Anogar

Can't wait to get it dirty.

It's a custom build, with some funny mismatches (most noticeable are the two cranks), but it rides beautifully.

i86o

what gearing?

lookin sharp

Anogar

Thanks.

It's a single compact 34 chainring and a 9 speed 11-23 cassette. I'm running 700 x 32 tires and 175mm cranks.

jonestr

Are you racing that gearing?

crushkilldstroy

I was wondering the same thing. I could only really see using that gearing on rougher trails that a CX bike generally wouldn't cooperate with.

Anogar

I bought it with this gearing, and I'm actually enjoying the gearing thus far, but I've only done a couple of test rides. Now, assuming that you wanted to stay with a single ring setup, wouldn't the 11-23 actually be better for less intense (i.e. less hilly and crappy) terrain as compared to something like the 11-34?

You basically have less range for really steep hills or whatever, so you need to either be on flatter terrain or be a total beast. (Which I'm not.) The 34 is way easier for hills, right? (I'm a total gearing noob.)

jonestr

The top end, 34x11 is really small. If you are just cruising then it is probably fine. most racers on a single ring use something like a 42 with a 11-25 or 11-27. If you need a lower gear than that then you are probably better off running.

Anogar

Edit: I don't understand. This seems like a fairly easy gearing. 11x34 is only 80ish gear inches, which is kind of slow for flats when compared to the 100s that a 42x11 would see. A 42 with a 11-27 would be just larger jumps between gears, with more speed at the top, and similar ease in climbing.

Edit 2: Wait, am I reversing this? Is 100 gear inches easy for climbing, and 20 gear inches for sprinting or downhills?

jonestr

100 gear inches is for top end, DH, sprints etc, and 20 gear inches is for climbing, sand etc...

Bottom line is that front ring with an 11t cog would suck for racing.

Anogar

Thanks for clearing that up, I was getting all turned around. I suspect the guy that built this was planning on racing in the Seattle circuit, which is ALL mud. I mean, it's Seattle in the winter, it's gonna be wet and muddy.

I might go for something like a 42 with a 12-27 cassette for some commuting and dry weather flexibility as well -- do you think that'd be better?

Barrettscv 

Read this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html

And use this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html

A 42t would be a good match with your existing cluster IMO.

BTW, very nice bike .

Michael

Anogar

Alrighty, I swapped out both the chainring and the cassette, and now I'm running an FSA 110mm 41t up front and a Shimano Ultegra 9 speed 12-27 cassette. Much better, I can really feel the difference on flats and downhills; the speed is noticible for sure.

Thanks for the advice, all!

rOOster14

what size is that?
looks real good.

Anogar

Thanks! Well, Ellsworth calls it a 56cm, but it measures over 59cm from BB to the top of the seat tube. The top tube is fairly long too, so it fits me well. I'm 6' 3" or so.

jonestr

how long is the top tube...also, you had a 41t ring laying around, that seems like an obscure size, but it sounds like it will get the job done.

Anogar

The top tube is about 58.5cm or so. It definitely is a 'large' frame, putting it next to my 60cm Trek roadie makes the Trek look small. (Part of it is the higher clearance since it's cross geometry, but it's an oddly measured and large frame.)

And yeah, 41t is a weird size. It's brand new ring, a stock size that FSA produces, and it fits great, but I agree that it's a little odd. 42t is way more common, but they're so close that I figured it wouldn't matter. Heh, I also am hoping that the 41t will be a little easier on my out of practice body, since I haven't ridden a ton lately. I need help with steep climbs.