[geneseo]

So I just got a new SS last week and have taken it out quite a bit already. So far it has been a blast. But I was wondering what gearing most of you all use on the FR trails. 32x16 seemed fine on Hall, but it was pretty brutal during the climb up Evergreen. I pretty much stood the whole way up. So I was wondering what people use around here and up in the mountains. Especially people who ride/race up in winter park. thanks.

 

[kitchenware]

Well, I'm not sure if a response from me is worth anything, as I can BARELY clean the rock garden up Hall on 32:18, a 16 would snap my back up the garden. I run 32:20 there and everywhere steeper (when I run SS). I like 32:18 for long mellow climbs, but I rarely encounter those. It really all comes down to how strong you/your knees are.

 

[DSR]

I quickly settled on 32:18 and have been very happy with it. There's so few flats around here that I never felt I needed more. If anything, I'd try a 19 just to take some pressure off the knees. S

 

[scrublover]

i'm with k-ware on this one. i was using a 32/18, but swapped to a 20t. works for me pretty well. did kenosha with it this morning. then again, i'm a spinner, not a masher.

maybe pick up an 18, and if it doesn't work for ya, then try a 19, then a 20........

 

[Carl Mega]

I ride 32X17 almost exclusively. I did the WP race series last year in this gear. It generally works for me. 32X18 for my normal riding is a bit to low for my tastes but I like to stand (and do so for most of my climbing) so the fact that I don't travel as far per stroke doesn't float my boat. 32X16 is doable but it's rough on my back over the long haul. Just one man's experience.

YMMV. I'm sure you'll find your gear over time. 32x18 might be a good place to start. Save the knees and back until you are conditioned for SSing.

Good luck.

 

[miSSfit]

So I just got a new SS last week and have taken it out quite a bit already. So far it has been a blast. But I was wondering what gearing most of you all use on the FR trails. 32x16 seemed fine on Hall, but it was pretty brutal during the climb up Evergreen. I pretty much stood the whole way up. So I was wondering what people use around here and up in the mountains. Especially people who ride/race up in winter park. thanks.

I run 34x18 which works great in the front range and mountains, but I do like 34x20 better for those long 4-8 hr. rides.

 

[32x18]

in the springs and else where

run 32x18 for normal riding here in the springs and on trips but i normally bump it up to 34x18 or 2:1 for races like the mountain states cup. biggest thing i have found, in racing, is being able to predict how well you can climb a given hill in a given gear so when in doubt i run 32x18 and i know i can clean just about anything.

 

[SDizzle]

Well, I'm not sure if a response from me is worth anything, as I can BARELY clean the rock garden up Hall on 32:18, a 16 would snap my back up the garden.

Hah! Agreed. I stand up the whole way everywhere I ride on a 32 x 19... I couldn't get down Hall on a 32 x 16. (OK, maybe so.....but still.) I'm switching to 32 x 20, I think.

Now, what to race the 24 Hrs of Moab with? Any gear suggestions?

 

[ibmkidIII]

3x9???

 

[Debaser]

3x9???

Yeah, I prefer an 11-34 in the back, and I REALLY like that 34... Although I'm intrigued by one gear, it scares me.

 

[kitchenware]

3x9???

It's all about the 1x9

 

[DSR]

Sdizzle - 24HOM SS gearing would be tricky. There are some pretty sustained climbs with some techy sections BUT there are also some longer flat sections, especially out around Prostitute Butte. I'd get a flip-flop rear hub. Run a 16-17 early and then switch to 18-19 or something at night or later in the race. This has been discussed and it's been concluded that a flip-flop is kosher for SS races. If you're running rear discs then it's a moot point. S

 

[Walt]

32x21

Although that's on a 29er. Translates to approximately 32x19 on a 26" wheel bike. You'll find that a lower gear is good around here - there's very little flat stuff, lots of steep climbing, and the descending generally doesn't require much (if any) pedaling.

For the July 25 race at WP, you'll want a little bigger gear, as it's got some flats and rolling stuff. For the mountain circuit races, low is good. I raced on my 32x21 a couple of weeks ago and had no real complaints.

-Walt

 

[Ichabod]

So I just got a new SS last week and have taken it out quite a bit already. So far it has been a blast. But I was wondering what gearing most of you all use on the FR trails. 32x16 seemed fine on Hall, but it was pretty brutal during the climb up Evergreen. I pretty much stood the whole way up. So I was wondering what people use around here and up in the mountains. Especially people who ride/race up in winter park. thanks.

34:18 here. If you pretty much stood the whole way up, and you don't mean stood next to your bike while walking it, you might be in the right gear.
As a general rule, because so much riding here is either up or down, I think it'd be better to run a gear that's too low and freewheel the descents than to run one that's too high and walk all the time.

 

[yetirich]

32x19 here. It seems good enough to climb up Chimney Gulch, Zorro and Green Mountain. I have used this gear at White Ranch and it hurt but since they have that new section of ST, it might not be as bad.

 

[SDizzle]

I have used this gear at White Ranch and it hurt but since they have that new section of ST, it might not be as bad.

White Ranch is still very hard, but it's mostly rideable. There's a bunch of stuff at the top that I could barely ride with granny-gears, and can't even fathom now, but it's not too bad of a walk! the most crippling part is psychological...all of those false-summits on the east side will properly crush your spirit.