Originally Posted by
nuke_diver
I just thought of one other thing that is probably best asked here (now that I know the protocol
). I live near coastal mountains and while (because of the knees) I don't go climbing much there are days that I think about it. But it seems my bike is not so well geared for climbing (I have run into hills that I am standing on the pedals and am not moving up at all in the lowest gear). Is this likely due to age of the chain etc or just that I don't have good gear ratios and would it be worth looking into changing that if it is possible on my bike?
Thanks again
Your bike probably has a standard road double, most likely a 53 or 52 tooth big chainring and a 42 tooth small chainring. Consider changing to a compact double, with perhaps a wider range cassette or freewheel in the back. You will have big jumps between gears, but your knees will appreciate it on the climbs. This is where modern stomps all over vintage. 9 or 10 speed cassette with a 28 to 32 tooth climbing gear, and compact double chainring or triple, with modern shifters are far easier on the knees (and back) than the old 5 or 6 speed with old school downtube shifters.