Originally Posted by
cale
* I'm not sure I agree with this. There's a point of no return on gearing. When spinning is actually more work than walking. I'd keep the set up light and just grind over those steep grades. Frankly, grinding over grades is about what "racing" (OP's mid-level road bike) bikes were designed to do. Agreed, touring gears offer the ability to haul considerable weight up steep grades but wasn't intended as a road bike alternative. (Not that it couldn't be used that way.)
How much 'lighter' is a double set up versus triple? Hint: not much, if at all, depending on the triple crank. Certainly nowhere near the difference in weight of a heavy guy vs. a skinny cyclist. Touring gearing is useful for those heavier guys, or skinny guys who feel heavy because they've been riding hard all day. Racing? What's that? I just ride my road bikes for the fun of it. The OP didn't mention racing in the least.
Perhaps you may prefer to push a bike up a steep grade, but I'd rather keep pedaling. Easier on the ego if nothing else.
Originally Posted by
cale
* I just don't want you to get hurt. How's the braking in the snow? I always thought, as a boy, that the braking sucked. Haha
Braking is fine. I use studded tires. Hard pack is tons of fun though it gets a little hairy going downhill in deeper snow, but I enjoy the challenge. Helps build bike handling skills
