Originally Posted by
Fastfwd01
I’m a new cyclist and just got a road bike in August – 11 speed with 11-32. I have frankly really not paid a lot of attention to the gears, but this chart is really helpful. I’m in a super flat area – so, this thread caught my attention.
Since seeing this chart I’ve been trying to pay more attention to what gears I’m using. I seem to notice that I’m getting stuck on my 16 a lot and have a tough time pulling the 14. So, I end up stagnated around 22mph without a tailwind. I rarely use my 34 up front unless I’m crossing an overpass possibly for whatever that’s worth.
Is it a matter of me needing my strength to increase to break over the hump of 22mph or would I benefit from a different cog set? Maybe the 12-25?
Make note of the easiest gear that you ever use, on your toughest section of road (front chainring combined with rear cog). Perhaps it's a 34 front and 23 rear. So, your next cassette could have a 23 for largest cog, or more common 25 "just in case". Then you will have smaller steps between gears. Since you're in a super flat area, you won't be going downhill at 50 mph, so might be better of with a 12 small instead of 11.