Granny Gear question

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07-09-11 | 04:11 AM

#51

ClemY

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 571

Likes: 1

From: Maryland

Bikes: Hollands Touring Bike, Schwinn mountain bike, folding bike, tandem and triple

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Smokester

I don't accept the premise that higher gears are a free ticket to climbing faster. I haves noticed, surprisingly, that I climb at about the same rate within a gear or two. What's not surprising is that it takes the same amount of power to climb at the same rate regardless of gearing. The difference is in the pressure on the knees.

There are two limits to consider: Your cardiovascular system's ability to output power; and The maximum torque your legs can repeatedly impress on the cranks.

Give the 24 a go. It is equivalnet to about one gear lower than you have now. Get the 22 if you can.

That is why I like a 20. At my age, weight and medical condition, I prefer to keep my knees working at a slightly higher cadence to help avoid knee problems.

07-09-11 | 11:05 AM

#52

OldZephyr

Senior Member

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 321

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From: Northern Minnesota

Bikes: 1985 Trek 720, 2010 CAAD9-6, mid-90s Trek 750 hybrid (winter bike)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dilberto

Bacciagalupe nailed it square on the head. Not only do you work LESS on the 20t granny....but you work much LONGER - amen. I have used a 20t granny for two years' scaling the steepest hills(18-22% grade) on my MTB and I'll be honest, I can easily hike faster than that! Going to 20t is counter-productive, because your comfort level suddenly skyrockets and you become SLOWER....which is the straight-up cost of that comfort.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people like speed. Some people work hard at getting themselves in superb shape. That's great.

For me, I don't have the inclination, so I like lower gearing. Yes, I'm going slower than Dilberto and Bacigulape. But I'm out there and I'm enjoying myself.

I believe (but I have no way to "prove it" other than anecdotally) that more people are turned off from cycling or touring by bikes that, for them, are geared too high rather than bikes that have a low low. That's why I urge people to set up their bikes with a low low.

Last edited by OldZephyr; 07-09-11 at 11:24 AM. Reason: clarification