Gearing Question for steep climbing
I'm riding in a race w/ 12% average grade later this summer and I'm trying to dial in my gearing setup.
I'm currently running the following:
Dura-Ace components on a 9-speed
12-27 Cassette
53/39 Chainrings
It's my understanding through lots of discussion with folks that I'll need closer to a 1:1 ratio in my lowest gear. Obviously, the 39/27 ratio isn't going to cut it. I'm very aware that I could go to a compact crankset but I've only found that this gets me to a 50/34 chainring or a 34/27 ratio.
Since this is a once-a-year race, I don't want to drop lots of cash on a fancy setup that gets me to this ratio.
I've heard some creative thoughts around putting a mountain bike cassette on...not sure how to identify MB cassettes that fit a road hub. I've heard ideas about finding a creative way to put a small chainring on my current crankset. But with that bolt pattern it seems I would have to find a different crankset.
How do I get myself to a 34/32 (closest to ideal) or 34/29 (not-as-ideal) ratio without throwing on a triple?