>20% gradients pop up in pro road racing only occasionaly. I don't know about you, but if I were a pro I would maybe want something lower than a 34x27/28. This reminds me of the first time the Vuelta went up the Angliru and a good number fitted triples. You could of course do that more easily then, but that is not the case with modern electronic shift systems.

My ideal gear for a >20% is about a 26 chainring x 29 sprocket.

there's a couple of 20-25% short hills near me the gradient only stays fierce fo 50-150m max. I would rather avoid them all together to be honest!

The lowest gear I have on my bikes is 39-29, and you can grind up it, but I'd take a 36 upfront if I could

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I have the 2010 Worlds course literally on my doorstep, you can Challambra with a standard. God, Gilbert went up it in the big ring!

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We have plenty of 20% gradients out there and even with a 36-25 I can't do them at over 45 RPM at 350w or so. There's a reason Cobo went with a 34-32 last year....

34-28 is good for me up to 24%.

After that it becomes very interesting.

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I have just recently put a Sram 12/32 on the rear with a 34/50 upfront. Its opened a whole load more roads around my local area! (Yorkshire Dales). (However I am 6'3" and weigh approx 220lbs!!)

Sram WiFli ROCKS!

Ride an awful lot of 20% gradients on my local loops ( edge of Dartmoor ), with the occasional 25% thrown in for good measure.
Used to ride a 39-25, but saw the light and now ride a 34-28 and certainly wouldn't want to go back!

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I've got 34/29. Mind you it's slinky Chorus, i havn't used the 29 yet, hope it's enough for the 'nees.

When I watched it on TV it didnt really look that steep. I really didnt know it was that bad. The pros make it all look so easy.
I rode the Tourmalet a few years ago on a compact and I remember seeing a few pros in the big ring on the TV.

I had tried some 25%+ gradients, where actually having the front wheel on the road was a challenge, and at the same time I could hear the rear tires slipping (squeaking) too.
All at very slow speeds, of course and very low cadance.

It's just silly. No fun. I say 10-15% is hard enough to race on.

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

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You're doing it wrong.

The grade is one part of the equation, how long said grade means more to me. I can struggle but retain some dignity on a 22 percent for perhaps 1/2 mile. I did one that was approx 1 mile at 22 percent but went to 24 for the next mile. and suffered like a pig, almost lost my lunch in fact, I was using a 36x25. Going to a 34x29 was better, left something in my legs for the next climb. Average speed was better as well. Still not close to being easy

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I think the Tourmalet is ~10%

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With modern gearing it's becoming less and less of an issue to be honest.

Witness Contador running SRAM WiFli and others running compacts with 32's on the back.

On the Zoncolan in 2010 Basso rode 36/29.

With pro's running 34/30 and smaller this year, it should not be a surprise that lesser mortals are best served by MTB gearing.

On the Tre Cime earlier this Summer, I was running a 34/25. Riding tempo, I was putting out 4 w/kg and my cadence was down to 35 rpm. Not efficient.

Modern gearing means that pros seem to be able to ride more or less anything in France like a flat TT with the correct bike setup. We need gradients that make a difference IMHO, and anything above 20% sure does that!