Originally Posted by
Hinge
I think your gearing is larger than the X20. As far as I know, the X20's largest gear is 55/11.
I have a heavily modified P18 (w/ 20 speeds)
I do a fair amount of riding with fairly decent riders on full size CF bikes w/ 700c wheels. On flats and hills I'm right there with them and often ahead of them on hills. However, on descents, I don't have a chance. It's simply impossible to keep up. They lose me every time.
I agree that it largely comes down to gearing. My largest chainring is 56 and smallest cog is 11.
Ah, I was thinking that the X20 used the Capreo hub design to fit a 9t cog.
Even if a 20"er has the same gearing as a 700c, in any given gear pedaled at the same RPM, 700c will travel a greater distance, so a 20er needs even more gear range than a 700c bike to keep up. Outside of one-off record attempt small wheelers, I've never seen a 20" with gearing to match a 700c's capability.