Geared Down
03-20-21 | 10:05 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Encinitas, CA, USA
Bikes: 1990 Concorde Gavina, 1970s Gitane Professional Tour de France, 1970s Peugeot Touring
Geared Down
I always rode a corncob, nearly straight cog - you know, each gear 1 tooth from the last, the largest two maybe an extra tooth apartb. They were a joy to ride, looked right on my racing bikes, and never kept me from ascending the steepest climbs. However, lately, I found I was really dragging behind on hills, behind cycle mates pushing much lower gears. Well, as the old saying goes, I ain't proud! Mind you, I was proud, but at this point, I'm proud to still ride, still hauling Columbus steel and Campy alloy, and if I want the numerical advantage of lower gears, well, I can't hide it, so go ahead and smirk at my new 11-28 cluster. See you at the top!
03-20-21 | 10:19 PM
#2
Me duelen las nalgas
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Yup, since 2015 my steel road bike has gone from the original 7-speed 13-24 freewheel to 13-25 and now 13-28. And the chainrings have gone from 52/42 to 52/39 and now 50/38.
One of my carbon fiber bikes still has the 52/39 and 11-25 setup, but it's much lighter and tolerable on climbs. Otherwise there's little difference. The Centurion Ironman is still generally more comfy.
One of my carbon fiber bikes still has the 52/39 and 11-25 setup, but it's much lighter and tolerable on climbs. Otherwise there's little difference. The Centurion Ironman is still generally more comfy.
03-21-21 | 06:56 AM
#3
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,398
Likes: 1,865
From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Understood. I rode the 1972 Los Angeles Wheelmen Double Century on 54-44/14-24 1.5-step gearing, then used a 50-47/14-16-18-20-23 half-step for flats and swapped in a 42 for 1.5-step gearing for hills.
For a long time I have used 42/26 low gears on my road bikes, but the Capo Modell Campagnolo just got 46-38/13-15-17-19-22-25.
As I have been putting more miles on my mountain bike, I am enjoying having the lower gears (down to 28/28 on 26" tires) available and contemplating going down another 10% on the road bikes, equipment permitting.
For a long time I have used 42/26 low gears on my road bikes, but the Capo Modell Campagnolo just got 46-38/13-15-17-19-22-25.
As I have been putting more miles on my mountain bike, I am enjoying having the lower gears (down to 28/28 on 26" tires) available and contemplating going down another 10% on the road bikes, equipment permitting.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-21-21 | 08:17 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,312
Likes: 9,856
From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Yup, since 2015 my steel road bike has gone from the original 7-speed 13-24 freewheel to 13-25 and now 13-28. And the chainrings have gone from 52/42 to 52/39 and now 50/38.
One of my carbon fiber bikes still has the 52/39 and 11-25 setup, but it's much lighter and tolerable on climbs. Otherwise there's little difference. The Centurion Ironman is still generally more comfy.
One of my carbon fiber bikes still has the 52/39 and 11-25 setup, but it's much lighter and tolerable on climbs. Otherwise there's little difference. The Centurion Ironman is still generally more comfy.
Not to mention my old man legs and knees need all the help they can get these days too. Add me to the gearing down crowd!
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
03-21-21 | 09:14 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 838
From: Newport RI
Bikes: enough one would think, but thinking isn't my strong point
Finishing up the Ochsner and want to put a new 7 speed cassette on it. It's sitting at 13-26 right now but I'm thinking a 13-28 might make it more appealing to others. Pretty sure as I focus on downsizing this bike will be moved on too. Now to just find one in stock somewhere.
Not to mention my old man legs and knees need all the help they can get these days too. Add me to the gearing down crowd!
Not to mention my old man legs and knees need all the help they can get these days too. Add me to the gearing down crowd!
03-21-21 | 09:20 AM
#6
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 1,164
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
I always rode a corncob, nearly straight cog - you know, each gear 1 tooth from the last, the largest two maybe an extra tooth apartb. They were a joy to ride, looked right on my racing bikes, and never kept me from ascending the steepest climbs. However, lately, I found I was really dragging behind on hills, behind cycle mates pushing much lower gears. Well, as the old saying goes, I ain't proud! Mind you, I was proud, but at this point, I'm proud to still ride, still hauling Columbus steel and Campy alloy, and if I want the numerical advantage of lower gears, well, I can't hide it, so go ahead and smirk at my new 11-28 cluster. See you at the top!
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
