Utility Cycling - sufficient low gear for hauling stuff

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Sifu
08-12-08, 07:34 PM
Is a low gear of about 22" going to be okay on the Big Dummy I'm building? I haven't cycled for years, and have no idea what I used to ride. I'll usually be hauling 100-130 additional pounds around town. I probably won't tackle really steep hills with more than 70 additional pounds or so.

I've read lots of discussion about the desirability of having a low around 17-18", and then some "old timer" pipes up about how he used to ride everywhere with only a 20" low, and how that made him a real man, and so on. :)

Well?

AllenG
08-12-08, 07:53 PM
100-130 lbs. is a big load. 18 inches could be of great use.
StephenH
08-12-08, 08:19 PM
I think the #1 question is "What kind of hills do you have?" Here in my neighborhood, hills are pretty minimal, and i can get all over with a single speed of whatever. But I can go a few miles from here, and it's different, and you can get in some of these cities where mountain goats would be at home, and that's different.

Can you maybe borrow a mountain bike and trailer and try toting some loads where you're going to go?

surfimp
08-12-08, 10:02 PM
There's a few pretty steep hills in my town, and one down the end of my street is a good 20% grade, if not more. I can get up it at a fast walking pace towing both my boys in their trailer (say 100+ lbs.) on my Xtracycle in its lowest gear. My Xtra donor is an old Kona Lava Dome with low-end seven speed Exage 500 drivetrain... 46/38/24 triple and 11-30 cassette.

According to Sheldon's gear calculator my lowest gear (24x30) is around 20.9". I am by no means some super-cyclist, but I do ride every day and I use my bikes instead of my car for about 99% of my needs... I guess that helps, but mainly I think it's a question of determination :)

IMHO, for a cargo bike it's better to have low gears than high gears. I don't personally enjoy going overly fast when I got a heavy and/or precious load aboard...

Steve