Originally Posted by
dmcdmc
Hey all,
I just just picked up a new bike with a 53/39 ring up front and 11-26 cassette in back. Looking to make some ratio changes because I'm coming from a Triple 30/42/52 with a 8 speed 12-26 in back. I don't need to hit those really low ratios but I do spend more time spinning up hills than I do mashing at 35+mph.
no one can really tell you what you 'want', they can only tell you what might work for them...
you need to decide which gears you want/need
use this
very nice visual gear calculator to enter both your old triple and any new variations you might be considering. Comparing the gear charts to each other - based on old to new - will let you know if you're gonna get gears which you think you want/need for the way you ride.
The greyed gears are available, but not recommended because of cross-chaining...
Sheldon Brown's gear calculator does the same thing, only not as nifty drag&drop and visual...