preferred-google-button
log in
register

ChainSet, Cassette advise

  • Creator
    Topic
  • October 7, 2014 at 2:08 pm #22525
    gedsdad

    Hello, can anyone please advise which way to go with my current gearing? I ride a Ribble R872 with a triple 30/39/50 chainset and a rear 10 speed 12-25 cassette.
    Im having to drop to lowest gear to climb anything substantial, but its really slow and quite frankly graft…. People are passing me with ease, Just doesn’t seem the right set up for climbing.
    Rode a 100 mile sportive at the weekend, really struggled with hills, all advise welcome Cheers

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • October 8, 2014 at 6:17 pm #817115
    0
    Shanefutcher

    I run a compact 50/34
    I run a compact 50/34 chainring then got a 12-28 cassette.having a triple you should be able to climb walls with even a 25 on the back.if it is a long climb always try and start at a good tempo and keep 2 left in the block as long as u can in case u struggle

    October 8, 2014 at 12:48 pm #817113
    0
    glynr36

    gedsdad wrote: On the lowest

    gedsdad wrote:
    On the lowest gear it would be 30 on the chain set and 25 on the cassette, it just seems like i’m pedalling frantically and climbing slowly.

    Sounds like you’re under gearing yourself there, try starting further down the block and shifting into easier gears as you need them up the climb.

    October 8, 2014 at 10:48 am #817111
    0
    Rod Marton

    Your gearing should be
    Your gearing should be adequate to climb most hills, though you could fit a larger cassette (I always find it reassuring to have another lower gear, even if I rarely use it). I think the issue is probably technique. Everyone is different, but this works for me.
    At the bottom of the climb, don’t attack. Find a gear in which you can ride comfortably, similar cadence to that on the flat. Then drop one gear, keeping the same cadence. Then ride up, keeping in the saddle, remembering to turn the pedals rather than stomp on them. Then when you get near the top you can put in an extra effort and go past the riders who passed you at the bottom.

    October 8, 2014 at 10:47 am #817109
    0
    gedsdad

    Comments appreciated gents.
    Comments appreciated gents. On the lowest gear it would be 30 on the chain set and 25 on the cassette, it just seems like i’m pedalling frantically and climbing slowly.
    I train 3 times a week and constantly put hills in the workout, but I am new to road riding really, last few years mainly been MTB.
    I was contemplating that I may have bought a bike with the wrong gearing for what I actually require?

    October 8, 2014 at 8:46 am #817107
    0
    glynr36

    You’ve got a triple, I’d not
    You’ve got a triple, I’d not bother buying a wider range cassette really.
    If you’re struggling with a triple, no matter what you buy you’ll struggle.
    You need to train to get better, just eat well and ride, taking in climbs more (you don’t get better avoiding them).
    When you say drop into the lowest gear which one do you mean?
    You might be under gearing yourself too much as well.

    October 7, 2014 at 10:31 pm #817105
    0
    SteppenHerring

    If you have a triple then
    If you have a triple then your rear mech should take a pretty big cassette. Saying that, I am fat and unfit and I get up pretty much everything (eventually) on a 34/27 lowest gear – which is higher than 30/25.

    Do not be tempted into climbing as fast as possible. Learn to find your pace and an effort that you can sustain for the duration of the climb. Once you’ve done that then you can start to push slightly harder than this and improve.

    Oh, and ignore the pace others go up hills. It’s not helpful to try to chase down 9 stone whippets, just demoralising. Find your own pace.

    October 7, 2014 at 4:08 pm #817103
    0
    Simon E

    You could look at whether you
    You could look at whether you can fit a larger cassette; this is limited by your rear derailleur but most current ones will cope with 28 teeth, some 30 or even 32 teeth.

    More importantly, you need to get to better at riding hills. Losing weight can help but to get better at it you have to do it. Lots. There are thousands of articles in magazines and on the internet about how to climb hills but you should just eat healthily and ride your bike.

    Some people will tell you to spend money on upgrades but that won’t help you get up hills. If anyone says that the weight of your bike is holding you back they are lying.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.