Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
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From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Originally Posted by
tatfiend
What is your current rear sprocket size?
As noted a lot cheaper to change it than the chainring. The old rule of thumb for IGH bikes was to not go lower than 2:1 input ratio and that was the Sturmey Archer recommendation. The Shimano 8 speed hubs are apparently strong enough so you can go a bit lower if desired.
Just brought it home from the shop and am now running 39 X 22. That gives me a low gear of about 25 inches and a high near 90. That should fit my terrain fairly well. Had never heard about the 2:1 thing.
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