advice needed on gearing

[john74]

im planning to do some 100k events but i only run a single chainring so my question is do you think i should run a 32t ring for the climbs or a 44t im also running 11-32t at the back any advice would be welcome. i would just like to add i prefer to spin up hills rather than grind my way up.

[D0m1n1c Burford]

im planning to do some 100k events but i only run a single chainring so my question is do you think i should run a 32t ring for the climbs or a 44t im also running 11-32t at the back any advice would be welcome. i would just like to add i prefer to spin up hills rather than grind my way up.

I think the 44T should be perfect.  This should give you an ideal range of gears for flat and hilly rides.  I think the 32T may be a bit too low, and you'll be spinning on the flats, never mind the hills.

[rogerzilla]

You only need ratios of 1:1 and below if you're carrying luggage or you expect hills steeper than 1 in 6, but they're nice to have.

[john74]

thats very helpful although im a bit of an idiot so im not sure what a 1:1 ratio is. please explain.

[MercuryKev]

An example of 1:1 would be a 32 chainring and a 32 cog or a 30 chainring, 30 cog etc.

[vorsprung]

If you have 32 at the back and 32 at the front then that is a 1:1 ratio

It depends how old, unfit and fat you are as to what gears might be appropriate

I am an 42 yr old, 2007 PBP finisher of 80kg / 6'2" and for hilly 100k a 66" single speed (42x17) is fine

For really steep hills and punishing rides I have a double 50x34 + 13-29 cassette

Your 11x32 gear would be approx 78" and your 32x32 would be 27" according to the defaults on the gear calculator

IMHO 27" is so low you may as well get off and walk unless the bike has lots of luggage on it

[john74]

ah i see thanks for explaining that. we learn something new everyday.

34 very unfit and fat so maybe 22t front 34t rear.

[border-rider]

Depends on the bike, and the rider...

I can get round most audaxs on a fixed, single 44x17 gear.  But on a hilly ride I'd go a lot lower  - maybe 44x19 or 20

But on my heavy old trike I have 36 and 28 rings on the front, 15-28 on the back.  I don't need more than 36x15 at the top end, but 28x28 is very useful at the bottom end

[Mr Larrington]

You only need ratios of 1:1 and below if you're carrying luggage or you expect hills steeper than 1 in 6, but they're nice to have.

Or lying down on the job...

[iakobski]

If you have 32 at the back and 32 at the front then that is a 1:1 ratio

... and your 32x32 would be 27" according to the defaults on the gear calculator

So a 1:1 ratio and a 27" wheel gives a 27" gear -- did you really need a calculator to work that one out?