[kendogg]

How much of a difference does one tooth make on an ss? I've been riding 34:18 (on a 26er) for a while now, and love how fast it is through open desert. However, on climbs, especially rougher ones, I tend to stall out or am spent when I get to the top. I was thinking of picking up a 19t freewheel. Will this make a pretty big difference, or will I now spin-out on the flatter stuff?.

 

[AZmtncycler]

You'll totally lose your speed on the flats

With a 32/19 combo.... You'll be spun out BIG time on any flat area. Good combo if all you do is climb but worthless for trails like Desert Classic. I went the other way down to 32/17 combo from a 32/18. Still trying to get stamina for this combo to obtain the best times during my training runs on DC.

 

[kendogg]

With a 32/19 combo.... You'll be spun out BIG time on any flat area. Good combo if all you do is climb but worthless for trails like Desert Classic. I went the other way down to 32/17 combo from a 32/18. Still trying to get stamina for this combo to obtain the best times during my training runs on DC.

I have a 34t ring. Which would be equivalent to your 32:17.... I think.

 

[AZmtncycler]

whoops!

Sorry, Need to adust the glasses I guess So.... Now that I've got that straight, I think you'll do just fine with the 34/19. Good compromise between speed and climbing ability. What trails do you spend most of your time SS'ing on?

 

[kendogg]

Sorry, Need to adust the glasses I guess So.... Now that I've got that straight, I think you'll do just fine with the 34/19. Good compromise between speed and climbing ability. What trails do you spend most of your time SS'ing on?

I use my ss on DC quite a bit, and can clear most of it. There is a short rocky climb out past the stone benches that I always stall out on with the ss. I can't carry enough speed into it because of the first step up, and it becomes impossible for me to keep the cranks turning. I guess I could just keep working at it though.

 

[AZmtncycler]

Not sure of location of rock benches

But I use DC pretty much exclusively for SS'ing. Usual training run is start at Ramadas and down past the water tank to 'secret trail' and loop that back to DC for return. No problems cleaning the entire trail with a 32/17 combo. Just can't quite beat my best times back when I was using the 32/18 gear combo. :madman: Just need to get stronger I guess

 

[kendogg]

But I use DC pretty much exclusively for SS'ing. Usual training run is start at Ramadas and down past the water tank to 'secret trail' and loop that back to DC for return. No problems cleaning the entire trail with a 32/17 combo. Just can't quite beat my best times back when I was using the 32/18 gear combo. :madman: Just need to get stronger I guess

The rock benches are past the secret trail, about 5.5 - 6 miles out. The climb I speak of is just before the split where you can climb the saddle up into the little swamp area/goat trail, or continue on till the end of dc.

 

[AZmtncycler]

got it!

The rock benches are past the secret trail, about 5.5 - 6 miles out. The climb I speak of is just before the split where you can climb the saddle up into the little swamp area/goat trail, or continue on till the end of dc.

yep, I know the area you're referring to. That is the challenging section of DC for a SS. The 34/19 combo would make it doable. Heck, you might even go for a 34/20 to see what your success rate would be for cleaning that section and then slowly back down to a 34/19 as you get better nailing it:thumbsup:

 

[AZ Mikey]

One bit of SS advice I remember reading from Shiggy - gear for the climbs and learn to spin.

I like 34x20 for Mormon/National stuff on SoMo, and 34x18 for flatter stuff like DC

Best thing to do is try changing and see what happens...

 

[cycljunkie]

I agree with Mike... Also consider running a shorter crank arm along with the climbing gear. From what I hear that trick will make an easier gear more manageable on the flats. I'm running a 34/18 on my 29'er SS and it's fine for DC but tough anywhere else...