Cyclocross - 1x9 setup
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what is your front ring size...i am lookin to go to a 1x9 setup and i am not sure what size ring to put up front...i will use this bike for more than cross..it will also be my commuter and i live in pittsburgh which is pretty hilly...so i low enough gear to climb but i also dont want to spin out too fast when crusin..
dwr1961
04-11-09, 10:04 PM
I'd recommend a 42 or 44 up front with a 12-27 cassette.
Fat Boy
04-12-09, 01:39 AM
A 39 is fine unless you expect to spend a bunch of time over 30 mph.
martianone
04-12-09, 08:24 AM
Have used a 34, 36, 40 and 44 with 11-34 cassette for my various 1x9 set ups.
IMHO the 36 is a good balance, I too live in a hilly area.
My latest is a 36-
I use an 11/32 with a 42 up front.
I run a 42x18 single-speed. I don't have any trouble with climbs (except in Frick, ha). I can't imagine going any smaller, especially with a 9-speed's range. With a 12 cog you'd spin out around 40mi/h.
Barrettscv
04-12-09, 02:08 PM
I run a 44t with a 12-25 10 speed cassette. I live in Chicago, no hills to speak of.
I suggest using this tool to calculate you range: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ . It will provide speeds for each combination once you enter the required info. If you don't know your cadence, use 90 rpm under "gain ratios."
Michael
42T spot up front with a 11-28 in the back. I might go down to a 39 this year though...
pwdeegan
04-17-09, 08:01 PM
i guess i'm just ratifying everyone else's experience: when it was just me, i got by on a 11-34 x 48; now with a 50# trailer i can just get by with a 11-34 x 40 (a 38 or 36 would probably by comfier on the steepest slopes). i run a Surly SS chainring up front, which erases all issues of chain suck from chainline problems (i also had problems with masterlink chains, but YMMV). we've also got nice hills here; from the lake to where i live is a 660ft climb over 1.5 miles with some 8-10° slopes; it's not the Alps, but it separates the dedicated bikers from the lycra pirates.