how low is your low?
08-05-08, 08:44 AM
#26
Senior Member
This question has a lot of variables; how fit are you, the topology and how much weight you're carrying immediately come to mind. However, I think a gear range between 20" and 100" will cover most circumstances. Lower than 20" and you may as well push the bike and 100" is only useful to most tourists on descents. So I've set my bike up with a 42/26 double and an 11/34 cassette giving me 103" to 21". After riding this for a while I've found that I rarely use the 103" gear so when I need a new cassette I'll go with a 12/34 giving me 95" to 21".
The lowest gear that is possible with standard components is a 20/34 which would give 15" on a 26 inch wheeled bike and 16" on a 622mm wheel. If you did it on a Bike Friday with 20" wheels it would give you 12", which is too low to be useful.
The lowest gear that is possible with standard components is a 20/34 which would give 15" on a 26 inch wheeled bike and 16" on a 622mm wheel. If you did it on a Bike Friday with 20" wheels it would give you 12", which is too low to be useful.
08-06-08, 06:31 PM
#27
making it happen
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From Leh (3,500m) in the Indian Himalayas, north into the Nubra Valley, crossing the highest motorable road in the world - the Khardung La Pass (5,640m). The closer it comes, the more daunted I am by it!
It's actually the first day of cycling - the four days prior to that will be nothing but acclimatization. Never been that high before, but it seems that there's no way to predict any individual's susceptibility to altitude sickness. We'll see how it goes. After a few days in the Nubra Valley, we turn round and head (back over the same pass!) south again to Manali, over a few more 5,000m passes. Might arrange for a truck to take up back over the Khardung La on the return journey...
It's actually the first day of cycling - the four days prior to that will be nothing but acclimatization. Never been that high before, but it seems that there's no way to predict any individual's susceptibility to altitude sickness. We'll see how it goes. After a few days in the Nubra Valley, we turn round and head (back over the same pass!) south again to Manali, over a few more 5,000m passes. Might arrange for a truck to take up back over the Khardung La on the return journey...
That said, Ladakh (and Manali, HP) are fantastic places to visit. And finding a truck driver who is willing to carry you over a pass will be easy.
08-07-08, 08:56 PM
#29
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Scott
08-07-08, 09:31 PM
#30
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gearing up for my first tour in two weeks. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to "train" as much as I was planning to so now I'm getting kind of nervous. My lowest gear is 26x32 which according to Sheldon's calculator is a 22" gear. Does that sound low enough or should I pop a 24" ring on my triple instead of the 26" ring and give myself something closer to 20"? any thoughts?
08-07-08, 10:06 PM
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08-08-08, 05:31 PM
#32
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Hills in Ma
I ride through worcester county quite often, usually 50 or 60 miles in a day. I have found that there are very few painfully steep long climbs: mile hill road in Princeton, Jacobs Ladder in Royalston, Dead Horse Hill, Airport hill, & Belmont Hill in Worcester, Leland hill in Sutton, though they are around, the brutal ones are sporadically spaced. The problem with mass is that its ALL hills. Every town is built on the high ground, and unless you plan really carefully you'll be climbing and climbing and climbing - well half the time anyway.
I run a 28/32 which is adequate. I wish I was in better shape because it would be absolutely fine rather than occasionally painful.
I run a 28/32 which is adequate. I wish I was in better shape because it would be absolutely fine rather than occasionally painful.
08-09-08, 06:31 PM
#33
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on my trek 520 touring rig i have a 22/34 - i think thats between 17 and 18 gear inches and works fine under load. ALMOST, but not too low.
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2009 Custom TI Frame Road Bike, all 2007 Campy Record, Campy Euros Wheelset
2009 Custom TI Frame touring Bike. S&S couplers, XTR Drivetrain. LOW granny.
2009 Performance Bicycles TI (by Lynsky) road frame, 7900 DA, 7950 DA Compact Crank, Light Niobium Rim Wheels
08-09-08, 08:34 PM
#34
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Ditto for me, and I use it.
The tandem has a low of 18/34, but with it I do loaded self-contained touring with two children. Hills are tough when the bike weighs more than 200 lb and I'm the only adult pedalling (the two children are doing a great job, but strength isn't there yet.
The tandem has a low of 18/34, but with it I do loaded self-contained touring with two children. Hills are tough when the bike weighs more than 200 lb and I'm the only adult pedalling (the two children are doing a great job, but strength isn't there yet.
08-11-08, 08:52 AM
#35
BenTourin
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crank arm length
don't forget that length of your crankarms affect your effort. Mine are 65mm from mountain bike.
08-11-08, 04:08 PM
#36
The Rock Cycle
22x34 on 26" wheels, and I was glad to have it on Red Mountain Pass on my way to Silverton, CO last week! My 44x12 top end was plenty on the descent.
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