[Dan001]

I am new at SS. I bought my first SS last May. Since we have a **** load of huge climb here, I started with 34 22 then changed to 34 20 I am now riding 34 18 but this is freakin hard now.

I am interested to see what others are riding?

Dan

 

[onepivot]

During good weather I use a 33x17 but have switched to 33x20 for winter riding. However, we've had too much snow here in Illinois to ride at all so my bike sits all clean & lonely in the garage.

 

[unit]

34 18 off road on a 29er

34 16 on road on the 29er (i run a dos eno free wheel)

Ken

 

[Homer Simpson]

32x18 on my 29er. It's a good all around gear ratio for me.

32x16 on my 26" bike. But I might go higher since this is more of a urban bike for me.

 

[Mr.Bob]

I am new at SS. I bought my first SS last May. Since we have a **** load of huge climb here, I started with 34 22 then changed to 34 20 I am now riding 34 18 but this is freakin hard now.

I am interested to see what others are riding?

Dan

32x20 on my 29er seems to give me just the right amount of "this is impossible" where I ride.

 

[hollister]

36-16 street 26"
32-16 mountain 26"
39-17 cyclocross

 

[Mudflaps]

Out here in western Oregon, the climbs tend to be ~3000 ft on five-six mile climbs. Most folks are using 34/20 while some others are using 34/21, 32/20. Mine is a 34/21, and I have a background of being a spinner, and just don't have huge muscle mass.
I am fairly new to SSing, but have 20 yrs of MTBing behind me, after 15 yr of spinning along on road bikes before that. I wouldn't want a taller gear for this area. I'd like to keep my knees.

 

[cMc]

34x20 on the heavy one
32x18 on the light one

 

[gatman]

32x18 for most of the time
32x20 winter
32x16 for mainly flat trails
42x20 road

 

[cmatcan]

anybody know what gear travis brown usually runs? i heard he runs some insane tough gear. whats the hardest gear youve ever had on your ss? easiest??

 

[usr666]

36x16 usually when dry out (ride this gear most of the time)
36x20 snow covered or super muddy
36x18 not dry, not super muddy, no snow

 

[FoShizzle]

32/20 most of the time....32/22 for more pure XC stuff

analagous on my 29er: 32/22 most of the time....32/20 for pure XC without gnarly steep rocky climbs

 

[marsb]

32 18 for me (and I'm not afraid to stop and rest!). I find WV hills too much for me at the 2:1 standard.

 

[Fast Freddy]

I have on there now a 36x19... but have a 21, 20, 19, 18, and 16.... but the 19 is the most popular currently.... and that's my 26" SS

FF

(my road fixie is a 46x18)

 

[positron]

26inch mtb:
34x16 Normal Riding
34x18 Solo 24s

Fixed Road (700c):
50x17/18 Hills
50x16 Commute
50x15 Track Racing

 

[Upchuck]

32/19 in winter
32/18 in spring
32/17 in summer
32/18 in fall
32/16 when in shape

 

[Menso]

mashing uphill here

anybody know what gear travis brown usually runs? i heard he runs some insane tough gear. whats the hardest gear youve ever had on your ss? easiest??

38x16 on my SASS. I can climb almost anything, in fact my fastest climbs are on this bike--though that may be because it is rigid therefore more efficient. I have found that as long as I can get the pedals to turn over, it doesn't really matter how heavy I gear. It does make tech climbs hard.
Its definately my favorite bike, over my 1x9 jumping/fun bike. I never spin out on the road. I think I can cruise at around 18mph comfortably.
oh, and a long bike and bar ends help a lot fpr climbs. I'll try to get a pic when it's light out.

 

[Dan001]

Thank you all for your reply.

It seems that a lot of you are riding a 32 instead of 34.Is the rational clearance? My bike came with a front already set up at 34. Would I have a better feel and be able to ride more technical if I go down to 32?

Dan

 

[unit]

run what ya brung

clearance? no i doubt anyone will give that as a reason. it would give you a whopping 2mm or so clearance. I think there is a migration by some to run smaller gears front and rear for various reasons. If you need a new ring that is one thing, but why replace it if you can get the ratio you need with what ya ardy got.

I brought up the dos eno as an interresting option that few have discussed here much. its a double freewheel that you can swap the chain when you switch from trails to street. sort of like a flip flop hub only you dont have to move the wheel as much. not perfect but i like it.

gears are a personal preference...Id say you shnould not get sucked into any ideas that you ought to push a really hard gear for macho reasons, or a really easy gear to 'improve your spin'.....both are bad ideas in my estimation (I have also heard this from several physiologists, and biomechanics experts)....run what you prefer...unfortunately that means trying a bunch of ratios and usually buying a few you wont end up using....a good LBS may let you borrow freewheels that are 'laying around' with the idea that you will buy your final ratio there....there are many good reasons to support your LBS and develop a relationship with them....this is one.

ride on

Ken

 

[marc-e]

i live in salt lake city and run 36 x 20 on my sass, which is pretty hard on sustained climbs of which there are many. i tried many combinations in the 1.65:1 to 2:1 range, as does everyone, 32/16, 17, 18 and 19 and 34/18, 19 and 20 and so on...36/20 runs the drive train smoothest for me and i just have to work harder which is kind of the point for me. luckily, my experimentation in gearing has left me with a sizable collection of cogs and rings, so when we travel, i can easily adjust to new conditions, though so far, few areas have been stouter than home. i have a fixed mtb commuter as well and i run 38 x 14 and live in the foothills where i use the pedal momentum as "power assist" on climbs.

marc

oops, didn't see the last thread about clearance, sorry...up to 38t in the front doesn't seem to matter to much and wrt drivetrain wear, mo' teeth seems better...