Originally Posted by
Sharpshin
That's the plan.
Currently I'm running a 44-32-22 crankset on an 11-34 8-speed cassette. Good for 17 gear inches.
Yet, in NY there were a number of hills that whupped me.
Worse, from what I have read the UK/Ireland abounds in 10-20% grades.
I have a 9 speed 12-36 cassette on hand, and a 20 tooth granny inbound.
IF I can operate a nine speed cassette off of my ol' downtube friction shifters I'm looking at 15 gear inches
I'm not sure anyone pedals up 20% grades but I do believe with 15 gear inches, I coulda not walked at all in NY State.
Mike
A 1:1 (a little over 26") is about as low a gear as most would ever need on a road bike. There could be some use for a lower gear on an offroad bike but 15 inches... at 90 rpm that would be a lot of furious effort for just ~4 mph.