Bicycle Mechanics - 12 x 32 Heaven

I have just completed my dream bike meself.I live in a hilly area and I always wanted a real low geared bike.I bought a Motobecane Mirage that came with a 48/38/28 and a 11-28.Great gearing and I seldom need the 3rd ring.But I can't ride to often and I like to tour a couple days on vacations so I wanted a little more.First I called tech at Nashbar to check about a cassette.They told me my Sora would only handle 29 teeth and suggested a 26 tooth chainring,which they didn't sell.I needed my rear wheel trued anyhow so I took it to a shop and tried to buy a 26 ring while I was there.I have a Suntour triple and parts are hard to get in the US.Oddball size.No 26 for me.They suggested a mountainbike derailleur and looked in the book and said they make a 11-30 for my 8 speed.Well goofing around one night on the computor I thought I'd look up how much this would cost.Looked up deraileurs at Nashbar.My Sora was in there.Clicked on 'more info',triples come with a long cage!Ordered a 12 x 32 cassette for $20 bucks from performance.Slapped that puppy on with my Nashbar Big Tool Kit.Walla,works like a champ and never had to touch a adjustment screw!Got to use some tools I never used before and got my dream gearing.Pays to look into something yourself.Mt Tabor here I come in October.Yaooooo

I know what you mean, I've spent the last 5 years riding a bike with a 39 - 53 front and a 12 - 27 rear, I built a new touring bike for this year with a 30 - 39 - 53 Dura-Ace front and a 12 - 34 XTR rear and I like it, I like it a lot

My 'cross bike has 38/48 up front and a 12-25 cassette. I really love the gearing. There is absolutely nothing I can't handle with the 38x25, though I sometimes think I'd like to down-gear one more to have a 36x26 for those times when my legs just don't have it. The problem there, though, is that, while I almost never use the 53x11 on my road bike [except when attacking on a descent -- wee! lookit me whizz by at 80 km/h!], I do use 48x12 in a level sprint; and to get a 26 in a stock cassette, I'd have to go to a 13-26.

On the other hand, 36x25 wouldn't be too bad... so there may be a new chainring in my future.

For me I would prefer a 39x21 that's good enough for me, if I use any more teeth on my cogset my son who is going back to competitive cycling would laugh at me, and you know about that kind of relationship the dad being the hero image nothing can go wrong with "dad"

Hi All,
I have always wondered why they put 52 or 53 front rings on road bikes. Fine if you are a big time cat racer but for most of us too big except as pointed out for downhills. I replaced my 52 with a 48 and find it a great improvement. Allows me to keep up a good spin. I see so many roadies that ride in the 52 or 53 and they are really having to push. Better to put on a chainring that will let you keep up a good spin.

Ride safe...Dudley

Originally posted by Bikinguy
Hi All,
I have always wondered why they put 52 or 53 front rings on road bikes. Fine if you are a big time cat racer but for most of us too big except as pointed out for downhills. I replaced my 52 with a 48 and find it a great improvement. Allows me to keep up a good spin. I see so many roadies that ride in the 52 or 53 and they are really having to push. Better to put on a chainring that will let you keep up a good spin.

Ride safe...Dudley

I'm with you. My everday bike had 52-42, but I changed eventually to a 48-36, coupled with a 14-28 rear. That copes with everything and on my commute I normally spin 48-16 or 48-18.

My summer bike has 52-42 and commuting on it I find I'm PUSHING 52 - 21 most of the time.

I had thought of a triple, but I think careful choice of double ratios is the way to go

Originally posted by orguasch
For me I would prefer a 39x21 that's good enough for me, Do they make a 39 x 21? I don't think I've seen one. Wish I had you peoples legs.I don't think I ever will with the small amount of riding time I get.I pretty much stay in my 38 ring.48 for going down hills and BIG tailwinds. I try to look at the gears the pros use on mountain climbs and I am amazed. I finally caught the replay of the Tour stage where Lance used 1 downtube shifter.I don't know why he did but it was cool.