Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
What kind of gearing are you capable of pushing up those mountains? The answer to your question has to start there. You mentioned using a 36 cassette before, but unless I missed it, you didn't mention what you used up front. It sounds like you are getting back into cycling. COVID has inventories thin and prices high. So you not only have to identify what bikes might work, you have to find them in stock, in your size. Are you in the UK?
I had a 10 speed 11-36 cassette (original was 12-28) with a 34/50 chain rings which if I've calculated correctly is 26 gear inches on the low end, and 120 on the high end. That was enough, though it would also be nice to have more. Shimano has a 11-40t cassette, fitting probably wouldn't be easy though. I already had to put a long arm derailleur on last time.
I won't be in the UK but have easy access to the UK market so can stick a bike in my luggage, though it would save me some hassle buying from in the EU.