Gearing Geekiness for Folding (20") Bikes
09-28-06, 12:23 PM
#26
too many bikes
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 662
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The best current answer to granularity is a triple 10 and a corncob cassette, but an 11-21 doesn't provide the low end for extended, steep, loaded climbs even with the granny ring, so you end up with a triple 11/34 and over 50% overlap AND a loss of granularity. The key is selecting the small cogs since, IMO, that's where close ratios help the most, e.g., headwinds, crosswinds, fatigue, slight uphill, poor road surface, etc.
09-28-06, 01:59 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 1,998
Bikes: Univega Gran Turismo, Guerciotti, Bridgestone MB2, Bike Friday New World Tourist, Serotta Ti
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe
Curiouser and curiouser. 
I guess that due to changing conditions during any ride -- wind, incline etc. there won't be the One True Gear that hits my output.
I guess that due to changing conditions during any ride -- wind, incline etc. there won't be the One True Gear that hits my output.Unfortunately with a single chainring, you have to compromise between the range of gears and the gear granularity.
I think some of the Swift posters have described ways that they added front derailleurs. With multiple chainrings you get the extended range from the front, and you can keep the granularity on the back fine. A 53/39 crank with an 11/28 9 speed cassette is a great combo for 20 inch wheels.
Speedo
09-28-06, 02:52 PM
#28
Professional Fuss-Budget
Thread Starter
It's all coming together now.
Yeah, I think I'm going to end up passing on that, though. I prefer the simplicity of the single and the lower gearing on the new cassette, even if it's at the cost of a minor inefficiency.
It seems like the only time the wide gear spread on the single chainring will really be an issue is on club rides, where I'm also having issues with handling anyway. I'll just pick up a 700c road bike with a compact double for that purpose one of these days.
Originally Posted by Speedo
I think some of the Swift posters have described ways that they added front derailleurs....
It seems like the only time the wide gear spread on the single chainring will really be an issue is on club rides, where I'm also having issues with handling anyway. I'll just pick up a 700c road bike with a compact double for that purpose one of these days.
