now...) and went spinning past everyone mashing up the hill on their compact and road chainsets.

I am spinning more at the moment though, in an attempt to preserve my right knee that just keeps giving out at about 70 odd miles...

unixnerd

I am spinning more at the moment though, in an attempt to preserve my right knee that just keeps giving out at about 70 odd miles...

From one Burns to another you have my sympathy, nothing more annoying than being fit and having knees stop play. I moved my saddle forwards a bit and it worked wonders for mine.

Kieran_Burns

Done that

Didn't work

I wish I *was* fit...

markhewitt1978

Kieran_Burns wrote:

In answer the original question: on the Notts sportive a couple of months back, there's this nasty little hill near the end where I dropped to the granny ring on my Madone (I can hear the wails now...) and went spinning past everyone mashing up the hill on their compact and road chainsets.

I am spinning more at the moment though, in an attempt to preserve my right knee that just keeps giving out at about 70 odd miles...

Well your bike has a little ring for a reason.