Weight Weenies

34x27/28 is low enough for anything. You certainly don't need to go that low however steep, even around 20%. As long as such gradients aren't the norm you just make do. Simpson really didn't need 32 on the rear.

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horse wrote:34x27/28 is low enough for anything. You certainly don't need to go that low however steep, even around 20%. As long as such gradients aren't the norm you just make do. Simpson really didn't need 32 on the rear.

I disagree. 20% is efing steep. There is one hill that steep local to me and although it is quite short (~300m I guess) it's challenging for most. I find a 34/25 gets me up it but its difficult. If it was much longer I doubt that a 27 would be low enough. By comparison there is a longer climb (~2km) that maxes at ~18% that has stopped me 3 times. I'm an older guy with max hr ~174 but light and fit. A 34/29 doesn't seem outrageously low to me for alpine riding. I'm sure I'd use it if I had it when the alternative is testing my max hr.

Of course if you're talking about pros that's different.

Given the name of the topic, that'd be fair assumption...

34/29 is yer golden ticket, as I explained in my 'shot down in flames' pyrenean venture link.

Tinea Pedis wrote:

UKpaul wrote:Would seem I don't know what I'm on about then.

Agreed

It is a prick of a ramp tho...

I love how people in here are saying such and such gear is too high or too low when Wiggins, Cobo, Leipheimer, Contador, et al have ALL used and won stages on compact cranks with 29-32 cassettes in the rear. It apparently works...

The 34x32 low gear of a standard compact + sram apex is really nice for some long, steep climbs. I can definitely see how it can help a climber like Contador who spins away

There's a difference between just making it up a climb, and racing up it. We have some stretches here of 6-700m above 20%, and while plenty can make it up (only just), not many can race it...

Do they same climb multiple times in different gears. Measure strava times or power output. Pick best gearing.

I think one of the advantages is saving the legs a stage race. For example, Contador running 34 inner + Wifli during the last week of the Vuelta whilst Purito was running the 39 inner definitely made a difference.

Interestingly, Rob Hayles on the ToB yesterday mentioning he prefers 53/42 for UK Premier Calendar races..

What sucks is getting to the half way point of said climbs and shifting to a lower gear only to realize that you are already in it. I'll even glance back at the cassette in disbelief...but there's reality staring right back at you. Fun ain't it!

+1 Mellowjohny, I think whether we admit it or not, we have probably all done that.

Austke

mellowJohnny wrote:What sucks is getting to the half way point of said climbs and shifting to a lower gear only to realize that you are already in it. I'll even glance back at the cassette in disbelief...but there's reality staring right back at you. Fun ain't it!

haha yup, been there too many times. it's like staying seated, max hr, 100% power, grinding 60 cadence.... ughhhh

That's when you get off and walk.
It might be a lot quicker. Think about it.

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stella-azzurra wrote:That's when you get off and walk.
It might be a lot quicker. Think about it.

i did that up baldy, in 39/26. it was painful, but just kept on destorying my legs haha. i was looking forward to that decent.