Help needed re gearing

[fisherr]

Hi guys,

 

Could you help guide me with regard to the following?

 

I have been given the option of buying a bike for a good price with the following gearing ratio 53/39 - 12/25 (11 speed).  I know on my Boardman I am running a 50/34 - 11/32 (9 speed) bar loosing weight and training my legs hard as an amateur is the 53/39 - 12/25 going to be a none goer re hill climbing in Wales/Lake District.

 

Sorry if I sound like an amateur (but I am one)

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Richard

[TonyS]

Briefly, no! On the other hand, we all have the same bottom gear of 24 inches aka two feet :-)

Seriously, you'll be walking up Lake District climbs unless you're very young and very fit. You could replace the cassette with a bigger bottom sprocket but unless you replace the 53/39 with a compact then you're still going to struggle. That of course would negate any saving you get doing a deal on the new bike.

On second thoughts, when I was your age I toured Wales and also Devon and Cornwall on something like 46x23, complete with saddlebag. Ah, we were tough then, eh lads? :-)

[fisherr]

Hi Tony,

Really appreciate the feedback. The bike I was looking at was a Ridley Helium SL. It is a second hand team bike from Lotto Belisol being sold by Merlin Cycles.

Thanks again

[TonyS]

Richard, don't let me put you off getting the bike if you really want it. After all, you could still use the Boardman to go round the Fred Whitton Challenge. Pose factor not as good, but passing other folk walking up Hardknott definitely scores points! Just remember to get out of the saddle on the steepest bits, otherwise you'll have the front wheel over your head

[ChrisP]

Hi Richard,

 

for the sportives I've ridden this year I still use a 39/52  chain set and 10 speed cassette 12/27 or 12/30.

The 30 sprocket runs OK with a short rear gear hanger.

Only use the big ring down hill and with the wind.

Not to sure about climbing in the Lake District but ok for the Malverns, Cotswold, Ludlow and into Wales.

 

The Ridley looks great may be pick up a cheap compact if needed.

 

regards,

Chris

[Mick Hazlewood]

Hi Richard,

If you are buying the Ridley direct from Merlin you could always ask them to change the chainset for you

and at what cost bearing in mind if it's a new bike they could put the 53/39 chainset into stock.

Alternatively purchase the bike, buy and sell chain sets on EBay and you won't loose any money as

regards cassette you can purchase a new one with bigger sprockets for really hilly sportive and swop

when required.

I have a Ridley road bike and find it an excellent machine where I run a compact chainset with two pairs

of wheels, one with 12/21 and the other with 12/27. Climb anything.

Mick.

[bgbob]

Hi Richard

 

On hilly terrain like the alps,

I use a compact 56/42 up front and a 11-17T seven speed rear with wide spacing so I can fit a motorbike chain

 

On flat terrain,

I use a single 11T on rear and a modified steel dustbin lid up front with about 200T.

 

If you decide to use this combination, make sure you lift your saddle up otherwise you will give yourself a nasty injury ...

One advantage of this combination is that at the recommended 90/100 rpm you will be doing twice the speed of sound!

 

Big Gear Bob :Christmas Smile:

[Mick Hazlewood]

You are Unique. BGB.

[Sean Barker]

:lol2Xmas: @ Bob

[Mrs DAVIES]

I once rode the lake district on a 52/42. Probably because I didn't know any better!

I had to dig deep and stand on the climbs.

Realised they were double arrowed when I returned to Ambleside and consulted the map.

Love my compact now!