52/34 Gear Combination

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2lo8
Posts: 551
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:32 am

by 2lo8

havana wrote:People in need of a 34 will never need a 52.

This is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.


52/42/30 triple
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jih
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by jih

2lo8 wrote:52/42/30 triple


But those were in the days where to get a wide range you'd have a 13t small cog, like the Campag 13-28 cassette. It made sense to have a 52 big to get the top gear a bit higher. These days cassettes like 11-28, 11-30, 11-32 let you get a high enough top gear for almost everyone.

Afterall, 50x11 is still a decent high gear. It's higher than the 53x12 that we were all using not all that long ago.

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2lo8
Posts: 551
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:32 am

by 2lo8

Clearly you hate close gear ratios.
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Hexsense
Posts: 3270
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Location: USA

by Hexsense

I think 52 and 50 is not that different. It's only 4% or (averagely) half the difference between 1 gear in the back.
If 52/34 cross chain badly. 50/34 would not be really better. It's only half a gear easier so at most one less position shifting.

Reversed is also true though, 4% higher cadence for the same speed doesn't bother me much at all. Either way is fine.

addictR1
Posts: 1878
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:11 am

by addictR1

thank you guys and the OP for starting this thread. just installed the QRing 34T to my QXL 52T. shifts flawlessly on the bike stand. will test climb with it tomorrow.

since i have YAW FD and wifli in the rear with 11/32 (10sp), i noticed with 52T, i can only shift up to 22t in the rear. i know its not good to cross chain, but would help if i can get a bit more gear if needed? so if i use wolftooth road link or wolftooth extended b screw or extend the chain a couple links more... would that be possible?

SRAM 11-32: 11-12-13-15-17-19-22-25-28-32

Aeo
Posts: 668
Joined: Wed May 25, 2016 2:06 am

by Aeo

Running fully automatic Synchroshift on 6870 with 52/34. Adjusted the steps manually in the e-tubes app, shifts flawlessly.


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addictR1
Posts: 1878
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:11 am

by addictR1

ok just did a test climb today and got new PR. funny thing is running QXL 52 & QRing 34 with 11/32 back.. i was able to climb using a 34/28 combo and keeping a cadence of 70 with 200w vs before 36/28, i was grinding around 58-60rpm and while wattage is higher.. my legs end up dying before reaching to the top.

shinjiwoon
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:18 am

by shinjiwoon

I've seen occasional errors in hard transmissions.

commendatore
Posts: 273
Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:51 am
Location: North Carolina

by commendatore

Interesting thread. I've been clinging to my 50/34 because I prefer a high cadence, especially when climbing. The 34 proves great in the hills but I've been racing flat crits lately and the 50 doesn't seem to be enough anymore.

Shrike
Posts: 2019
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:08 pm

by Shrike

Also installed the 34Q to my 52Q last week. Only had it on the trainer though the past week, haven't been out on it. Seems to shift fine though. Been a while since I've had a 34 on, really looking forward to testing it on some hard gradients, see if it scores me some PRs.

Fingers crossed it's not a mess :D

JScycle
Posts: 260
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:41 pm

by JScycle

The reason I asked this question is that for the 1 or 2 occasions a year I want easier gearing I could just put a cheap ultegra inner ring on without having to match it with a really expensive outer ring. Thanks all for your comments..

addictR1
Posts: 1878
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:11 am

by addictR1

commendatore wrote:Interesting thread. I've been clinging to my 50/34 because I prefer a high cadence, especially when climbing. The 34 proves great in the hills but I've been racing flat crits lately and the 50 doesn't seem to be enough anymore.


maybe a 52/34 is in order? ;)

BigPoser
Posts: 172
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:42 pm

by BigPoser

I'm kind of in the same boat here. My GT Grade came with a 52/36 up front and a 11-32 in the rear. I was going to change the front rings to a 50/34, but after seeing this thread, maybe I'll just change my inner to the 34 and call it good.

Will a 52/34 work with a 11-32 in the rear? I could always get the Wolftooth add on and they I can possibly go up to a 36 in the rear.

This is for my gravel bike that will occasionally be used for fondos.

addictR1
Posts: 1878
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:11 am

by addictR1

If you are currently able to shift into 32t in the rear.. Changing the front inner to 34t won't cause any issue.

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Cannoli
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by Cannoli

Aeo wrote:
Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:56 am
Running fully automatic Synchroshift on 6870 with 52/34. Adjusted the steps manually in the e-tubes app, shifts flawlessly.


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Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I've recently switched a DA 52/36 to a 52/34 for my wife's bike, to include a 11-32 cassette. In semi-syncro mode, did you find that two shifts of the RD was sufficient when shifting the front, or is three shifts more appropriate with the wider gearing range? Or did you even try semi-syncro?

Also, any long term issues with your 52/34 setup?

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